ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -Carlos Rogers seemed destined to become one of those high first-round draft picks who never quite lived up to his potential.
He was developing into a serviceable starting cornerback, relying on his raw talent without taking the game as seriously as he should. Surely the Washington Redskins weren’t getting full value for a player chosen with the ninth overall selection in the 2005 draft.
“As a rookie, you come in, you got a little money,” Rogers said. “You want to go out and do things.”
That’s out on the town – not out on the field. Rogers didn’t study video or take care of his body like a true pro. He became known for dropping potential interceptions and little else. It was easy to tell by his body language that he was coasting through the NFL life.
tting down the opponents’ top receivers.
Rogers is tied for second in the league in deflected passes with 11 and has yet to be beaten for a touchdown this season. He’s a key reason the Redskins are off to a 5-2 start with a defense ranked sixth in the NFL.
“He started to focus,” defensive coordinator Greg Blache said. “He started to concentrate on the detail of the game, and that’s one of the big parts of becoming a professional. … All of a sudden, all the wires connected. All the pieces fit. All of a sudden, the light came on, ‘Hey, I’m a big-time corner.’
“He’s always been fearless, but now he’s got this knowledge and this confidence to go along with his courage and that natural athletic ability to become a big-time player.”
Over the last three games, Rogers has corralled three standout receivers: DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles, Torry Holt of the St. Louis Rams and Braylon Edwards of the Cleveland Browns.
Edwards, held to four catches for 58 yards, said he was frustrated virtually the entire game while facing Rogers in the Redskins’ 14-11 victory. His play has made the nagging injuries to veteran cornerback Shawn Springs, who has already missed three games this season, more bearable.
‘This is what I’ve got to learn. This what I’ve got to do.’ His preparation is totally different.”
Rogers said he used to take a shower immediately after midweek practices so that he could beat a path out the door once the final meetings were over. Now he’ll spend time in the ice tub instead – he hates it, but it’s good for the muscles – and will stay later to watch video to prepare for the next game.
Last week, Rogers missed two days of practice because of a sore calf and felt unsure of his preparation for the Browns game, so he did something unusual: He met with secondary coach Jerry Gray in the team hotel Saturday night and analyzed video on Edwards. The old Rogers would have never done that.
What brought about the change in heart? Part of it is simple maturity. Part of it is the wisdom that comes with experience. Part of it stems from Rogers’ major knee injury last season, which forced him to spend months in difficult rehab while realizing how short an NFL career might be. He took the rehab seriously and returned much quicker than expected.
Whatever the cause, the result is a smarter football player, one who might be headed to a Pro Bowl or two if he continues to improve at this pace.
ump the route and intercept the pass – until one of his teammates batted it down at the line of scrimmage.
“It’s things you see like that from experience and studying,” Rogers said. “You know what’s going to happen before the play happens – instead of just guessing what a guy’s going to do.”
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