Cromartie: No hard feelings toward Jets
Antonio Cromartie of the New York Jets looks on against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (December 6, 2010) Credit: Getty
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Antonio Cromartie didn't need to be sweet-talked into returning to the Jets. Even though many are viewing Cromartie as a Plan B after the top cornerback in free agency, Nnamdi Asomugha, chose the Eagles over the Jets, Cromartie has no animosity toward the Jets after re-signing with them for four years and $32 million Monday.
Cromartie didn't seem bothered by the Jets' pursuit of Asomugha.
"We both went out and tested the market," Cromartie said. "I didn't see it as a Plan B. They went out after the best player that was out there and that was Nnamdi. There's no hard feelings. It's part of the business."
He expressed that sentiment several times in answering questions at a news conference after Jets practice, but he did get fired up when asked about people questioning his talent.
"Just know that I have a huge chip on my shoulder," Cromartie said. "At the end of the day, I still feel as though I'm a No. 1 corner. I feel like we have two No. 1 corners on this team. Do I feel like Nnamdi's better than me? No. Do I feel any other corner is better than me? No. But that's the confidence I have in myself, but at the end of the day, I have a chip on my shoulder just to prove to everyone the ability that I have and the faith that this organization has put into me to give me a four-year deal."
After missing out on Asomugha, the Jets made it a priority to get Cromartie back and pair him with Darrelle Revis. Cromartie had 42 tackles and three interceptions last season after being acquired from the Chargers last year for a second-round pick.
Coach Rex Ryan was happy to have Cromartie back and that the team will have three cornerbacks, including second-year player Kyle Wilson, signed for the next three years.
"Cromartie is a tremendous player," Ryan said. "It's not like he's not a Pro Bowl player himself. He probably has more talent than anyone playing the position, and that includes Revis."
Even with the Jets trying to land Asomugha, the lines of communication were open with Cromartie, who had interaction with other teams but said he was not close to signing elsewhere.
"He was clearly happy here and we were clearly happy with him," general manager Mike Tannenbaum said. "I told him a few days ago, in free agency, it's not where you start, it's where you finish."
