Jets' Cromartie takes verbal shot at Ward
New York Jets corner back Antonio Cromartie stretches at practice as the team gets ready to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game. (Jan 19, 2011) Credit: Newsday / Joe Epstein
Antonio Cromartie nearly made it to the finish line without lobbing any verbal grenades in the Steelers' direction. But not quite.
Friday, on the Jets' final day of interviews before Sunday's AFC Championship Game, the outspoken cornerback had this to say about Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward on the SNY show "Loudmouths":
"I don't think he's a dirty player, but I know for a fact that he will hit you while you're not looking. I don't think he's man enough to hit you while you're looking at him."
Cromartie was responding to a question about similar sentiments expressed Thursday by defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, who said of Ward, "Our guys I think called him the toughest guy in the league when nobody's looking . . . I think our guys have played against them enough to know what he's all about."
Said Cromartie: "coach Pettine put it out there, and he's not lying about it."
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