El jueves, tan solo 24 horas antes de que el Plata y Negro jugara ante los Green Bay Packers en el tercer partido de la pretemporada 2018, el equipo contrató al veterano Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie y con ello añadió mas liderazgo y experiencia a un grupo relativamente joven.
Se integra al equipo después de haber jugado en Arizona, Philadelphia, Denver y más recientemente en New York donde jugo cuatro temporadas con los Giants. En 10 temporadas en la NFL ha sido seleccionado al Pro Bowl en dos ocasiones y ha registrado 30 intercepciones, devolviendo siete hasta las diagonales. Ha defendido 150 pases, forzado seis balones perdidos y recuperado dos y también tiene 2.5 capturas de mariscal.
En lo que será su onceava temporada, Cromartie esperó siempre listo la mayor parte del verano para integrarse a un equipo, pero no se concretó nada hasta que McKenzie y Gruden le llamaron. Esta ansioso y agradecido por la oportunidad que tiene con los Raiders, pero sabe que aprender sistema defensivo de Paul Guenther no será sencillo.
"Lo más importante es entender las bases y no estar sondeando a los demás y como juegan ya con las hombreras puestas," comentó Dominique. "Ha sido muy difícil pues el aprender un nuevo esquema donde los términos son muy diferentes es difícil. En base a mi experiencia de mucho tiempo sé que son las coberturas de tres, dos y uno, es solo como está implementada la terminología."
Algo sorpresivo fue que Cromartie participó en el partido del viernes contra los Packers durante nueve jugadas, tan solo un día después de integrarse al equipo y no se puede descartar que el jueves verá más acción cuando el equipo enfrente a los Seattle Seahawks.
En el corto tiempo que ha estado con los Raiders, Cromartie ya ha realizado algunas observaciones sobre el equipo y cree que hay una buena mezcla de experiencia y juventud en el plantel.
"Creo que tenemos una buena combinación de veteranos y jóvenes," dijo Cromartie. "Tenemos individuos que solo quieren jugar football, pero con mucho liderazgo y muchos de ellos entienden el deporte."
También se ha dado cuenta de lo serio que es Gruden sobre el deporte del football.
"Son individuos con mucho carácter y les puedo decir que prefiero no caerles mal," comentó.
La defensiva secundaria de los Raiders busca mejorar en el 2018 y el esquinero Gareon Conley será un jugador clave en ese proceso. El veterano de dos años tiene mucho potencial, pero las lesiones lo han limitado. Cromartie cree que él puede ayudar a Conley ha mejorar y convertirse en un excelente jugador.
"Entendiendo el punto de vista de la NFL que define que te van a apabullar, es un jugador joven que tiene mucho por aprender," explicó Cromartie. "Es rudo, busca derribarte, por lo que lo más importante es solo asegurarse que esté enfocado todo el tiempo."
Será cuestión de ver como se integra Cromartie a la defensive pero la presencia de otra voz veterana en el vestidor no está de más. No hay que olvidar que Cromartie interceptó seis pases tan solo hace dos años. Gruden definitivamente tratará de propiciar que repita esa hazaña pero ahora con el Plata y Negro.
Players return to the practice fields at Raiders HQ after a 13-6 preseaon win over the Green Bay Packers.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders quarterbacks and centers on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jordy Nelson (82) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Johnny Holton (16) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Martavis Bryant (12) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Emmanuel Lamur (54) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) and head coach Jon Gruden on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Connor Flagel (93) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders fullback Keith Smith (41) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Chris Warren III (34) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Tank Carradine (96) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Connor Cook (18) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Azeem Victor (57) and linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett and wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders safety Marcus Gilchrist (31) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive guard Jordan Simmons (65) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders center James Stone (62) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, quarterback Derek Carr (4) and wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) and cornerback Rashaan Melvin (22) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Isaac Whitney (19) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver and return specialist Dwayne Harris (17) and cornerback Leon Hall (29) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Donald Penn (72) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive lineman Oday Aboushi (60) and defensive tackle Gabe Wright (74) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive guard Denver Kirkland (79) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive lineman Oday Aboushi (60) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Bruce Irvin (51) and guard Kolton Miller (77) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Fadol Brown (95) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Isaac Whitney (19) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Brandon Parker (75) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive end James Cowser (47), tight end Derek Carrier (85), and cornerback Shareece Wright (35) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Kolton Miller (77) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive lineman Ian Silberman (67) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tight end Pharaoh Brown (81) and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (36) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Chris Warren III (34) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Monday, August 27, 2018, in Alameda, California.
