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The focus on Sunday might have been the New York Giants’ revamped defensive line against the Dallas Cowboys’ vaunted offensive line, but the work by the Giants’ cornerbacks was also critical in a 20-19 victory.
On Monday, coach Ben McAdoo lauded the play of Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Jenkins shadowed Dez Bryant (one catch, eight yards) much of the day.
“I think Janoris had a heck of a day yesterday,” coach Ben McAdoo said on a conference call “He’s not the only one that was matching up against Dez. DRC (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) made a couple of really nice plays there, too. Jackrabbit really shadowed him for most of the day. He competed his tail off and it was a big, huge effort for us.”
Rodgers-Cromartie knocked two passes away from Bryant, including one in the end zone, and had a hand in the game-ending play. Rodgers-Cromartie played both left corner and in the slot.
“I think he made two very nice plays in the slot,” McAdoo said. “One was in the end zone and the other was on an inside fade route to Dez. I think he did a tremendous job there and we liked him there.”
DRC, in his ninth season, has not played much in the slot during his career.
“I feel good,” he said. “There’s always the first game jitters. Now that I got it under my belt, it definitely helps. I feel good about myself and I’m ready to rock and roll.”
Does he like the slot? “Yes. That’s what I’m required to do. The main thing is that I want to be on that field. Whether I’m inside or outside, I just want to play.”
McAdoo thought first-round pick Eli Apple, who played 56 of 78 defensive snaps, got better as the game went on.
“I think he was feeling his way early,” McAdoo said. “He got his feet underneath him as the game wore on. Really competed at a higher level as the game wore on. Just like a lot of young players, they have to feel their way a little bit at times. You play through it and I think he made some nice tackles as the game wore on.”