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Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on Eagles-Giants Rivalry: “I see a lot of trash talking going on, so I know it’s a big game.”
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had to have been shocked when he learned in late July that Arizona was trading him and a second round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Kevin Kolb. Rodgers-Cromartie had been a solid corner in his time with the Cardinals, and one of the better pieces on the defense, but back East he went to play alongside Asante Samuel, and as he’d later discover, Nnamdi Asomugha. Rodgers-Cromartie gets his first taste of the bitter rivalry Philly has with the New York Giants when the two NFC East foes meet this Sunday.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie joined WFAN in New York with Joe and Evan to talk about getting his first taste of the Giants-Eagles rivalry, his initial thoughts when he was traded to the Philadelphia in August, the “Dream Team” label putting added pressure on the Eagles, going up against the banged up Giants wide receiving core, his thoughts on Antrel Rolle claiming he hopes Michael Vick will be playing this Sunday, and Michael Vick playing on Sunday despite a concussion last week.
Is it tough to get into the Giants-Eagles rivalry since you are brand new to the whole thing?
“It’s kind of new for me. I don’t really know how I’ll fit into the game as I can see everyone around here getting hyped and getting pumped. I see a lot of trash talking going on back-and-fourth, so I know it’s a big game. It’ll be easy to fit into it.”
What was your initial thought when you found out you were traded to the Eagles for Kevin Kolb?
“It was a bittersweet thing. At first I was like what is going on? At the same time I was really happy because I knew I would be coming to a team of good fans and a winning organization, so I wasn’t too mad.”
Do you feel that the term “Dream Team” put a bulls-eye on your team now?
“Oh yeah. No question. When you go outside you you hear everybody’s side. Everybody is watching you because they say that about us because of the decisions we had. That put a lot of pressure on us because you don’t want to go out there and you don’t want to live down to expectations that you have for yourself and everybody else has for you.”
What do you think about going up against a banged up Giants wide receiving core?
“Yeah but you know at the same time the Giants just want to come in and pound the ball. That’s the main thing. They just want to come in and just run. Even with Hakeem Nicks you still have a real good receiver in him and Brandon Stokley being a veteran. Victor Cruz is coming into his own and he’s still young. He has a lot of learning to do. They are still kind of solid out there.”
What are your thoughts on what Antrel Rolle said the other day about hoping Michael Vick will play this Sunday, so the Giants beat the best on Sunday?
“That is just Antrel. Antrel Rolle is always going to come out and say something like that. I really got nothing to say to that. That’s just Antrel and his personality.”
Do you have any idea whether Michael Vick will be playing on Sunday?
“No. I really don’t.”
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