EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - The New York Giants’ secondary has gotten a lot stronger in the past couple of days, and so has their return game.
A year after missing the playoffs for the second straight season, the Giants continued to be a player in free agency, signing cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, formerly with Denver.
Terms of the contract were not immediately available.
A person with knowledge of the deal also confirmed late Monday night that the Giants have reached an agreement with former Denver Broncos kick returner Trindon Holliday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because Holliday has to pass physical Tuesday before the team will announce the move.
Holliday returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown in the Broncos 41-23 win over the Giants in the second week of last season.
The deals come just a day after the Giants confirmed the signing of former Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond and Chiefs safety Quintin Demps.
Rodgers-Cromartie and Prince Amukamara are probably penciled in as the starters at cornerback, with Thurmond, Jayron Hosley and Trumaine McBride backing them up. The safety spots will be just as strong with Antrel Rolle, Will Hill, Demps and Stevie Brown on the roster.
Demps led the league in kickoff returns with a 30.1 yard average, while Holliday was sixth at 27.7 yards. Holiday was seventh in punt returns with an 8.5 yard average.
The Giants have been very active since free agency started last week. They signed running back Rashad Jennings, guard Geoff Schwartz, re-signed free agent middle linebacker Jon Beason and added former Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain. They also re-signed running back Peyton Hillis, kicker Josh Brown, Stevie Brown, McBride and fullback Henry Hynoski.
“The main thing, bringing in guys from Kansas City, Seattle, you can see what they’re doing, trying to bring guys that are going to come in and lead by example,” said Rodgers-Cromartie, who started in the Super Bowl along with Thurmond. “That’s always a plus.”
A 2008 first round-draft choice and 2009 Pro Bowler, Rodgers-Cromartie is entering his seventh NFL season. He has also been with Arizona and Philadelphia, playing with Rolle while with the Cardinals.
“He brought me in, took me under his wing and took care of me,” Cromartie Rodgers said of Rolle. “So to be reunited with him is just a blessing. I know the things that he’s done in his career and the man he’s become. That’s going to be a help for me.”
Rodgers-Cromartie has played in 92 regular-season games with 75 starts and has started all nine postseason games in which he played. His career totals include 239 tackles (205 solo) and 19 interceptions.
Rodgers-Cromartie joined the Broncos last season as a free agent and played in 15 regular-season games with 13 starts at right cornerback. He finished the season with 31 tackles (25 solo), a team-high 15 passes defensed, and tied for the Broncos lead with three interceptions, including one of an Eli Manning pass late in the second quarter in Denver’s victory over the Giants at the Meadowlands on Sept. 15.
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