If you can't see the video, or don't want to watch it, for this week's GMC Playbook, Marshall Faulk wants to know what player on the New York Giants leaves it all on the field.
Given that the Giants have 22 players -- or if you prefer, more than $34,000,000 -- on the injured reserve, quite a few Giants have left quite a bit on the field this year.
Of the survivors, I'm actually going to go with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
DRC was, along with Geoff Schwartz, the crown jewel of the Giants' 2014 free agency shopping spree. After signing a 5-year, 35 million dollar contract, it's to be expected that DRC go out there and earn it.
That being said, Rodgers-Cromartie has gone beyond this season.
He came to the Giants with a lingering reputation as being a "soft" player who simply does not like to hit, and gives up on his teammates when things aren't going well.
This year, that simply has not been the case.
DRC has seemingly taken his cues from Prince Amukamara and Antrel Rolle and delivered some impressive tackles. Also, with the Giants fielding one of the league's worst defenses, and on a losing team, he has shown up to play every week, and has consistently been one of the top corners in the league.
Given the talent of the player in question, that shouldn't be unexpected. What has set DRC apart is that he has done this while playing through a painful and lingering leg injury. Rodgers-Cromartie is a player who depends on his speed and agility, even more than some other corners -- a position where athleticism is already at an absolute premium. So an injury like IT could sideline a corner for a month or more.
DRC, however, played through that injury.
He may not have been able to play every snap, and at times has only been able to play a quarter of the defensive snaps, but he has played every snap he is physically able. He has maintained a high level of play, largely shutting down team's No. 1 receivers whenever he is able to be on the field. He has even kept his hustle, such as when he galloped 60 yards to run down Andre Roberts and save a touchdown after Antrel Rolle missed a tackle.
The best cornerbacks are invisible. They don't get talked about because the ball rarel goes their way. And when they do get talked about, it's either because they made a spectacular play, or gave up one. But in this case, I wanted to give some recognition to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for the heart he's shown this season.
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