Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie explains Eagles defense's unflattering reputation around the NFL
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie speaks to friends around the NFL who share with him the reputation of the Eagles defense. It's not flattering.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie explains Eagles defense's unflattering reputation around the NFL
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie speaks to friends around the NFL who share with him the reputation of the Eagles defense. It's not flattering.
“Everybody looks at us as a pretty defense,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “They’re just big guys with big talent that don’t really want to hit nobody.”
The comments come after two games in which opponents easily moved the ball against the Eagles and tackling has been an issue. He said opposing players tell him, "You guys are talented, but you all don't want to hit nobody."
Asked if that reputation is fair, Rodgers-Cromartie said, "When I look at film, it's fair."
He said the Eagles must play more physical and that teams are obvious with their gameplans.
"Teams are going to line up and probably run the ball my way and throw the ball over there at Nnamdi in some dink-and-dunk type of stuff," Rodgers-Cromartie said.
He added that the Eagles are seeing more passes to the flat and screen passes because they play the Wide-9. He admitted it occurs more against the Eagles and that offenses will do it until the Eagles can stop it.
“It’s working. Why not?" Rodgers-Cromartie said. "That’s one thing about this league. Until you fix it, it’s always going to show itself.”
In his time in Philadelphia, Rodgers-Cromartie has seen teams get excited to play the Eagles. Even with the team struggling, he anticipates that continuing.
“We’re the Philadelphia Eagles, so we’re going to get their best shot," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "Because you know what this program and what this team’s history is, winning and just being a dominant team. So everybody wants to beat the Philadelphia Eagles.”
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- Andy Reid running back LeSean McCoy (illness) will be back practicing on Friday.
- Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder said there will be no surgery for Todd Herremans right now. He might need surgery in four weeks, but it's still not likely.
- Andy Reid said he isn't likely to list guard Danny Watkins (hamstring) as out. Watkins will likely be a game-time deicison.
- Reid said running back Chris Polk (toe) will be out for Sunday.
He's a straight-shooter.
— Roger Podacter- "this team’s history is, winning and just being a dominant team.." Last championship; 52 years ago!
DRC is right. They are just that....pretty. All flash and no substance.- If Lurie was not sitting in front of matchmaker.com all day he would throw 7 figures at Dawk, put him on the sidelines and make the D walk off the field and have to look him in the eye after their shift.— Earl J
- Does he need other teams to tell him this. DO THEY need to hear that ? Will they do anything about it ? This team is awful. Over paid....SOFT...not heart and done...just like its coach.— RealizticFan
- Dink and dunk on Nnamdi's side? More like go routes that lead to a big play TD on his side. This team lacks talent. There isn't a single player on this team that will generate a serious Pro Bowl vote not-a-one.— lonewolf 10
- Easily fixable. Hire concrete Charlie as the D coordinator.— Grazman
- he new agreement between the union and league limiting hitting is the culprit and affects more teams than others. The coaching staff presumes they are professional players and senses they will tackle on their own but I have never seen more missed tackles in the 55 years I have been watching the Eagles. These guys are looking to avoid contact or the pain that might come with wrapping people up. Bambi legged runners are running right through their tackles. Whimps is what they have become, over paid, whimps.— Lou Christine
- Philly...your just a whack job with no sense of playing with heart! Glad I don't live in Philly...I feel bad for all you people who cry so much!— MRD
- It sounds like DRC just called himself and the rest of his buds punks.— Shemp Howard
- Lurie should take up movie making again. He could update the Titanic theme....— hipdaddy
- Matchmaker.com? ... I think you meant to say....JDate.— JL68
- Fix yourself first then share those comments
The comments are accurate but the messenger is just as culpable— connorjr - Wow, an honest assessment. He has been just as guilty as the rest of the team of being soft. He is never the first one to initiate contact, makes Asante look like L.T! Although I think it's interesting that he said other teams are going to pick on Namdi— yourdaddy!
