EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) A seemingly happy Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has returned to the New York Giants and is accepting the blame for a blowup with coach Ben McAdoo that led to a one-game suspension.
The cornerback practiced with the team on Wednesday for the first time since being suspended indefinitely a week ago after leaving the team headquarters before practice. The Giants reinstated the 10-year veteran Tuesday after he spoke with McAdoo.
The 31-year-old, who joined the Giants in 2014, insisted he mishandled the events leading to his suspension, both in how he acted during a game against the Chargers on Oct. 8 and two days later when McAdoo told him he would be inactive for this past weekend’s game in Denver, which the Giants won despite injuries and the suspension.
Rodgers-Cromartie, who had started three of the first five games and led the team in interceptions with six last season, said he never asked to be traded after being suspended.
”To be honest, coach called me up and he said some things and I kind of didn’t agree with it and I handled it the wrong way,” Rodgers-Cromartie said after practice.
”At the end of the day, that’s on me. So the suspension, I take that. All I can do is try to work back to get in good grace with the guys. I’m just glad that they didn’t let this turn them from me and they accepted me and I’m just back working, man.”
Teammates were happy to see the popular Rodgers-Cromartie back, and they even teased him after the workout.
”Tell them about the suspension,” defensive tackle Damon `Snacks’ Harrison shouted from the other side of the locker as `DRC’ was surrounded by reporters.
Rodgers-Cromartie could not help but laugh.
”Snacks can say what he wants to say,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. ”When I first walked in, he was the first one to jump up and down and hug me. So them boys definitely welcomed me back with open arms and that definitely, definitely made me feel good.”
Rodgers-Cromartie said his problems started in the game against the Chargers. He tweaked something in a foot covering a deep pass and went to the sideline.
During the second half, the coaches kept him out of the game because of concern over his foot. He felt he could play.
”I get mad. I’m a competitor,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. ”I like to be out there with my guys out there. I did get tweaked and there was a misunderstanding.”
He got even angrier a couple of days later when McAdoo told him he would be inactive for this past Sunday’s game against Denver. He was so angry he cleaned out his locker.
”I’m dramatic, man. I’m crazy,” said Rodgers-Cromartie, who watched the Giants-Broncos game in Tennessee.
”I can’t help that. I do stuff over the top, man. I apologized. I handled it wrong, but I’m good, baby. I’m back, baby, that’s all that matters.”
Rodgers-Cromartie said he respected the way McAdoo handled things.
”I told him at the end of the day, you’re going to know if I’m mad,” the player said. ”I’m going to come back in here and let you know. I wear my emotions on my sleeves, man. But I told him, I messed up and I understand that, and as a coach, you got to do what you got to do. Whatever the consequence is, I have to accept that and go on from there.”
NOTES: Eli Apple, who started at cornerback in Rodgers-Cromartie’s absence, was excused from practice for personal reasons. McAdoo expects him back on Thursday. LB Jonathan Casillas (neck), G John Jerry (tooth), LB Calvin Munson (quad) and C Weston Richburg (concussion) did not practice. S Landon Collins (ankle), RB Paul Perkins (ribs), WR Sterling Shepard (ankle) and DE Olivier Vernon (ankle) were limited. … PK Aldrick Rosas said his get-off time was a little slow and there was some penetration on his FG attempt that was blocked Sunday.
—
For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and – http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
25% Bonus via Western Union
