Jets aquire cromartie from chargers

[Jaydc]

NEW YORK -- It just got a lot tougher to throw against the New York Jets.

A few hours before the NFL's free agency period began, the Jets improved their secondary in a big way by agreeing in principle with the San Diego Chargers to acquire talented but troubled cornerback Antonio Cromartie on Thursday night.

The Jets confirmed the deal.

League sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter the Jets will give the Chargers a 2011 third-round draft pick that could turn into a second-round pick.

Cromartie has one year left on his contract and there are no plans for his deal to be redone now.

Cromartie was an All-Pro in 2007 and will team with Darrelle Revis in the Jets' secondary, making them possibly the best cornerback tandem in the NFL. Cromartie replaces Lito Sheppard, who was released earlier in the day after one disappointing season.

It could be a welcome change for Cromartie, who has struggled the last two seasons. He has 15 interceptions in four seasons since being the 19th overall pick out of Florida State in 2006, but the Chargers were dissatisfied with Cromartie's performance late last season and in the playoffs. General manager A.J. Smith made it clear he would try to trade him.


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One of Cromartie's low moments actually came against his new team in the playoffs in January. Cromartie froze as Jets running back Shonn Greene hit the hole at the start of a 53-yard touchdown run that gave New York a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter of a 17-14 win in the AFC divisional round. Cromartie eventually caught up to Greene and gave him a shove well after he'd crossed the goal line -- but he had already drawn the ire of fans and apparently the Chargers.

The 25-year-old Cromartie also has had his share of legal troubles. He has dealt with at least five paternity suits; he has fathered seven children by several woman. Cromartie also had a bar patron claim that he hit him in the head with a champagne bottle hours after the team's victory at Denver last November. San Diego police later said there was not enough evidence to prove the claim.

He was also disciplined by coach Norv Turner for breaking team rules regarding tweeting from the team premises.

Despite the issues both on and off the field, Cromartie gives Jets coach Rex Ryan an athletic player with loads of potential.

In his second season in 2007, Cromartie set the Chargers' franchise record with an NFL-leading 10 interceptions, and added two more picks in the playoffs as San Diego made it to the AFC championship game. He also was credited earlier in the season with the longest play in NFL history when he returned a missed field goal by Minnesota 109 yards for a touchdown.

He boasted the next season that he wanted to break the NFL record for interceptions with 14, but had just two while playing throughout the year with a hip injury. Cromartie had three interceptions last season.

[Jaydc]

I love the move,the guys got amazing talent,under rex ryan I think hes going to live up to his potential,especially with revis helping him out.The jets defense is going to be scary next season when you add cromartie,kris jenkins back from injury and possibly addelius thomas after the pats cut him.Not to mention what they add in the draft.

I wouldnt mind the jets giving up their first pick for brandon marshall.

[Citizen-Y]

[Shallow]

The Jets are gonna be trouble to pass against now, as if they already weren't before. Revis will still be one on one with the number 1 and Cromartie will be helping double the #2.

[Chamillitary Click]

this defense will better than #1.

now we just gotta sign Ed Reed & we can be crowned.

[.:DaYg0sTyLz:.]

QBs will be picking on Cromartie all year lol

[Lunatic]

Lot of ppl talk a lot of shit about Cromartie. The guy isn't half bad but also hasn't come close to living up to the potential. He gives up and looks lazy on some plays. He's certainly not good enough to be a #1.

With that said, the Jets made a very good move. With Revis on the other side, Cromartie makes for a very solid #2. I wish the Titans traded for him like ESPN was rumoring.

QB's will have to be forced to try and pick on Cromartie for obvious reasons - will see how it works out - but if I was a Jets fan, I love the move (for now).

[Chamillitary Click]

Cromartie, no matter your opinion on him, is our best possible option for #2 Corner.

even if he doesn't play phenominally & he'll get the chance to with every QB in Football afriad to throw it Revis's way, i still can't be upset with him; because i'd rather him than anyone we currently have.

big move.

[.:DaYg0sTyLz:.]

Cromartie, no matter your opinion on him, is our best possible option for #2 Corner.

even if he doesn't play phenominally & he'll get the chance to with every QB in Football afriad to throw it Revis's way, i still can't be upset with him; because i'd rather him than anyone we currently have.

big move.

Its not a BAD idea picking him up.  Just dont see it as a big difference maker.

[Teddy Roosevelt]

Lot of ppl talk a lot of shit about Cromartie. The guy isn't half bad but also hasn't come close to living up to the potential. He gives up and looks lazy on some plays. He's certainly not good enough to be a #1.

With that said, the Jets made a very good move. With Revis on the other side, Cromartie makes for a very solid #2. I wish the Titans traded for him like ESPN was rumoring.

QB's will have to be forced to try and pick on Cromartie for obvious reasons - will see how it works out - but if I was a Jets fan, I love the move (for now).

Cromartie was the #2 corner on the Chargers. Quentin Jammer was always covering the opposing teams best WR while Cromartie would blow coverage and miss tackles on the #2 WR. Unless Revis schools Cromartie, he is doomed to make the same mistakes with the Jets.

[.:DaYg0sTyLz:.]

Lot of ppl talk a lot of shit about Cromartie. The guy isn't half bad but also hasn't come close to living up to the potential. He gives up and looks lazy on some plays. He's certainly not good enough to be a #1.

With that said, the Jets made a very good move. With Revis on the other side, Cromartie makes for a very solid #2. I wish the Titans traded for him like ESPN was rumoring.

QB's will have to be forced to try and pick on Cromartie for obvious reasons - will see how it works out - but if I was a Jets fan, I love the move (for now).

Cromartie was the #2 corner on the Chargers. Quentin Jammer was always covering the opposing teams best WR while Cromartie would blow coverage and miss tackles on the #2 WR. Unless Revis schools Cromartie, he is doomed to make the same mistakes with the Jets.

he is just an athletic guy with one big season.  after that season he's spent most of his time getting burned.  He gambles too much.  He's like Deion Sanders...without the talent.

[Shallow]

this defense will better than #1.

now we just gotta sign Ed Reed & we can be crowned.

There should be a rule against having Revis and Ed Reed in the same backfield.

[.:DaYg0sTyLz:.]

this defense will better than #1.

now we just gotta sign Ed Reed & we can be crowned.

Sanchez sophmore jinx..

[Chamillitary Click]

this defense will better than #1.

now we just gotta sign Ed Reed & we can be crowned.

Sanchez sophmore jinx..

based on what the rest of the league says about Sanchez, is he even elligible for a "Sophmore Slump"?

don't you have to be good?

[Jaydc]

I think rex and revis will bring out the best in cromartie.And if he doesnt play to his potential ryan has no qualms about benching him,look at kerry rhodes.Playing in san diego is not the same as playing on the jets under rex ryan I think it will bring out the best in him.I think the jets d is looking beastly now,all they need is a pass rusher.