CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
September 15, 2017
Q: Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford can throw the ball pretty good, right?
A: Definitely. He definitely trusts his arm. You can see on film, he has tight coverage, but somehow he zips it in there. When he’s healthy, he’s got a real strong arm.
Q: Do you guys have an idea about what Stafford likes to do in his comfort zone, no longer with wide receiver Anquan Boldin?
A: I don’t know. You replace Anquan in the middle with Golden Tate. I think they have a similar mindset, not really [similar] as far as body frame, Anquan being a little taller. But, [similar] mindset, as far as just getting those quick throws and making somebody tackle you. Golden Tate’s good, too.
Q: What does rookie wide receiver Kenny Golladay give the Detroit offense?
A: More of a deep threat. He’s outside, he’s a taller guy. I think he’s one of the tallest on their roster and he can stretch the field and that’s what the quarterback wants. He’s got the arm to definitely get it to him, so I think it gives him more of a deep threat.
Q: How big of a difference does having running backs Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick make for the Detroit offense?
A: Big difference. Anytime you can run the ball, it makes it hard for [the opposing defense] to game plan, when you can run and throw the ball. So, it just makes it a tougher matchup.
Q: Do you take the mentality of if the defense played better last week against Dallas, then we could have won that game, as Defense Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said?
A: Definitely. We come in, we put together this unit last year and you bring most of the guys back, ready, it should be the same thing. We’re not sneaking up on anybody. Expectations should be to go out there and dominate. When we have a chance to get off the field, or to make those plays, I think we should make them.
Q: Can this defense put too much pressure on itself?
A: You can, but if you have a mindset that everybody has around here, of just knowing who’s on the field with you and knowing the capabilities of what everybody can do, you’ve got to think like that. You don’t let it affect you, but you’ve got to have that pressure on yourself and just on the unit.
Q: Is there a risk that the defense may try and force turnovers and press too much?
A: No, you’ve got to let the game come to you. I think we’ve got a smart group of guys that are doing that, just letting the game come to them. Not going out there and trying to do that extra. Now, maybe if we get down a couple of scores or something like that, then somebody’s got to jump something, that’s on the individual. But for the most part, you’ve just got to let it come to you.
Q: Is third down an area the defense needs to improve?
A: Definitely. We pride ourselves on third down. I think we gave up a few too many [against Dallas] and that’s definitely a thing we’ve got to correct.
