Tom Pelissero

USA TODAY Sports

DRC respects Seahawks corner and his antics but doesn%27t rank him among NFL%27s elite

NEWARK — Denver Broncos cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie says he liked Richard Sherman's postgame rant after the NFC Championship Game.

But Rodgers-Cromartie isn't down with the suggestion the Seattle Seahawks all-pro standout is the best cornerback in the NFL.

"As far as being the best, I wouldn't say that," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "As long as you got a Champ Bailey, an Asante Samuel, a Charles Woodson in the (league), you can't say you're the best."

All three of those veterans have seen better days. But Rodgers-Cromartie thinks there's something to be said for respecting your elders.

"You have to respect them," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "They put the time in. ... They paved the way."

Asked who else he'd put in his top five corners, DRC said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Darrelle Revis and his cousin, Antonio Cromartie of the New York Jets.

Asked about the remarks at his media session later Tuesday, Sherman said he agreed about respecting veterans and praised the players Rodgers-Cromartie mentioned.

Told Rodgers-Cromartie didn't put him in the top five, though, Sherman laughed: "Yeah, that's a joke."

Rodgers-Cromartie did acknowledge enjoyment of Sherman's postgame antics in which he called the San Francisco 49ers' Michael Crabtree "a sorry receiver" and directed a choke sign at Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose final pass Sherman tipped to teammate Malcolm Smith for a game-sealing interception.

"I seen it. I liked it," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "A lot of people think it was disrespectful. I didn't think that about that.

"He's a guy that's been playing well. They got the No. 1 defense. He's just made the play at the end of the game."

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