Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is the newest member of the Giants’ secondary.
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The New York football rivalry met at the bargaining table and the Giants got their man.
Both local teams expressed interest in signing free agent cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but it was the Giants who signed the veteran Monday. ESPN reports the deal is for five years and worth $39 million, including $15 million guaranteed.
Fellow free agent cornerbacks Alterraun Verner got four years and $14 million guaranteed from the Bucs and Aqib Talib signed for $11.5 million guaranteed from Denver.
“I haven’t really found anywhere to just call home for real,” said Rodgers-Cromartie, who has played for three teams in his six NFL seasons. “So if I can just settle down and find a place to be home, I know my best football is ahead of me.”
Rodgers-Cromartie will likely start opposite Prince Amukamara. The team did not re-sign free agent cornerback Terrell Thomas, though he has still yet to sign this offseason.
Rodgers-Cromartie played for the AFC champion Broncos last season. He’s had at least three interceptions in five of his six seasons, including three last year.
He’s also already played with safety Antrel Rolle in Arizona. The captain pushed for the Giants to sign him on Twitter Monday afternoon. The two played together in 2008 and 2009.
“I was with him for two years in Arizona,” Rodgers-Cromartie said of Rolle. “He brought me in, took me under his wing and took care of me. So to be reunited with him is just a blessing. I know the things that he’s done in his career and the man he’s become. That’s going to be a help for me.”
Rodgers-Cromartie is the cousin of former Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who the Jets ostensibly wanted him to replace.
Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.
