After listening to the Jets’ pitch on Saturday, free agent cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will travel a few miles east to listen to what the Giants have to say.
Both local teams are vying for the services of Rodgers-Cromartie as their options to add cornerbacks dwindle. The best corner left on the free-agent market spent Saturday visiting the Jets, but left Florham Park without a deal. Now, he is on to East Rutherford on Sunday to meet with the Giants, according to a source.
Cornerback is a huge need for both the Jets and the Giants, but there is a question of whether either team will meet the asking price of Rodgers-Cromartie. It is highly doubtful either team would come close to the $9 million per year offer he turned down in Denver.
Jets fans are beginning to panic after watching cornerback after cornerback sign with teams this week. The Jets are searching for a replacement for Antonio Cromartie, a cousin of Rodgers-Cromartie.
Gang Green released Cromartie last week after four years with the team. They passed on Darrelle Revis and missed out on Vontae Davis and Alterraun Verner, all of whom signed early in the free-agency period. At the moment, the Jets’ top two cornerbacks are Dee Milliner and Kyle Wilson.
After watching Revis sign with the Patriots this week, Jets fans could get dealt another blow if Rodgers-Cromartie signs with their crosstown rivals Sunday. The Giants are looking for someone to start alongside Prince Amukamara. They voided Corey Webster’s deal last month and Terrell Thomas is a free agent. The Giants did re-sign Trumaine McBride, but they still are thin at the position.
Rodgers-Cromartie is coming off a three-interception season for the AFC champion Broncos and he turns just 28 next month. Denver let him walk after he reportedly turned down a six-year, $54 million contract. The Broncos signed Aqib Talib instead.
The man known as “DRC” is viewed as talented but flighty. He scared off some teams during the week before the Super Bowl when he spoke about possibly retiring. He has played for the Cardinals, Eagles and Broncos.
Rodgers-Cromartie is the top cornerback left. If the teams don’t sign him, the only other top corners left are Walter Thurmond III and Antonio Cromartie. The Jets did not rule out bringing Cromartie back when they cut him last week, but it was thought to be unlikely. He has been visiting the Cardinals, but had not signed yet as of Saturday night.