CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
August 23, 2017
Q: Back in Cleveland you were getting some safety work, what was that like for you?
A: It was different, but you can see that field much better. It just comes with a lot of responsibility back there.
Q: Do you see this as something that will continue on into the season?
A: No, it was probably just a one-time thing. We’re just getting looks everywhere, seeing what kind of packages we could use, but I definitely don’t think I’d be back there like that.
Q: Have you had to work at safety before in your career?
A: No, first time.
Q: Is that something that could extend years onto your career?
A: Easily, but I’m not even thinking about that. Not yet.
Q: Being able to watch the quarterback from that spot, can you see how it might be easier to get interceptions?
A: Easy. Especially if you get some of the younger quarterbacks that like to stare down their target a little bit. Seeing it from back there, you can put that foot in the ground and go get it. Also, I know you’ve got to be disciplined back there, you don’t just abandon the middle field, so that would be kind of tough.
Q: Do you go into Saturday with a certain mindset in terms of what you need to get out of this game?
A: Yes, I think your third game is your most important game. It’s the closest thing you’re going to get to a real game, you’re going to play a lot. I just think the workload is heavy in the third game. So, you go out there, and every preseason game matters, but I think the third game matters the most because the fourth game you’re probably resting a little bit, so you want to go out there and really get it.
Q: What’s the mood of this team today with WR Odell Beckham Jr. and WR Brandon Marshall on the sideline?
A: You kind of don’t want to think about that. You’ve got Odell and Marshall that’s out, you know, that’s definitely a big part of our offense, but you don’t want to put your mind on that. As long as you see the guys walking around the locker room like there’s not a problem, you’re happy about that. Now if he was someone just lying on the table or something, that’s different.
Q: You see Odell walking around?
A: Yes.
Q: S Landon Collins wasn’t happy after the game about the hit.
A: No. I had to calm him down a little bit on the sideline, but that’s the kind of player he is. He’s a team guy like that, he thought it was a cheap hit and he’s going to let you know about it.
Q: What did you think?
A: I mean, it’s a football play. He definitely could have avoided that. It looked like he was going for it on purpose, but I try not to get into that. No, I’m not going to get into that. I’ve got attitude like Landon a little bit, so I’ll leave that where it’s at.
Q: You’re a guy that takes pride in covering people, what do you think of the way DE Olivier Vernon covers people?
A: Man, that was nice. I was at the safety at that, I saw the quarterback scrambling a little bit, seeing the guy coming from the other side of the field, then somebody running with him and knocked it down. I definitely didn’t think it was OV, then I see everybody slapping his hand on the sideline, I was lost. Then I looked back on film and I was like that’s nice. You wouldn’t expect an end to do that.
Q: You’d think when a quarterback looks up and sees 54 (DE Olivier Vernon), 260 lbs running at him, you’ve got him?
A: Definitely.
Q: Is that surprising that he could do that athletically?
A: No. It’s surprising the effort he put into it, but you know, that’s just how he is. He doesn’t say much, he just goes out and plays ball.
Q: Are you going to try to get him some snaps in the slot?
A: No, leave him where he’s at. Let him rush that pass.
Q: He’ll take care of the back stuff?
A: Yes sir. We’ve got that back, though.
