G-Men welcome back DRC ‘with open arms’
EAST RUTHERFORD » Winning on the football field inevitably eases frustrations in a locker room. In the Giants’ case, Sunday night’s crucial 23-10 victory at Denver made for a seamless return of a respected veteran playmaker.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is back, and all parties appear ready to move forward.
The 10-year veteran cornerback was upbeat and contrite as he spoke candidly Wednesday for the first time since being suspended last week for leaving team facilities after what he called an episode of “miscommunication.” Head coach Ben McAdoo reinstated him Tuesday.
“To be honest, Coach (Ben McAdoo) called me up and he said some things. I kind of didn’t agree with it, and I handled it the wrong way,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “But at the end of the day, that’s on me. So the suspension, I take that. All I can do is work back, try to get back in good graces with the guys. I’m just glad they didn’t turn from me, they accepted me and I’m just back working, man.”
During the previous Sunday’s home loss to the Chargers, Rodgers-Cromartie said he tweaked his foot mid-game and that there was a misunderstanding of the injury’s severity. Rodgers-Cromartie felt he was healthy enough to play, but the team held him out with Los Angeles’ offense driving in the fourth quarter.
Rodgers-Cromartie let his emotions loose by throwing his helmet on the sideline and retreating to the locker room before returning late in the game.
Last Tuesday, McAdoo informed him that as discipline, he would still practice but be inactive for the Denver game. Rodgers-Cromartie objected and left the building Wednesday morning, prompting McAdoo to suspend him indefinitely without pay. The two met again this Tuesday. “That was good, man. It probably went good because we got the win,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “(McAdoo) had a big smile on his face. He just said, “Hey, stuff happens. I get it, man. But from this forward on, man, you’ve just got to come back, work your way back in and get back in good grace.’ And I understand that.”
Staying brief on the topic, McAdoo said he is “absolutely” confident that any issues with RodgersCromartie are in the past.
“It’s great to have DRC back,” McAdoo said. “Had a lot of energy. Welcomed him back with open arms.”
That was evident after McAdoo’s press conference in the locker room. Defensive tackle Damon Harrison teased RodgersCromartie during his interview, and others spoke glowingly about the return of one of their leaders.
Despite reportedly clearing out his locker after leaving last Wednesday, Rodgers-Cromartie responded “hell nah” when asked if he considered requesting a trade from the Giants.
“We’re happy that he’s back. It’s a blessing,” strong safety Landon Collins said. “We just told him, ‘Man, we love you, man. Glad you came back and decided to stay with us.’”
Rodgers-Cromartie, a two-time Pro Bowler who signed a five-year deal with the Giants in 2014, said those feelings “definitely, definitely made me feel good” upon his return to the locker room.
“I tell them, man, ‘I’m just glad y’all didn’t let my distraction make y’all get unfocused,’” he said. “One thing about this locker room, man, when I come in here, I light it up, man. I’m an animated guy. I’m not saying that I can’t be replaced, but what I did was wrong and I admit that. As long as I admit that, I ain’t running from it, I’m good.”