Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Dominique Reshard Rodgers-Cromartie (born April 7, 1986) is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals 16th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee State. He is the cousin of New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

Early years
Rodgers-Cromartie attended Lakewood Ranch High School where he was an All-Area, All-Class 5A and All-District 11 defensive back and wide receiver. He was named the most underrated prospect in the state of Florida by the High School Recruiting Report and Lakewood Ranch became the fourth high school he attended and the first where he received playing time. While at Lakewood Ranch, he also competed as a jumper and sprinter on the school’s track team.

Rodgers-Cromartie was born with a non-functioning kidney that was removed when he was 5 years old. He is of Haitian descent.

2008 NFL Draft
Early on, Rodgers-Cromartie's draft stock was considerably low, as many questioned the level of competition he faced during his college years and because of his lack of technique. However, Rodgers-Cromartie impressed scouts during Senior Bowl week, performing very well during the arranged practices, and was named Defensive MVP for the game. Also the quickness he displayed with a 4.33 sec 40-yard dash at the NFL combine led to comparisons to Fabian Washington.

Arizona Cardinals
Rodgers-Cromartie was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round (16th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. On July 25, he signed a 5-year, $15.1 million contract with the team that includes $9 million in guarantees. Rodgers-Cromartie was named the starting nickelback for the 2008 season, behind starters Roderick Hood and Eric Green. In week 11 vs. the Seattle Seahawks Rodgers-Cromartie recorded 2 interceptions off Matt Hasselbeck, the second interception securing a Cardinals 26-20 victory. In week 14 vs. the St. Louis Rams, Rodgers-Cromartie returned a late fourth quarter interception 99 yards for a touchdown, ensuring a Cardinals victory and subsequent Division Championship title. In the 2008 Wild Card Playoff Game between the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons, Rodgers-Cromartie intercepted a pass from Matt Ryan intended for wide receiver Roddy White. This helped secure the first playoff home win for the Arizona Cardinals since 1947. The next week, in the divisional round (Arizona Cardinals Vs. Carolina Panthers), Rodgers-Cromartie intercepted a pass from Jake Delhomme in the red zone during the second quarter.

He had 50 tackles and 6 interceptions in the 2009 NFL regular season and was selected as a reserve to the 2010 Pro Bowl, however he didn't participate due to an injury sustained in the divisional round playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Philadelphia Eagles
On July 28, 2011, Rodgers-Cromartie was traded, along with a second round pick, to the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Kevin Kolb. He registered zero interceptions in his first season with the Eagles, playing mostly the nickel position, a position he has not been accustomed to playing early in his career. His play stepped up considerably in the last 4 games of the year.

On August 17, 2012, Rodgers-Cromartie was fined $21,000 for hitting Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich in the head and neck during the preseason.