Former Arizona Cardinal Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie learned from first Super Bowl try

Jan 28, 2014, 4:29 PM | Updated: 4:30 pm

Denver Broncos cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie made some headlines Monday when he told the media he might retire if his team wins the Super Bowl on Sunday.

“I had a goal of playing 5 years, and I reached that,” Rodgers-Cromartie said.

Just 27 years old and coming off a pretty productive season, it would be a pretty odd move (and it’s one he’s since backed off of, at least a little).

Rodgers-Cromartie has had a bit of an up-and-down career since being drafted 16th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2008.

As a rookie, he picked off four passes and helped lead the Cardinals to the Super Bowl. The next season, he intercepted six passes and was invited to the Pro Bowl.

But in 2010 he picked off just three passes, and following the season he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in the deal that brought quarterback Kevin Kolb to the desert.

Following two fairly unproductive seasons in the City of Brotherly Love, DRC found a home with the Denver Broncos, where he has had a bit of a career renaissance.

The former Tennessee State star collected three interceptions to go along with 31 tackles. Without him, the Broncos probably don’t reach the Super Bowl. It will be the cornerback’s second appearance in the big game, though years later the first one still stings a bit.

“Not to the point where it beats me up, but just to the point that we were that close to getting a ring,” Rodgers-Cromartie said Monday.

He was close, as the Cardinals let a late lead slip away and lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-23.

“I do tend to think about it a lot,” DRC added. “Anytime the Super Bowl comes back around, they tend to show that play to this day. You sit there, look at it and think, ‘I was almost there.’ You can’t dwell on it. [That was] the main thing I learned from that game, and I am looking forward to playing in this one.”

Rodgers-Cromartie finished with five solo tackles in the game, but could only watch as Ben Roethlisberger’s pass found Santonio Holmes in the corner of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown in the last minute.

Hoping to avoid a similar fate, DRC says he’s learned from his experience.

“I was a rookie,” he said. “I was young. I was still grasping the concept of being in the NFL. I was just happy-go-lucky. I was happy to be there, very excited and really enjoyed it. Now being a little older, I can keep my mind back and understand that we are here to play a game, and after we get a victory, we can really enjoy it.”

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Farrior (51) and safety Ryan Clark during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) runs past Arizona Cardinals defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (29) during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker reacts after a long run in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals inthe NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) pulls in a pass as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Farrior (51) makes the tackle with help from Ryan Clark (25) during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) is taken down by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden (20) during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Arizona Cardinals safety Matt Ware (22) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) with Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend (26) approaching in the third quarter during the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes, left, breaks away from Arizona Cardinals defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes, left, breaks away from Arizona Cardinals defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt yells from the sidelines during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looks to pass the ball during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt react to a call during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (90) and Arizona Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry (92) after throwing the ball during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Farrior (51) makes the tackle with help from Ryan Clark (25) during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla.(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona Cardinals lineman Mike Gandy (69) and teammates react on the bench during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes, left, tries to fend off Arizona Cardinals defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla.(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker (39) runs through Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson (24) and Antrel Rolle during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner reacts to a play in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers duringthe NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Jeff Reed (3) kicks field goal in third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes reacts after a pass reception in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) looks to hand the ball off in front of Arizona Cardinals defensive end Chike Okeafor (56) during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, center, looks to pass as he is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, left, is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jerheme Urban pulls in a pass as Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark defends during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass as his teammate Heath Miller(83) holds off Arizona Cardinals defensive end Chike Okeafor during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates his touchdown with his teammate Brian St. Pierre during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor (24) after making a reception during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) gets pressured by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (90) during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches a 1-yard touchdown pass in front of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor, top, during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald reacts after his 1-yard touchdown reception against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates his touchdown with his teammate Brian St. Pierre during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay (22) tackles Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Steve Breaston (15) during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner (13) walks off the field during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) A flag flies in the end zone after Pittsburgh Steelers center Justin Hartwig (62) is called for holding during fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger reacts to a safety as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby jumps in the background during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta) Arizona Cardinals cornerback Roderick Hood signals back to the bench that the Cardinals scored a safety against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of a holding penalty in the end zone in the fourth quarter the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs past Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor (24) for a 64 yard touchdown during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, bottom center, is congratulated by teammates after his fourth-quarter touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. At left is Anquan Boldin. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) A Pittsburgh Steelers fan reacts as Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald completes his 64-yeard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) makes a touchdown reception against Arizona Cardinals safety Aaron Francisco (47) during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) celebrates his touchdown pass to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes(10) is congratulated by his teammate Mewelde Moore after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. The Steelers won 27-23. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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