Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was a character. That was undeniable. He was the key part of the Kevin Kolb trade, and he had a good postseason in 2008 as a rookie, when the Cardinals had their fairy tale Super Bowl run. (He was also a favorite of mine to cover, tbh.)
No one will ever forget the bologna sandwiches.
The reason DRC got to the NFL as a first-round pick was his stellar college play. He played at Tennessee State and put together such a great career -- he was a 2007 FCS All-American, he was a three-time all-conference pick and allowed only 55 completions on 161 targets his way -- that he was named to the Black College Hall of Fame class of 2025.
DRC will be honored at halftime of the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl on Saturday. (It'll be on the NFL Network at 2 p.m. Arizona time.)
In 2009, when the Cardinals won the NFC West with 10 wins, DRC had six picks and an impressive 25 pass breakups. If DRC hadn't been traded he would've been the cornerback on the other side with rookie Patrick Peterson in 2011. That had the chance to be a formidable duo.
But the Cardinals needed a QB, and in that lockout-ravaged offseason, Kolb was available. And in that time post-Kurt Warner retirement, that was (rightfully) the top priority.
