Photo: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie,#45 CB/FS, 6-2/182, All-OVC, preseason All-American, Rated #5 out of 207 CB by NFL Draft Scout.com, 40 Time: 4.44
By MIKE ORGAN, Staff Writer -The Tennessean
Teams won't throw toward TSU senior
Kickoff of the 2007 football season draws nearer every day, and for the most part excitement amongst players and coaches grows greater.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie might be the exception.
With the Tigers set to open Sept. 1 against Alabama A&M in the John Merritt Classic, the Tennessee State cornerback could be looking at a season of boredom and monotony.
He made such a name for himself last year that opposing offenses this year are sure to avoid Rodgers-Cromartie at all cost. Especially because the starting cornerback position on the other side of the Tigers defense is up for grabs among several candidates.
"I know what he's facing," said TSU defensive backs coach Randy Fuller, a former Tigers defensive back. "I was an All-American my junior year, and then my senior year teams would hardly ever throw my way. It was frustrating. Teams are going to throw away from him, throw away, throw away, but then they're going to throw right at him hoping to catch him sleeping."
Big season in 2006
Rodgers-Cromartie, a 6-3 senior from Bradenton, Fla., finished last season ranked third in the nation with six interceptions.
That helped make him a preseason All-America candidate this season and a member of the preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference first team.
"Being named an All-American and All-OVC means I have to go out there and live up to those standards," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "In some ways it is a good thing, but in some ways it could be a bad thing. The thing I worry about is that I don't get lazy and get unfocused, and then they come and hit me for a big play.''
Coach James Webster said he expected Rodgers-Cromartie to develop into the type of defensive force he has become. Rodgers-Cromartie has nine career interceptions.
"Dominique is one of the premier athletes in the country, and I'm not just talking about this team or the OVC; I'm talking about in the country," Webster said. "I wish teams would continue to throw at him, but they probably won't."
Webster, however, is not worried about the inactivity on the field causing a problem for Rodgers-Cromartie.
"I just think that as he has learned how to work better and work harder," Webster said. "He did a great job this summer of improving his work habits and things like that, and I'm real pleased with him."
Cisneros to punt: Former Mt. Juliet quarterback and punter Taylor Cisneros has earned the starting punting position.
Cisneros is a walk-on who will replace Tim Ehret, who was a senior last year and played just one season at TSU.
Cisneros averaged 43 yards per punt at Mt. Juliet last season and was named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 3-A All-State team as a quarterback.
By MIKE ORGAN, Staff Writer -The Tennessean
Teams won't throw toward TSU senior
Kickoff of the 2007 football season draws nearer every day, and for the most part excitement amongst players and coaches grows greater.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie might be the exception.
With the Tigers set to open Sept. 1 against Alabama A&M in the John Merritt Classic, the Tennessee State cornerback could be looking at a season of boredom and monotony.
He made such a name for himself last year that opposing offenses this year are sure to avoid Rodgers-Cromartie at all cost. Especially because the starting cornerback position on the other side of the Tigers defense is up for grabs among several candidates.
"I know what he's facing," said TSU defensive backs coach Randy Fuller, a former Tigers defensive back. "I was an All-American my junior year, and then my senior year teams would hardly ever throw my way. It was frustrating. Teams are going to throw away from him, throw away, throw away, but then they're going to throw right at him hoping to catch him sleeping."
Big season in 2006
Rodgers-Cromartie, a 6-3 senior from Bradenton, Fla., finished last season ranked third in the nation with six interceptions.
That helped make him a preseason All-America candidate this season and a member of the preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference first team.
"Being named an All-American and All-OVC means I have to go out there and live up to those standards," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "In some ways it is a good thing, but in some ways it could be a bad thing. The thing I worry about is that I don't get lazy and get unfocused, and then they come and hit me for a big play.''
Coach James Webster said he expected Rodgers-Cromartie to develop into the type of defensive force he has become. Rodgers-Cromartie has nine career interceptions.
"Dominique is one of the premier athletes in the country, and I'm not just talking about this team or the OVC; I'm talking about in the country," Webster said. "I wish teams would continue to throw at him, but they probably won't."
Webster, however, is not worried about the inactivity on the field causing a problem for Rodgers-Cromartie.
"I just think that as he has learned how to work better and work harder," Webster said. "He did a great job this summer of improving his work habits and things like that, and I'm real pleased with him."
Cisneros to punt: Former Mt. Juliet quarterback and punter Taylor Cisneros has earned the starting punting position.
Cisneros is a walk-on who will replace Tim Ehret, who was a senior last year and played just one season at TSU.
Cisneros averaged 43 yards per punt at Mt. Juliet last season and was named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 3-A All-State team as a quarterback.
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