CINCINNATI — Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie knew the answer to the question, but that didn’t stop him from asking it anyway.
“You got to think about it, which one of our safeties right now played in a real game, in an NFL game?’’ Rodgers-Cromartie said Wednesday before the Giants practiced with the Bengals. “None of ’em for real.’’
Correct, sir. None of ’em for real, if the Giants line up the way they have in training camp, with rookie Landon Collins and first-year Bennett Jackson as the starting safeties. Jeromy Miles, a five-year veteran and career backup most recently with the Ravens, and third-year Cooper Taylor also are in the mix, but it appears as if the Giants believe Collins and Jackson have the most potential on the back end.
“I’m impressed with the guys we have right now, I really am,’’ Rodgers-Cromartie said.
There are sure to be growing pains at safety, and that’s why it is incumbent on Rodgers-Cromartie and Prince Amukamara to be healthy and productive at cornerback. They are experienced and talented, though the low-key DRC has no interest in debating where they rank in the NFL corner hierarchy.
“I do know one thing, we can play ball,’’ Rodgers-Cromartie said.
Amukamara, coming off surgery to repair a torn biceps that forced him to miss the final eight games in 2014, is not participating in the joint practices with the Bengals because of a strained groin.
Rodgers-Cromartie played in all 16 games in his first season with
the Giants but was slowed by an assortment of leg and lower-body issues. He reported to camp in fine shape, but is not exactly gushing about how he feels at present. He’s dealing with a slight issue with his groin.
“I’m all right … for the most part,’’ he said. “I’ll get through it.’’
He had better, or else the more aggressive approach new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wants to install for the Giants’ defense will go up in smoke. Spagnuolo is all about pressure from a variety of spots and angles, putting a premium on his cornerbacks to not get beat deep.
“You got to be more focused, disciplined, you got to have that shut-down mentality because you know he’s going to go get it,’’ Rodgers-Cromartie said. “There’s no sitting back. A lot of risk, especially at that corner position, One little thing, it’s six.’’
There’s also the matter of trust. Rodgers-Cromartie had that with Antrel Rolle, his buddy from their time together with the Cardinals. But Rolle now plays for the Bears and Rodgers-Cromartie has to learn to lean on Collins and Jackson, who have never started an NFL game, or played in one, for that matter.
“You can’t be out there and be timid or shy. That’s when things are going to happen, when you are on unsure of things,’’ said Jackson, a converted cornerback moved to safety in the spring.
The corners have to rely on the safeties to bark out the correct calls and also to be where they are supposed to be. If there’s an in-breaking route and the corner is expecting help inside, the safety must provide that help.
“A lot of times the corner is going to look to the safety to clear up anything that is unclear,’’ Jackson said.
Can the youngsters direct the vets?
Rodgers-Cromartie views Collins — the second-round pick out of Alabama — as a rookie with a thick skin.
“When you’re young and you make mistakes … you tend to get on yourself, but you don’t see that with him,’’ Rodgers-Cromartie said.
As for Jackson, Rodgers-Cromartie admits he was surprised by the position switch.
“He has to pick up all the terminology and run fits and things of that nature and still go out and play some nickel a little bit. It says a lot about him,’’ Rodgers-Cromartie said.
As for himself, Rodgers-Cromartie said his sluggish first year with the Giants did not cause any self-doubt.
“The moment they take that confidence it’s going to be a long, long, long year for you, for real,’’ he said. “I’m a confident young man. If there’s one thing I know at this corner position, don’t let a bad play turn into a bad day.’’