November 17, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (45) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Donnie Avery (17) during the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Giants agreed to a five-year deal with free agent cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the team announced Monday.
The former Denver Bronco was considered the top corner left on the market.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the $39 million deal includes $15 million guaranteed, According to the New York Daily News, the total value of the contract is $35 million.
Rodgers-Cromartie became the third member of the secondary to join the team in two days. On Sunday, the Giants added former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond and former Kansas City Chiefs safety Quintin Demps.
Rodgers-Cromartie and Thurmond each started in Super Bowl XLVIII last month in MetLife Stadium.
“The main thing, bringing in guys from Kansas City, Seattle, you can see what they’re doing, trying to bring guys that are going to come in and lead by example,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “That’s always a plus.”
A former first-round draft choice and 2009 Pro Bowler, Rodgers-Cromartie is entering his seventh NFL season. He has also played for Arizona and Philadelphia. Rodgers-Cromartie played on two conference champions, the 2008 Cardinals and the 2013 Broncos. One of his secondary partners in Arizona was safety Antrel Rolle, who joined the Giants in 2010 and was a defensive captain and Pro Bowler last season. Rolle lobbied on Twitter for his former teammate to join the Giants.
“I was with him for two years in Arizona,” Rodgers-Cromartie said of Rolle. “He brought me in, took me under his wing and took care of me. So to be reunited with him is just a blessing. I know the things that he’s done in his career and the man he’s become. That’s going to be a help for me.
“I’m glad to be here. Especially with Antrel and talking with the defensive coaches and the staff and even Coach Tom (Coughlin), just talking with them, it’s going to be good.”
Rodgers-Cromartie, who will turn 28 next month, is 6-foot-2 and 193 pounds. He has played in 92 regular-season games with 75 starts and has started all nine postseason games in which he played. His career totals include 239 tackles (205 solo) and 19 interceptions that he has returned for 409 yards (21.5-yard avg.), 129 passes defensed and five touchdowns, which tied him for fourth place among active players at the end of the 2013 season. He also has three postseason picks.
“It’s that knack,” Rodgers-Cromartie said of his ability to score on a pick. “When I have the ball in my hands, I’m obviously looking to score. Any time I get my hands on the ball, that’s definitely what you play this game for, to get your hands on the ball and make things happen.”
In 2013, Rodgers-Cromartie joined the Broncos as a free agent and played in 15 regular-season games with 13 starts at right cornerback. He was inactive at Kansas City on Dec. 1 with a shoulder injury. He finished the season with 31 tackles (25 solo), a team-high 15 passes defensed and tied for the Broncos lead with three interceptions, including one of Giants quarterback Eli Manning’s passes late in the second quarter in Denver’s victory on Sept. 15.
In the Broncos’ Super Bowl loss to the Seahawks, Rodgers-Cromartie had five solo tackles and two passes defensed.
Rodgers-Cromartie was the 16th overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Cardinals, from Tennessee State.
The Giants also signed linebacker Spencer Paysinger to his restricted free agent tender of $1.431 million. He had 74 tackles and a sack last season.
