Rodgers-Cromartie has reduced role in Eagles opener

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie saw a reduced role in his playing time in the Philadelphia Eagles season opener against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

The Lakewood Ranch product, who has been used to playing nearly every down on defense since he came into the NFL as a first round draft pick by Arizona (16th overall) in 2008, played in less than a third of the defensive snaps.

Rodgers-Cromartie is part of a cornerback tandem that now includes the highly touted Nnamdi Asomugha, who came over from Oakland and long time Eagle Asante Samuel.

DRC’s reduced playing time was due in part to the fact that the Eagles were in their nickel package on only 20 of 66 defensive snaps. But apparently that is his role right now.

DRC was on the field for 19 plays. He got beat one time for 18 yards on a third and 10, but otherwise accounted well for himself. The 25-year-old covered the slot on 18 of those snaps.

Samuel had a penalty that gave St. Louis a first down and missed an easy opportunity for an interception late in the game. He was at left corner the entire game.

Asomugha was flagged for a 41-yard pass interference call and got beat for a 31-yard completion another time. Those were the only two times St. Louis threw against him.