Rodgers-Cromartie explains sideline rant
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Rodgers-Cromartie explains sideline rant
Jonathan Tamari
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie lost his cool on the sideline Monday night, pointing at teammates, having a heated talk with defensive coordinator Juan Castillo and stalking away to kneel by himself.
His rant came in the fourth quarter and was the latest and most visible example of how the speedy cornerback has failed to find a good fit on his new team. Rodgers-Cromartie was victimized over and over again by the Bears, including on one early play when he appeared to give up as Earl Bennett caught a pass and continued running for a 14-yard gain, the Eagles safeties stopping him instead of Rodgers-Cromartie.
When he came to the sideline in the fourth quarter, Rodgers-Cromartie was confronted by Castillo, appeared to point to his secondary teammates on on the bench, then moved away from them. Nnamdi Asomugha and then Andy Reid came to calm him down.
"I got frustrated on a play that I should have known was coming and instead I did something else, so you know I kind of went off. (Shoot), I was mad, it was in the heat of the moment, (stuff) is going to happen."
Asked if it was a blown assignment, Rodgers-Cromartie said, "it was a blown assignment, frustrated the way the night was going, all that tied into it."
On the play that he appeared to stop playing, he explained:
"I tapped the ball and when I tapped it I felt the ball hit my hands so I thought I knocked it down, but evidently it tapped it into his hands and I didn’t realize it until he was tackled."
Rodgers-Cromartie was supposed to be a Pro Bowl-level cornerback, but he has not performed well and has yet to contribute a big play. At times he appears to run away from tackles.
Part of his play seems due to his struggle adjusting to playing in the slot, but the Eagles have worked to put him on the outside, where he is more experienced, and Rodgers-Cromartie has still not performed.
"I’m a way better corner than I’m playing," he said.
That's what the Eagles thought when they traded for him.
Report Card: Grade the Eagles
Is it just me or was Asomugha beat on every ball thrown in his direction? He looked horrible and thoroughly confused. Chicago converted on 5 3rd and 8 or longer situations. Most were Earl Bennett burning Asomugha. Pathetic.— RickPhilly- I really don't know what kind of coaach Castillo is, but he didn't aquire those players. Coaches need to coach, but in the end, the players need to play. Fry, Iggles, Fry.— ewils
- Before we crucify him, let's ask ourselves about Numbi, or babin or that all pro NO talent core of linebackers, or an O-line that allows Michael to get killed....This is a team of NON talented players selected by a coach who still thinks light and fast can beat big tough mean stud players and a huge running back.....Andy selected them, Andy coached them, Andy picked the coaching staff....and if it wasn't for Dallas's stupidity in their defensive game plan.....we would not even have that win......It is time Jeffery.....Man up....like our o-line and d-line and linebackers NEVER did.....— nuggett
- Looking at those Chicago players, every one of them should be tested for HGH and steroids.— Eagle_1960
- Just a stupid excuse, the Bears are the better team... — RelaxAndTakeNotes
- Give me a break, this defense sucks because Castillo continually gets outcoached and because, to his defense, the linebackers are a joke. Two fundamental questions: 1) Why are these dynamic, shut down corners constantly playing a damn zone and 2) why go to the wide-9 when your starting linebackers might not start for Temple? Matt Forte had 45-yards rushing on this first three carries on the road, ridiculous. And ladies and gentlemen, Mike Vick is average at throwing the ball.— steve1970
- Eagles are by far the most underperforming team in the NFL in the last 50 years!— dwightmlee
- i rather have Antonio Cromartie then DRC atleast hes playing at a good level wit the Jets— VickaDelphia24
- Numbi....lol— kjuggs77
- One of those years. Playing just well enoug to lose a bunch of close games. Despite our analysis there's a fine line between 6 and 2 and 3 and 5. That fine line just might be a number of things, but a repeated theme has been losing fourth quarter leads, and failing to rally. I must have watched four last minute td's to give other teams wins this weekend. We've yet to see the Eagles do that.— retzlaff
- Watch DRC and dream of the days of Wes Hopkins and Muddy Waters......sigh— NewMick314
- What a punk! His heart pumps "kool-aid" he gave up on the play. This team was the nerd with the glasses and the bears walked over, punched us in the mouth, took our lunch and ate it in front of us and we did nothing but cry.— NC Eagle Fan
- The giants points allowed and points forced numbers are almost identical to ours, yet they're 6-2 and were 3-5. Good teams make big plays at big times. By definition, we are not a good team then.
I also can't help but notice how confused our defense looks at all times. The eagles are known for complicating everything, and it shows. The only ppl not confused are the d line, because they just have to rush the qb. Why with an inexperienced bunch of linebackers and safeties, and a group of new corners, are you calling complicated schemes and zone coverages. Simplify the damn play book, and let's stop hurting ourselves. This team may not have the best talent at every position but they have enough to win.— Knock0ut12 - I try to ignore nuggett and others like her.— ras#2
- I hope Kolb plays on Sunday and shreds us.— DallasEagle
