Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie's showboating irks Tom Coughlin
New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (21) runs back an interception to the end zone in the second half of an NFL game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. The apparent touchdown was nullified by a penalty. Credit: AP / James Kenney
As thrilled as the Giants were about Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie playing every defensive snap in Sunday's win over the Titans, the first time he's done that since September, there was one play that Tom Coughlin said he could have done without.
That was the interception that Rodgers-Cromartie returned for a would-be touchdown. The part that irked Coughlin was the high-stepping into the end zone and then the posing, with safety Antrel Rolle pretending to snap pictures.
"I don't appreciate that," Coughlin said on Monday's conference call. "I think that what we talk about is 'team.' We don't talk about individuals. We talk about a team accomplishment and I didn't like what it represented and I will speak to the players that were involved in that."
Rolle's fauxtography drew a penalty that was declined and would have been enforced on the kickoff. The touchdown was nullified by another penalty.
Rodgers-Cromartie had been unable to play a full game because of hamstring, back and shoulder injuries.
"It was the way it was meant to be from the end of training camp on," Coughlin said. "When he is out on that field, you can imagine the play-caller being able to call the game the way we would like it called rather than trying to determine who's out there and who's not out there . . . I think we have better continuity, for sure. It was good to see him stay out there and get the interception, and hopefully that is going to continue."RG3 could face Giants
With QB Colt McCoy suffering a sprained neck on Sunday, Washington coach Jay Gruden said Monday that the starter against the Giants this Sunday could be Robert Griffin III. Gruden also said Kirk Cousins, who threw four interceptions against the Giants in Week 4, will receive consideration.
"It's hard to say right now," Gruden told reporters. "I don't know how healthy [McCoy] is . . . We'll see how [McCoy is] feeling first. Like I said, I don't want to rush into any decision at this time, anyway."
Giant steps
Coughlin said he was aware that Eli Manning spent extra time in the training room after Sunday's game, but there was no specific injury. "I think he is sore," Coughlin said. "No one seems to be overly concerned." . . . The jersey Odell Beckham Jr. wore when he made his one-handed catch against the Cowboys two weeks ago is on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Coughlin said it was business as usual after the first victory in more than two months. Well, almost. "It's a better day at the office when you win, believe me."
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
