Antonio Cromartie comes to Mark Sanchez's defense again
Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie speaks to the media at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J. on May 16, 2013. Credit: Mike Stobe
CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Antonio Cromartie came to Mark Sanchez's defense again, admonishing Jets fans for taking their frustrations out on him.
"That's ---- ," the Pro Bowl cornerback said in response to the boos for Sanchez during Saturday's Green and White scrimmage at SUNY Cortland.
"My thing is, if you're a fan, be a fan. He's our quarterback and Geno is our quarterback."
Sanchez has long been a target of Jets Nation. His mediocre play in 2011 and 2012 included 52 turnovers, the most in the NFL.
It wasn't the first time that Cromartie has come to Sanchez's aid. After their 28-7 Week 10 loss in Seattle -- a game in which Sanchez completed 9 of 22 passes, threw a costly red-zone interception and lost a fumble -- the cornerback fired back at the fans.
Powell comes up big
Bilal Powell powered the Jets' ground game, breaking off a 24-yard run against the first-team defense. With Mike Goodson, Chris Ivory and Joe McKnight sidelined, Saturday's scrimmage was a big boost for the soft-spoken Powell, who had six carries for 41 yards.
"I just want to come out and work hard every day," he said when asked about wanting the No. 1 job. "It's out of my control. My thing is just to come in and put good things on film and allow the coaches to [decide]."
Recently signed running back Chad Spann also broke off a couple of good runs, including a 10-yarder.
Jet streams
Guard Brian Winters went down with an ankle injury, but Rex Ryan doesn't believe it's serious . . . Eric Crocker intercepted Matt Simms . . . Geno Smith has yet to throw an interception but said he couldn't care less about that stat. "As a quarterback,'' he said, "my job is to take care of the ball."
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