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Once the Philadelphia Eagles’ nauseating 2012 campaign finally came to an end, it was clear to all that some massive changes were about to go down in the City of Brotherly Love.
The termination of long-time head coach Andy Reid was obviously the biggest shake-up in the Birds’ organization, as ‘Big Red’ was beloved in Philly and reached the post-season in 9 of his 14 years on the job. Quickly, the Eagles brought Chip Kelly aboard as their new head coach and are set to head in an entirely new direction with a modern, innovative offensive package and an up-tempo all-around look.
Because of Kelly’s star status and overall media-lure, Eagles’ fans and analysts seem to have largely forgotten about the titanic changes that have taken place on the defensive side of the ball. Not only will the Eagles sport a different defensive scheme this season, but they will also be fielding a very different set of personnel.
Out of all the players that packed their bags and left Philly following the 2012 season, former first-round pick CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will be the most dearly missed.
Rodgers-Cromartie and former perennial All-Pro CB Nnamdi Asomugha were expected to be the single best cornerback duo in the entire NFL when they joined forces on the Eagles in 2011. But after just two seasons, the Eagles decided to flat-out cut Asomugha, while Rodgers-Cromartie fled Philly and signed on with the Denver Broncos during 2013 free agency.
While Asomugha is an aging vet approaching the tail-end of his career, Rodgers-Cromartie is an elite talent who has the athletic ability and coverage skills necessary to be one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
Look for Rodgers-Cromartie to re-capture glory with the Broncos in 2013, as the youngster’s recent down years in Philly were just a product of his surroundings.
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