Carlos Rogers spent the first six years of his career in Washington, but as the Redskins struggles persisted, he realized it was “time for him to leave.” Given the dysfunctional state of the team throughout his tenure, who could blame him?
“I was just ready to go,” Rogers told reporters in a conference call earlier this week.
After a half a season in San Francisco, it’s evident he made the right decision.
Rogers already has a career-high with three interceptions – more than he had in the previous two years combined – and is finally experiencing what it’s like to play for a winner as his 49ers are 6-1 under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh.
It’s difficult to find fault in Rogers’ departure this offseason. He was tired of the instability, the losing and the constant turnover within the organization. Under constant scrutiny, he maintained his reputation as a standup professional who wanted nothing more than to play for a successful team.
Fans however, always had selective memories when it came to Rogers. They didn’t remember his solid coverage skills instead preferring to rip him for his legendary stone hands. He never fully lived up to the first round pick the Redskins used on him in the 2005 draft, but was still considered a viable starting cornerback.
“I liked him as a person and he was wanting a big payday and we weren’t going to go in that direction,” said Mike Shanahan. “If he was as consistent as we would have liked, then we would have signed him long term.”
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With Rogers all but admitting this offseason he didn’t want to stay with the Redskins, it was simple enough for the fans. They bid him good riddance and it seemed telling that other teams didn’t value him as he was forced to settle for a one-year contract rather than the long-term, big-money deal he had hoped for.
But now that negative perception is fine by him because the 49ers currently sit in first place in the NFC West and Rogers has been a key contributor on a defense giving up a league-low 107 points this season.
“I’m doing pretty good – not even just talking about the interceptions, you know everybody just looks at that – but I think all-around play, this is one of my real good seasons, including the interceptions,” Rogers said.
Rogers’ success is sure to leave some Redskins fans feeling a little bitter. There was never a question as to his potential and with San Francisco, he’s begun to reach it. For that reason, there’s a chance he’ll return to Washington as the villain.
Not that he cares since he’s getting the last laugh.
“I’m past the Redskins,” he said. “I’m over them. I just want to go out there and have fun, play against my friends and for bragging rights against them.”
