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Friday Media Transcript: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Eric from BBI : Admin : 9/1/2017 4:39 pm
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

September 1, 2017

Q: Does the fact that Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott could play against you in Week One change your approach at all?

A: No sir because it’s still the same scheme. You can’t forget about Alfred Morris and the things that he does. I think his role is diminished a little bit now that they’ve got Zeke and [Darren] McFadden, but those guys are still really good backs. So, I don’t think their scheme changes much.

Q: Do you guys have to prepare two game plans to prepare for the different Dallas running backs?

A: No because they’re downhill backs, all three of them and Zeke can make that one cut just as Alfred Morris and McFadden [can]. McFadden still has a little speed left to him, so I think it’s still the same game plan.

Q: What do you think made cornerback Janoris Jenkins so successful against Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant in the two games against Dallas last season?

A: I just think his competitive nature. He just goes out there to line up and his mindset is, it is what it is. I think he just plays through that. Even when you see if a guy does get a catch on him, you see how he defends the ball and is always ripping it out, that’s how he was able to cause that fumble on the last drive last year [against Dallas]. I just think his mentality is, ‘Man, I’m all out, all out, all the time.’ The one thing he always says is, ‘I’m playing as hard as I can for as long as I can,’ and you see that.

Q: What makes you think that this defense is ready for the regular season?

A: I would just say the mindset of the guys in the room. I think everybody knows what’s at stake, but for the main part, we spent a year together. We’re bringing back mostly all the pieces and we spent a lot of time together and we gel well. The few preseason games that we did all play together, I think it was kind of lights out. Went out there and did what we’re supposed to do. But you’ll be a little bit hungrier come Sunday.

Q: Dallas wide receiver Cole Beasley is someone who doesn’t get a lot of attention, but what makes him so tough in the slot?

A: He gets a lot of attention from over here. That guy right there, he’s like - the three little [Julian] Edelman’s, [Danny] Amendola’s, Cole Beasley’s - those guys, they’re not your big, aggressive, fast [receivers], but man, they’re in and out of that cut and they’re so savvy. They can lull you to sleep so good and have you going one way and he’s going the other. So, it takes a ton of discipline to guard a guy like Cole Beasley because he’s in and out of those cuts and he gets up field. So, he’s definitely a tough cover.

Q: How much of a change is it, going from being an outside cover guy to having to guard guys inside in the slot?

A: It changes a lot because you have to be technique-sound. And then on the outside, you don’t have to be that much technical-sound because you can make it up with your speed, but when you’re in the inside man, that throw comes a lot faster. So, it’s hard to make up any ground in the inside. So, you just have to be technique-sound and you have to try to put your hands on him and disrupt him.

Q: What are you telling cornerback Donte Deayon this weekend?

A: Oh, I’m telling him he better get his legs ready because he’s going to be a big part of this defense, but I think he’s ready. You see him in the preseason – outside, he does way better inside. I think he’s going to be a guy we use inside, I think he’s a good matchup with a guy like Cole Beasley as well. He’s small, quick and can make those same kind of cuts those guys can and he’s a smart football player. And he has a heart of a lion. So, I’m just telling him to just get his legs ready.
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