The Giants began free agency with a major need in the secondary and New York made another move to fill that need, agreeing to a five-year deal with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter reports the deal is worth $39 million, including $15 million guaranteed.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie inks a 5-year deal with the Giants
New York made a big splash in free agency, beating out the Jets for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
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Rodgers-Cromartie will join Walter Thurmond in a remade secondary, which should be significantly improved from last season. Here is a closer look at the newest Giant.
2013 season review
In his first season with the Broncos, Rodgers-Cromartie finally returned to the form that earned him Pro Bowl honors in 2009 with the Arizona Cardinals. Although he didn't receive similar honors in 2013, he may have been just as good, and provided the Broncos with a very consistent producer in the defensive backfield.
Perhaps the only difference between his 2013 season with the Broncos and his 2009 one with the Cardinals was the lack of statistics to show for it in the former. While he racked up six interceptions and 25 passes defended in 2009, he finished with three picks and 19 deflections with the Broncos.
Those numbers are hardly worth scoffing at, as Rodgers-Cromartie was probably the best defensive back on a team that garnered most of its attention for scoring points on offense. Still, his middle-of-the-pack production coupled with the three consecutive mediocre seasons sandwiched between his 2009 and 2013 campaigns could mean a lesser deal for Rodgers-Cromartie.
Contract history
After he was selected with the 16th overall selection in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Rodgers-Cromartie received a five-year, $15.1 million deal from the Cardinals as a rookie. He didn't play out that deal with the Cardinals though, as he was eventually traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011 as part of a deal that sent quarterback Kevin Kolb to Arizona.
The Eagles allowed that contract to play itself out, and after two seasons with the team, Rodgers-Cromartie hit free agency during the 2013 offseason. Following three consecutive less-than-stellar seasons, the Broncos signed the young cornerback to a one-year deal worth $5 million that paid off big for Rodgers-Cromartie as he excelled in the team’s defense.
Other interested teams
Rodgers-Cromartie reportedly received an offer to stay in Denver, but the Broncos wound up signing Aqib Talib instead. From there, it appeared the race for his services was down to the two New York teams. He visited the Jets and Giants before ultimately picking Big Blue.
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