Eagles Wake-Up Call: DRC Vs. Megatron

 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie talked about what goes into his preparation when getting set to face an opponent.

“I flip the book open and I look at each receiver. I look at speed first, that’s the first thing I do, and I see what they ran in the 40,” said Rodgers-Cromartie. “Then I look at the statistics and see how many times they’ve been thrown at.”

And what does Calvin Johnson clock in at?

“He is 4.38. Everybody else 4.5 or plus,” said Rodgers-Cromartie.

“For 4.5 and plus, I say in my head I’m going to beat you with my feet. I’m not really going to put my hands on you and try to slow you down because I know I’m quick enough to react. A guy like Calvin Johnson, I want to try to disrupt him, get up there put my hands on him and slow him down, not let him get going.”

Rodgers-Cromartie said that he has not only experience but success shadowing Johnson. The stats seem to back him up. In a meeting between the Lions and DRC’s old team, the Cardinals, back in 2009, Johnson was limited to three catches for 35 yards.

“The only tendency you can get on guys like Calvin Johson is you know they’re going to get the ball, you know it’s coming no matter what situation it is, first, second or third down,” said Rodgers-Cromartie. “Just go out and play. You might think they going to run a deep in because the formation says so but you still have to go out and cover.

“You know he’s the guy who can beat you. You know what he’s capable of, at the same time you have to line up and make him beat you. That’s the way I was always taught, make him beat you.”

WHAT YOU MISSED

Sheil activates the All-22 tape to see what worked and what didn’t on offense against the Steelers.

The latest national power rankings are in. The Eagles took a dip.

Casey Matthews made the most of his snaps Sunday. Is more playing time ahead?

 Calvin Johnson has an idea how the Eagles will try to defend him.

 Brandon Graham is making a push for even more playing time.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Marcus Hayes takes a look at Mychal Kendricks’ unique background and his tight ties to the arts.

“There’s two kinds of people in the world: cockroaches and ants,” Kendricks said. “When the lights come on, the cockroaches run. The ants? They just keep on working.”

Reuben Frank has a nice piece on Ricky Watters, who will serve as an honorary captain Sunday.

“That whole ‘For Who, For What,’ that was never what I was really about. I never felt that way about the fans or about the organization. I loved my time there. I want them to understand how much I loved being there.

Tommy Lawlor over at Iggles Blitz gives a detailed breakdown of the loss to the Steelers.

COMING UP

Preparation continues for the Lions. Marty Mornhinweg, Juan Castillo and Bobby April address the media today.