Cromartie ready to tackle all challenges
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin, left, catches a 36-yard touchdown pass while covered by New York Jets defensive back Antonio Cromartie. (Sept. 11, 2011) Credit: AP
Antonio Cromartie is eager to handle it all, whether it be on defense, special teams or, surprisingly, even offense.
The cornerback, who got torched a few times by Dallas' wide receiving corps in Sunday night's season opener, is embracing his expanding roles in his second season with the Jets.
In addition to his defensive duties, Rex Ryan said the plan is for Cromartie and backup running back Joe McKnight to rotate on kickoff returns. "They're both our speed guys, but I think Cro could be exceptional back there," the coach said.
The challenge, of course, is not to overload his starters too much with other assignments. "That's a fine line there. It really is," Ryan said.
The Jets surprised the Cowboys by using Cromartie more than rookie Jeremy Kerley, who had been listed first on the depth chart, in the return game.
"That was sort of the plan," said Cromartie, who holds the record for the longest return in NFL history, a 109-yard touchdown return on a missed field goal in 2007. "We just wanted to go in and see how I felt during that time receiving the ball and how my body felt going through playing on defense. But overall it felt good. There's some things we can get better at on that kickoff return team.
"I know he don't want me to return the ball 9 yards deep anymore," he said with a laugh, referring to special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff.
Cromartie, who's used to having special teams responsibilities, said he felt fine physically Monday.
"It's something I've been doing since high school, so it felt real natural," he said.
The Jets even used Cromartie on offense -- albeit for one fake end-around play -- Sunday.
"I knew that question was coming," the cornerback joked when asked about the surprise wrinkle. "I don't know [if that's something I'll be doing more of]. When we came in, they were like, 'We want to try to run this one play with you,' so it was just for this week. I don't know what's going to be going on for the next few weeks. So I'm just on a need-to-know basis going into practice."
But Cromartie said he's hoping for many more chances to showcase his skills with quarterback Mark Sanchez on the field.
"Definitely, definitely," he said with a smile. "I feel like I could be a great vertical threat, so we'll see what's going to happen."
