The Battle of New York that preceded The Battle Of New York Friday night began with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie meeting Rex Ryan in March. Early advantage, Jets.
“Ah man, a high-spirited guy,” DRC told The Post as he began recollecting the whirlwind three days that changed his life, as well as the fortunes of the Giants and Jets. “A guy that as soon as you meet him, big smile, big hug, a high-spirited friendly.”
DRC, the most coveted free-agent cornerback on the market, had flown into New Jersey for recruiting visits with the Jets and Giants. The Jets were up first. DRC met with Ryan’s defensive staff and general manager John Idzik.
“They definitely got some good guys over there and the things that they’re trying to do in their program,” DRC said.
Asked if the Jets tried to get him to sign, to keep him in the building, DRC said: “I don’t remember, to be honest with you. They told me how they’d use me and stuff like that. Then I went home and get some rest. I had to meet with the Giants the next day.”
Asked if the Jets knew he would be meeting with the Giants, DRC said: “Yes. At the end of the day, you got to use all your options when you’re out there on the market like that. You just can’t go with your first instincts no matter what how good it was.”
What if the Jets had offered the same five-year, $35 million contract he would receive from the Giants? Would DRC have canceled his visit with the Giants?
“No matter what I was gonna take the visit,” DRC said.
When he arrived at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center the following day, Giants GM Jerry Reese was among the first to greet him. Reese introduced him to Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell and the defensive staff.
DRC and fellow free agents Walter Thurmond III and Quintin Demps went to dinner that night with Tom Coughlin and the defensive staff.
“Somebody you know who’s all about business, and you gotta come in and he runs a tight ship,” DRC said.
DRC returned to the hotel. “I was still up in the air,” he said.
Until the following day when he returned to Quest. “I really prayed on it, to be honest,” DRC said outside Quest. “I went into a room, talked to my agent. I felt more comfortable over here.”
The Giants made their offer and DRC signed.
“I just went with my gut feeling,” DRC said outside Quest, “and it was here.
“It wasn’t just the money, no.”
He loves being a New York Giant. “A true family and a true brotherhood here,” DRC said.
Friday night, DRC might get a chance to pick Mike Vick, his former teammate with the Eagles. “He’s a hard-working man, don’t say much, just comes out and just practice hard and try to lead,” DRC said.
Vick has deferred to Geno Smith, even with a hunger to start. DRC, asked if Vick can still be a starter in this league, said: “No question. He took on that [backup] role, that says a lot about him. Everybody knows it’s a long season, you never know what happens through a season, all you can do is grind and wait it out.”
DRC, who was finishing a one-year deal with the Broncos, clarified remarks during Super Bowl Week that were misinterpreted as him pondering retirement. “I’ve seen plenty of people get a one-year deal and that haven’t been back since,” he said.
Asked if he still loves this game, DRC said simply: “Turn the film on.”
When the Jets turn the film on, they’ll be sure to cringe when they see DRC at a position they so desperately need: shutdown corner.
“I definitely know that it’s a big game,” DRC said.
A game in which Eli Manning won’t have to worry about DRC. A game in which Smith and Vick will.