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Fans of the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles know the newest member of the New York Giants, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, very well. Rodgers-Cromartie spent two relatively unproductive seasons, 2011 and 2012, with the Eagles. Here is how SB Nation's Eagles web site, Bleeding Green Nation, reacted to the news that DRC is back in the NFC East:
And herein lies the conflicting nature of DRC: his effort doesn't always match his talent. And there's no denying he has some real talent. He's one of the fastest cornerbacks in the NFL. As we saw in Eagles training camp, DRC is one of the few, if only, receivers who has a prayer of running step by step down field with DeSean Jackson. But DRC is hardly a player a team can count on to give it their all regardless of the situation. His performance with a struggling Eagles' unit in 2012 is perfect evidence. Tackling has never really been a strength for DRC, but it's an ever bigger problem when the effort isn't there. Look at this video of a Dez Bryant touchdown from 2012. And here's another effortless play against Miles Austin. Sickening.
DRC even admitted he didn't give it his best in Philly. Subsequently, DRC's love for the game has really been drawn into question. During Super Bowl XLVIII media week, DRC mentioned the possibility of early retirement despite being only 28 and coming off a great season where he would enter free agency as the top available cornerback on the market.
With all of that said, DRC is an interesting gamble for the Giants to take a chance on. If the team plays well, he might be worth the chance. But if things go south early like they did for the Giants in 2013, DRC can't be counted on to help turn things around.
Rodgers-Cromartie has, indeed, been a boom-or-bust corner throughout his career.
Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie career @PFF coverage grades. Risk, but high reward: pic.twitter.com/8D53DOZZSH
— Pete Damilatis (@PFF_Pete) March 17, 2014
When he's good, he's very good. When he's bad? Well, he can't be the 2012 version of Corey Webster bad, can he?