DRC still running

BRADENTON

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had a busy two-sport Friday. Basketball followed by football.

Take that, Prime Time.

Actually, the former Lakewood Ranch High Mustang for just his senior year didn’t play either one. Rodgers-Cromartie was at the Manatee PAL earlier in the day to oversee the basketball camp operated 24 years by his father.

Later, he helped out the football camp run by former Southeast High star and current Atlanta Falcon cornerback Brian Poole.

“I’ve known him all my life,” DRC said. “We’re both from down in east Bradenton. Both came up through the Boys Club.”

Among area players who reached the NFL, Henry Lawrence tops everyone with 13 seasons played. Sarasota High’s Tim Johnson played 10, as did Port Charlotte High’s John Hall. Riverview High’s David Baas got in nine.

They’re just not in the second spot. That place belongs to Rodgers-Cromartie, who will begin his 12th season this fall with the Washington Redskins.

“When I came in, I gave myself 6-7 years,” the 33-year-old cornerback said. “Just knowing that the league is not long, I just kept my head down and kept grinding. I looked up, it’s 12 years.”

Last year it seemed a 100 percent certainty Rodgers-Cromartie wouldn’t have a 12th. After signing a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders, his fifth NFL team, he suddenly retired in October with the team 1-6.

Up to that point, DRC had been used erratically, heavily involved in the defense one Sunday, limited to special teams on another. At the time of his retirement, the Raiders were allowing 144 rushing yards a game and 31.1 points.

“I had a lot of things going on at the time and Oakland ... was trying to figure stuff out, so they wanted to see a lot of younger guys play,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “So I was just out there and I was like, ‘Nah, take this time to rest your body and come back’ and I’m glad I was able to come back.

“I knew 100 percent I was coming back. I just wanted to get out and get my mind right and start over. The Redskins gave me an opportunity, so I’ve been up there busting my butt since.”

Back in 2008, a lengthy NFL career seemed an unlikely dream. DRC changed high schools four times in four years. He needed his father’s connections to earn a scholarship to Division I-AA Tennessee State, where his stellar career convinced the Arizona Cardinals to take him with the 16th overall pick in the NFL draft.

Any concerns about the level of competition Rodgers-Cromartie faced in college were dispelled. He played in all 16 games for the Cardinals in 2008, started 11, and finished with four interceptions, one returned for a TD, and 19 passes defended.

At the end of the year, DRC was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team. He would go on to play for the Eagles, Broncos, Giants and Raiders, recording 30 interceptions, 146 passes defended and earning two Pro Bowl berths.

Appearing in enough games last year for the Raiders earned him credit for a season played and the ability to become a free agent. Before DRC signed with Oakland, the Redskins had shown interest as well.

“They wanted me there and I always felt the love of them really wanting me there,” he said. “On defense, it’s no problem. Defense is defense. Just got the terminology down and go from there.

“Your Cover 1’s, Cover 2’s, man to man, they’re all the same. Just different languages.”

At 33, DRC has no illusions of going to camp with the Redskins and winning a starting job.

“I know they already have a team established. I know my skill set. I know what I can do. I’m not going in looking to start. I’m going in and looking that if someone gets hurt and I get the opportunity to get in, there will not be a drop down.”

And when he’s not on the field, DRC won’t hesitate to give help whenever he can. He knows he’s entered that phase of his career.

“I’m the oldest guy on defense,” he said. “I understand passes and see a lot of things, so when I see something in practice, the quarterbacks coach or even the receivers coach will be like, ‘What were you thinking on that play?’ and I give them my knowledge.

“I love them (asking me questions). And they’ve definitely been coming. It’s a great feeling to have people just come up to you and ask questions. I’m in that role now.”

A role he’s happy filling. After all these years, Rodgers-Cromartie is still doing what he loves.

“It feels good, to come from a small town and be able to go out there and still produce.”

AREA’S LONGEST TENURED NFL PLAYERS

• Henry Lawrence: The 1974 first-round draft pick from Florida A&M played 13 seasons at guard in the NFL. The graduate of Lincoln Memorial High School in Palmetto won three Super Bowls with the Raiders.

• Tim Johnson: The 1987 sixth-round draft pick from Penn State played 10 seasons at defensive tackle in the NFL. The graduate of Sarasota High School won a Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins.

• John Hall: The 1997 undrafted free agent from Wisconsin played 10 seasons at kicker in the NFL. The graduate of Port Charlotte High School finished his career converting 74.6 percent of his field goals.

• David Baas: The 2005 second-round draft pick from Michigan played nine seasons on the offensive line in the NFL. The graduate of Riverview High School won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants.

• Sam Shields: The 2010 undrafted free agent from Miami has played eight seasons at cornerback in the NFL. The graduate of Booker High School won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers.

• Todd Johnson: The 2003 fourth-round draft pick from Florida played six seasons at defensive back in the NFL. The graduate of Riverview High School reached a Super Bowl with the Chicago Bears.

• Burton Lawless: The 1975 second-round draft pick from Florida played six seasons at guard in the NFL. The graduate of Charlotte High School won a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys.