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..should the jets cut Antonio Cromartie ? ? ?


kelly

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February is cut month in the NFL, as teams position themselves (and their salary caps) for free agency. 

The NFL's new league year begins March 9 — less than a month from now. At some point between now and then, will the Jets cut cornerback Antonio Cromartie ?

They need to create significant salary cap space, as they attempt to re-sign their own top pending free agents: quarterbackRyan Fitzpatrick, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (who could receive a franchise tag of about $16 million), nose tackle Damon Harrison, and running backChris Ivory. It's safe to assume the Jets will cut wide receiver Jeremy Kerley and tight end Jeff Cumberland. Those moves would save $3.2 million combined against the cap. Cutting Cromartie would save a whopping $8 million in cap space, since he has no more guaranteed money remaining in his contract. 

But should the Jets do it ? 

Yes, there is a chance the Jets could get Cromartie to agree to a pay cut. But for the purposes of this exercise, we'll debate the merits of a straight-up cut. If the Jets got rid of him, they'd obviously need to find another starting cornerback to play opposite Darrelle Revis. Is Marcus Williams ready to assume that role? He was an undrafted rookie in 2014, but blossomed last year, with six interceptions. And what about Dee Milliner, the Jets' oft-injured top draft pick in 2013? If he's able to stay on the field, will he prove capable of starting? 

There's always the possibility the Jets use the 20th overall pick in this spring's draft on a cornerback.

Florida State's Jalen Ramsey is not expected to fall that far. He is considered the top corner available this year. But the Jets could find Florida's Vernon Hargreaves III, Clemson's Mackensie Alexander, and/or Ohio State's Eli Apple still available at No. 20. They're regarded as the next-best corners in this draft.The issue with retaining Cromartie isn't just salary cap related. He turns 32 in April and is entering his 11th season. He's not the player he once was. Far from it. Though he steadied himself after some brutal struggles midway through last season, he wasn't rated among the NFL's top corners by Pro Football Focus. 

Consider Cromartie's recent PFF ratings : 

2015 (with Jets): 103rd overall (of 118), 97th in coverage 

2014 (with Arizona): 41st overall (of 108), 40th in coverage 

2013 (with Jets): 104th overall (of 110), 109th in coverage 

In 2012 with the Jets, Cromartie ranked 18th overall and 13th in coverage. He made the Pro Bowl and had three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.But then nagging hip issues cropped up for Cromartie in 2013, when he had three picks, the same number he accumulated in 2014. (Cromartie had no picks in 2015.) In Arizona, Cromartie got past his hip problems, and played better. 

For the most part, Cromartie stayed healthy in 2015. His hip did not appear to be a significant issue for him. His struggles were simply a matter of production problems — technique lapses, and perhaps physical deterioration. (Could he have looked any worse in the Jets' loss at Oakland last season?) Cromartie is technically under contract through 2018, but that fact is trivial and meaningless, because the Jets can now go year to year with him, since all of his guaranteed money was front-loaded in 2015. You have to think that if the Jets do retain Cromartie for 2016, it'll probably be his final season. But should the Jets even opt for another go-around with Cromartie? Or is it time for them to give a young corner a chance to start opposite Revis? 

What do you folks think ? Sound off down in the comments. 

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/02/should_the_jets_cut_antonio_cromartie.html#incart_river_index

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Cro certainly didn't have a good year at all, but actually stepped up quite a bit in the second half of the season.  In truth I would probably say to throw him an offer to take a significant cut to stick around for another year, maybe around $3M, and if he doesn't agree, absolutely to be cut.  The point simply being that it wouldn't be such a bad thing if they could keep the cost low while still limiting the positions of need for the offseason.  Any FA CB worth a damn certainly wouldn't come cheap, and you want to avoid having needs going into the draft.

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Cro certainly didn't have a good year at all, but actually stepped up quite a bit in the second half of the season.  In truth I would probably say to throw him an offer to take a significant cut to stick around for another year, maybe around $3M, and if he doesn't agree, absolutely to be cut.  The point simply being that it wouldn't be such a bad thing if they could keep the cost low while still limiting the positions of need for the offseason.  Any FA CB worth a damn certainly wouldn't come cheap, and you want to avoid having needs going into the draft.

Why would Cromartie take a significant pay cut?

He's in the twilight of his career and will take all the money he can get.

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2 hours ago, PatsFanTX said:

Where is Bongo?

The guy was funny as hell.

That epic draft forum thread.

Things.... are in motion......   possible 14 team trade.......  Jets get Peyton Manning and Brady....... give up 14 future 1st rounders........

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9 minutes ago, PatsFanTX said:

Why would Cromartie take a significant pay cut?

He's in the twilight of his career and will take all the money he can get.

Cause he may not get more than 3.

Cut him, see what the market dictates, and if you can bring him back for 2-3, then that's fine.  But not for 8.

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3 hours ago, Beerfish said:

Is this double squiggle at the end of posts akin to Bongo and his.  I.......really..............like...............this....prospect.....cause.....I'm.....a...Tennessee....fan!

hi beerfish ~ ~ 

8fe0a043000d60be1086d1fb1b437d28.jpg

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Corners better than Cro on the roster currently:

Revis... end list.

Is he overpaid? Absolutely? Was he terrible for big stretches this season? Yes. He's still the 2nd best outside cover corner on the roster. We can sit here and opine about how good Marcus Williams might be, but in extended play and more than just the dime guy, he looked pretty average. Skrine is not good, McDougle never saw the field, and Milliner couldn't see the field even when he was healthy.

Cutting Cro makes fiscal sense, but restructuring him might make more sense. He's got some juice left. Unless they'd rather spend another high round draft pick on the spot.

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4 hours ago, PatsFanTX said:

Why would Cromartie take a significant pay cut?

He's in the twilight of his career and will take all the money he can get.

He's terrible so what he's under contract for is more money than he can get. Hence pay cut. His market is probably veteran minimum and I'd pay at least double that to not have him on the team.

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Marcus Williams outplayed him when given the opportunity this year.  I liked the signing last year as a 1 yr comittment to bring in a vet corner from Bowles system to help bring the DBs up to par.  I feel that job is done now and we can move on, get a little younger at the position and give some of our other talent a legit shot at more playing time.

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