Carlos Rogers never quite understood the bum rap
about his hands. Or maybe he simply remains in denial, which can be
as important to a cornerback as amnesia is to a kicker. Contrary to
public opinion polls back in Washington, D.C. – and a widespread
perception during his final season with the Redskins – he swears
his fingers are not attached to bricks or blocks of cement. He
gestured with his right hand while talking with media members
Wednesday, and sure enough, it’s true what he says.
Carlos Rogers never quite understood the bum rap about his hands. Or maybe he simply remains in denial, which can be as important to a cornerback as amnesia is to a kicker.
Contrary to public opinion polls back in Washington, D.C. – and a widespread perception during his final season with the Redskins – he swears his fingers are not attached to bricks or blocks of cement.
He gestured with his right hand while talking with media members Wednesday, and sure enough, it’s true what he says. He has 10 fingers and smooth palms. There is nothing noticeably wrong his hands, nothing to suggest his inability to secure interceptions last year was anything other than his inability to catch a few breaks. This is not to say, of course, that a change of environment hasn’t been extremely beneficial.
“I didn’t know much (about the 49ers),” said Rogers, one of several important offseason acquisitions. “I just knew they were going to a 3-4 (defense), which was something I was familiar with. That kind of led me to make the decision.”
Time, place, opportunity. After spending much of last year explaining away the inordinate number of potential interceptions that bounced off his chest or slipped out of his hands, the seventh-year pro came West and walked right into what proved to be a best-case scenario.
The 49ers shocked the football world with a 13-3 record, captured the NFC West, and a week ago, dispatched the formidable New Orleans Saints for their first playoff victory in the Alex Smith-Jim Harbaugh era. Additionally, the defense emerged as one of the NFL’s most punishing units, led by Patrick Willis, NoVorro Bowman, Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Dashon Goldson, Tarell Brown and Rogers, who contributed a career-high six interceptions.
“He’s done a really good job of throwing himself into our playbook and the coverages and the techniques that we like out of that position (slot corner),” said defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, “so he’s done a good job because mentally he prepares for it, he has the skill set to do it, and he’s had some experience.”
In his most recent experience against the New York Giants – the 49ers’ 27-20 victory Nov. 13 – Rogers registered the first multi-pick game of his NFL career, twice intercepting Giants quarterback Eli Manning. A week ago against Drew Brees and the Saints, he deflected two potential touchdown passes on the same third-quarter possession, both times elevating against wideout Adrian Arrington and swatting the ball away with his left hand.
“It all depends on the location of the ball, where you’re at,” the 6-foot, 190-pound Rogers said. “On the post (route), I couldn’t go around and get my right hand on the ball. Same thing on the slant. The only way to make the play was with my left.”
While the Giants’ passing game isn’t as prolific as that of the Saints, a receiving corps that features Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham presents plenty of problems. Nor does the 49ers secondary need to be reminded that it has allowed 14 receptions of 40 yards or longer, a chilling factor in itself.
Yet Fangio is quick to cite a counter-factor: the 49ers surprising success.
“If you’re 14-3 like we are right now, you’ve played good,” he said, “because you can’t win in this league without corners that can stand up to the passing game.”
Rogers, 30, credits Fangio’s schemes with influencing his career-best season. His six interceptions are the most since he swiped four passes during his sophomore season at Auburn. The fact those six picks have at least quieted criticism about his inability to hold onto opponent’s passes?
He smiles. He’ll take it. It’s a nice little bonus.
But Rogers, who was known for his excellent coverage even when he wasn’t swiping passes, isn’t one to retaliate with any “told ya so” responses. That’s never been his style. Media members are welcomed at his locker in good times and bad. The Augusta, Ga., native often addresses reporters with “sir” and “ma’am,” proving that even into his seventh season, some habits are hard to break.
Unlike some of his teammates and opponents, he won’t offer anything resembling bulletin board material, either. Manning. Cruz. Manningham. Nicks. It’s all good.
“Any time you get to this point, the quarterback (Manning) has to be playing well,” Rogers said. “You know what each receiver brings. Eli has a lot of confidence in those guys. The No.1 thing is to be on top of the receiver, just in case. If you can get your hands on the ball, if the ball is high enough, you can make a play on the ball. But on a deep ball and they catch it, just make sure it’s a tackle right there.”
After a pause, he added, thoughtfully, “Victor Cruz. Just make sure you tackle the receiver. Whoever has the ball. That’s where a lot of people mess up with extended plays, guys catching the ball at five yards and taking it 15-20 yards down the field. Even if they catch it, tackle them right there.”
