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.

DRC fitting in nice in Philadlephia

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has only been with his new team, the Philadelphia Eagles, a few days but he is happy and already feeling settled in, according to his father Stan Cromartie.

DRC is not worried about the long-jam some might see at the Eagles cornerback position. They signed Nnamdi Asomugha a few days after getting DRC and already have Asante Samuel.

DRC is not worried about the competition and the team seems to believe he would be the better guy to move into the slot when the Eagles go to their nickel package (5 defensive backs). He also volunteered to take the slot.

With Asomugha and Samuel covering the corners, DRC’s speed, size and athleticism make him all the more valuable. It’s a better fit than what he had in Arizona and he apparently knows it.

As a nickel back you won’t be starting, but you see a lot of playing time. At 25, DRC is younger than Samuel and Asomugha (both 30). It also might add some years to his career.

Samuel still hasn’t reported to camp because of personal reasons and some speculate he might be traded. If only for money, it makes more sense to keep DRC because his contract doesn’t carry the same dollar signs as Samuel and Asomugha.

Samuel allowed 3.2 yards per pass attempt in his direction last year and was first in the league in his success rate (78 percent), which is the percentage of passes that don’t manage to get at least 45 percent of the needed yardage on first down and 60 percent of needed yardage on second down or 100 percent of needed yardage on third down, according to Football Outsiders.

Of course, there are lots of factors that go into these numbers, like which cornerbacks are covering the other team’s number one receivers. The quality of a team’s overall defense and who a quarterback is picking on. But it makes for good conversation.

DRC not worried about sudden crowded cornerback situation at Philadelphia

Less than 24 hours after Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie was traded to Philadelphia he learned the Eagles acquired another cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha, considered by many to be the top free agent in the 2011 sweepstakes.

The Eagles already have cornerback Asante Samuel and three being a crowd, particularly at cornerback, it appears somebody is going to be traded or become a nickel back, which neither Rodgers-Cromartie or Samuel wants.

It appears despite being a multiple Pro Bowler, Samuel is the odd man out. The Eagles want to get young in the secondary and he is 30 years old while Rodgers-Cromartie just turned 25 last April.

Stan Cromartie, Dominique’s dad, said he doesn’t think the Cardinals traded for his son to be a nickel back, but admits you never know.

Dad has heard Samuel could go to the Cardinals. The New York Jets, who lost out in the Asomugha sweepstakes, is reportedly interested in him.

Stan Cromartie said his son is taking everything in stride. He doesn’t rattle and most of all realizes this is all part of the business. Samuel has been given permission not to report to camp and has not shown up yet.

Philadelphia General Manager Howie Roseman and head coach Andy Reid have dodged questions about how the Eagles are going to deal with three starting caliber quarterbacks.

Philadephia has a new defensive coordinator in Juan Castillo and he is said to prefer young guys who are not set in their way and can learn from him. That certainly fits Rodgers-Cromartie and not Samuel.

Another plus, Rodgers-Cromartie also has a much lighter contract to handle than Samuel.

Rodgers-Cromartie okay wth trade to Eagles

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is okay with going to the Philadelphia Eagles if his much talked about trade takes place, according to his father.

Stan Cromartie, former Southeast High basketball great, said he talked with Dominique's today and his son realizes it's a business and has no apprehension.

Rodgers-Cromartie, who played for Lakewood Ranch High, is reported to be going to Philadelphia for quarterback Kevin Kolb. The Eagles are also asking for a first round draft pick, which is one of the reasons the deal is being delayed, Stan Cromartie believes.

"I talked to my son's agent Eugene Parker a little while ago and he told me that the first person the Eagles asked for in a potential trade for Kolb was my Dominique," Stan Cromartie said. "Arizona feels they are already giving Philadelphia a number one pick in Dominique because that is what he was (selected 16th overall in the 2008 draft).

"Dominique just wants to play football. He understands this is a business and anything can happen at anytime. The Cardinals want a QB and the Eagles say they want Dominique. I don't think Arizona will give up another first round pick.

"Whatever happens, Dominque is grateful to Arizona because they made his dream come true. Wherever the ship falls, he is ready to play football. Deion Sanders played for five NFL teams."

Rodgers-Cromartie signed a five year, $15.1 million contract that includes $9 million guaranteed with Arizona. He was Pro Bowl selection in the 2009 season, but was unable to play because of an injury.

Rodgers-Cromartie looks impressive

If Arizona Cardinals defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is not at one-hundred percent, the other teams in the NFL could be in for a rough time.

The Lakewood Ranch graduate says he is still not fully recovered from knee surgery and a subsequent toe injury he suffered during the off season.

However, the third year pro has been impressive during the first week of training camp, showing his knack for breaking up passes and coverage skills. Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald praised Rodgers-Cromartie after going against him in practice, noting how physical he is despite his slender 6-2, 185 pound frame.

The 24-year-old Rodgers-Cromartie is coming off a Pro Bowl season where he showed he has a lot more going for himself than his 4.29 speed in the 40-yard dash. He and Fitzgerald got into a spirited physical encounter during drills on Monday.

The 6-2, 218 pound Fitzgerald is a two time first team All Pro (’08 and ‘09), four time Pro Bowler and was selected the Pro Bowl MVP last season when he caught 97 passes for 1,092 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Washington practices, but no contact allowed

Recovering from two off season surgeries, Baltimore Ravens cornerback Fabian Washington received some good news Friday when he was taken off the physically-unable-to-perform list (PUP).

The former Bayshore High standout took part in afternoon drills his first day back, but is not allowed to get involved in any contact. He had surgery for a torn ACL in his left knee and a bulging disc in his neck. The ACL is the one that concerns team officials.

The Ravens have been hit hard in their secondary with injuries and are trying to bring Washington along slowly so he won’t have any setbacks and be ready sometime during the first quarter of the season. The cornerback suffered the ACL injury in the 12th game last season.

The Ravens lost cornerback Domonique Foxworth to a torn ACL on Thursday making their situation at the position even worse, but team officials insist as bad as they need and want Washington they don’t want to rush the 27-year-old.

Another Baltimore cornerback, Ladarius Webb, is also coming back from knee surgery. The Ravens also have a question mark at safety where six-time pro bowler Ed Reed is recovering from hip surgery.

Washington spent some time this summer working out at IMG with hometown buddies Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie and Mike Jenkins and said he felt ready to go. However conventional wisdom is not to rush things with an injury of his type.