Rodgers-Cromartie helps Eagles solidify secondary

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BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- They gave up a quarterback who wouldnt have been a starter and got back a Pro Bowl cornerback who will help solidify a shaky secondary.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who the Eagles received from the Cards Thursday along with a 2012 second-round draft pick in exchange for Kevin Kolb, instantly adds playmaking ability to a secondary that last year ranked 28th in the NFL with a franchise-record 31 touchdown passes allowed.

This is a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said after practice at Lehigh Thursday. Hes an exciting guy to have on your team.

Hes a guy that we really liked coming out in the draft (in 2008). We saw a guy that really fit what we do. Hes an explosive guy with great ball skills.

Head coach Andy Reid said Rodgers-Cromartie was expected to arrive at Lehigh on Friday. He said he may be at practice by Friday afternoon but more likely will make his Eagles debut Saturday morning, which is the first practice thats open to the public.

Asante Samuel, the Eagles left cornerback and a perennial Pro Bowl pick, has 49 career interceptions in eight years and 22 in three years with the Eagles, including the postseason. But the Eagles went through a bunch of corners on the right side last yearEllis Hobbs, Dimitri Patterson, Trevard Lindley, Joselio Hansonwith none of them distinguishing themselves.

This is the first time since 2003with Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincentthat the Eagles have had two Pro Bowl cornerbacks at the same time.

He hasnt been doing it for as long as Asante, but it sure will be nice to have both of them in the lineup, Reid said.

With the acquisitions of defensive end Jason Babin earlier Thursday and Rodgers-Cromartie, the Eagles have added two Pro Bowl defensive players in the opening days of the league year.

Hes got great ball skills, hes explosive, and hell fit well with the kind of philosophy were going with on defense, Roseman said of the 6-foot, 195-pounder nicknamed DRC. Hes also got great height, so hes able to match up with bigger receivers. Rare speed, really an explosive guy. Knows how to break on the ball. Can press, can play off, can play all sorts of coverages, and in our defense, we want him to do all those sorts of things.

And I think being with Asante will help him. And being in this defense and the way were going to get up the field with our pass rush, hes going to have a great opportunity to make plays.

Rodgers-Cromartie is not considered a physical corner, but hes an athletic playmaker who just turned 25 this spring.

When you look at corners, you want them to be able to tackle, but thats a little bit down the list of things youre looking when youre looking at corners, Roseman said. Youre looking for guys who can cover, and this guy can cover really well.

Rodgers-Cromartie enjoyed an outstanding rookie season in 2008, when the Cards beat the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game and went to their first Super Bowl, and then made his first Pro Bowl team in 2009, when he had six interceptions.

But his performance fell off last year, and he had only three interceptions when the Cards went 5-11 and ranked 30th in the NFL in points allowed and 29th in yards allowed.

Nonetheless, Rodgers-Cromarties 13 interceptions since 2008 are 10th-most in the NFL over the past three seasons, and his four TD returns are second-most in the league during that span, behind only Charles Woodsons six.

In pro football history, only one playerHall of Famer Ken Houstonhas returned more interceptions for touchdowns in his first three seasons than Rodgers-Cromartie.

Rodgers-Cromartie is signed through 2012 at 950,000 this year and 1,128,750 next year. He has cap hits of 2.11 million this year and 2.28875 million next year.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com.

Related: Eagles deal Kolb to Cards for Rodgers-CromartieEagles sign Babin to five-year deal

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