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Is Cromartie a Nnmadi Fallback Plan?
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: With NFL free agency still to come, the Cowboys' roster remains very much unfinished. In this summer series, DallasCowboys.com takes a look at a number of the veterans who could wind up in Dallas before the season begins. Today's featured player is Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie.)
Name: Antonio Cromartie
Position: Cornerback
College: Florida State
Height/Weight: 6-2/211
Age: 27
NFL Experience: 5 seasons
Availability: Like many free agents in this process, Cromartie's status will change depending on the result of the lockout resolution, whenever that might be. If free agency reverts back to four years, which will likely happen if a new salary-capped structure is implemented, Cromartie would then become unrestricted. However, if the 2010 rules are re-applied with no cap in place, Cromartie would be a restricted free agent. And the Jets have already placed the highest-available tender on him, which would give the team a first- and third-round pick if he signs with a new club.
What He Brings: Although he might be the second-best cornerback on the Jets roster, Cromartie is still considered by many as a Top-10 corner in the league. Playing opposite of Darrelle Revis has likely given Cromartie some opportunities to shine, but he's taken advantage. His body frame looks more like a safety, but his coverage and ball-hawking skills are certainly that of a corner. Cromartie has 18 career interceptions - all in the last four seasons - including 10 in 2007 alone with the Chargers. He's also a fine return specialist, evident by his crucial kickoff return in the fourth quarter against the Colts last season, which set up the Jets' game-winning field goal to advance them past the wild-card round.
Connections: While he doesn't have any direct connections with the Cowboys' current coaching staff, Cromartie has been on the radar for a while. He joined the Chargers' defense in 2006 when former head coach Wade Phillips was defensive coordinator in San Diego. And two years ago, the Cowboys had a chance to possibly trade for Cromartie in a player-for-player swap, but the deal fell through. Don't forget that his current coach, Rex Ryan, has probably filled in Rob Ryan with everything he needs to know about Cromartie, and any other potential free agent on the Jets roster.
Where Would He Fit: If signed, Cromartie would likely fit into the left cornerback position. That would mean the Cowboys would probably be parting ways with Terence Newman. If the team is expected to make a run at Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, which has been reported several times here in the last few weeks, then obviously the Cowboys are seeking some sort of upgrade at the position and would be prepared to dish out some serious coin. That being said, if the Cowboys are simply out-bid for his services, then Cromartie could be the next-best thing and would still be an upgrade over Newman, at a cheaper price than Asomugha.
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: With NFL free agency still to come, the Cowboys' roster remains very much unfinished. In this summer series, DallasCowboys.com takes a look at a number of the veterans who could wind up in Dallas before the season begins. Today's featured player is Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie.)
Name: Antonio Cromartie
Position: Cornerback
College: Florida State
Height/Weight: 6-2/211
Age: 27
NFL Experience: 5 seasons
Availability: Like many free agents in this process, Cromartie's status will change depending on the result of the lockout resolution, whenever that might be. If free agency reverts back to four years, which will likely happen if a new salary-capped structure is implemented, Cromartie would then become unrestricted. However, if the 2010 rules are re-applied with no cap in place, Cromartie would be a restricted free agent. And the Jets have already placed the highest-available tender on him, which would give the team a first- and third-round pick if he signs with a new club.
What He Brings: Although he might be the second-best cornerback on the Jets roster, Cromartie is still considered by many as a Top-10 corner in the league. Playing opposite of Darrelle Revis has likely given Cromartie some opportunities to shine, but he's taken advantage. His body frame looks more like a safety, but his coverage and ball-hawking skills are certainly that of a corner. Cromartie has 18 career interceptions - all in the last four seasons - including 10 in 2007 alone with the Chargers. He's also a fine return specialist, evident by his crucial kickoff return in the fourth quarter against the Colts last season, which set up the Jets' game-winning field goal to advance them past the wild-card round.
Connections: While he doesn't have any direct connections with the Cowboys' current coaching staff, Cromartie has been on the radar for a while. He joined the Chargers' defense in 2006 when former head coach Wade Phillips was defensive coordinator in San Diego. And two years ago, the Cowboys had a chance to possibly trade for Cromartie in a player-for-player swap, but the deal fell through. Don't forget that his current coach, Rex Ryan, has probably filled in Rob Ryan with everything he needs to know about Cromartie, and any other potential free agent on the Jets roster.
Where Would He Fit: If signed, Cromartie would likely fit into the left cornerback position. That would mean the Cowboys would probably be parting ways with Terence Newman. If the team is expected to make a run at Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, which has been reported several times here in the last few weeks, then obviously the Cowboys are seeking some sort of upgrade at the position and would be prepared to dish out some serious coin. That being said, if the Cowboys are simply out-bid for his services, then Cromartie could be the next-best thing and would still be an upgrade over Newman, at a cheaper price than Asomugha.
