Cro named Jets MVP

There’s only one Revis Island, but Antonio Cromartie came pretty close.

The Jets cornerback was named the team MVP Friday for his impressive defensive play in the absence of injured star Darrelle Revis. Cromartie got off to a blistering start, intercepting three passes in the first six weeks of the season. But teams opposing offensive coordinators quickly learned to stay away from his side of the field. With two games remaining, Cromartie has 31 tackles, 13 passes defensed and one pick 6.

“It’s a great accomplishment and it just speaks volumes of what the guys think of me as a player and trying to be a leader of this football team,” he said. “Honestly, without them I wouldn't be the MVP. After Revis went down, the guys looked to me to try to make sure we turned it up and did the things we needed to do on the back end.”

Cromartie said the award was “bittersweet” because the Jets (6-8) have already been eliminated from postseason contention. “It’s been good,” he said of his individual season. “I’d rather have a winning record, though, to be honest with you, and to have a chance to make the playoffs.

“It’s kind of a bittersweet award. We have so much talent and so much leadership on this team. We want to make sure we finish off this season in the last two games and try to finish at .500 rather than to have a losing record.”

Linebacker David Harris won the Dennis Byrd Most Inspirational Award; the Ed Block Courage Award, which also is voted on by the team, went to tight end Jeff Cumberland;  defensive tackle Mike DeVito won the Marty Lyons Community Service award; and newly-named starting quarterback Greg McElroy and right tackle Austin Howard shared the Kyle Clifton Good Guy award honors.