Cromartie One of the NFL's Most Fascinating Players

[Bleedin Green]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000217260/article/denard-robinson-among-nfls-most-fascinating-players-in-2013?campaign=Facebook_writers_schein

 

 

On Tuesday, we named the New Orleans Saints the NFL's most fascinating team in 2013. Now, it's time to address individuals of intrigue, Schein Nine style. Here are the nine most fascinating players in the league this season:

1) Reggie Bush, RB, Detroit Lions: I've always believed that if you could forget about his majestic, legendary college career, if you could forget about where he was drafted and which Kardashian he dated, if you could just judge Bush's NFL tenure in isolation, you would deem him a very solid running back. Bush isn't a star, but he's a legit contributor and bona fide game breaker.

Bush enjoyed two very good seasons with the Miami Dolphins, staying healthy while averaging 1,036 rushing yards and 39 receptions per year. He also emerged as a leader.

This offseason, he found greener pastures in Detroit. It's the spot we targeted for him heading into the free agency period. Detroit doesn't have a reliable runner and receiver out of the backfield, a role that was briefly filled by Jahvid Best before concussions derailed his career.

I think Bush takes another step forward, rushing for 1,110 yards and catching 45 passes from Matthew Stafford. I've always liked Reggie. I think he's been misunderstood, wrongly viewed as a bust, or a bad guy after the NCAA violations. I think he sizzles in Detroit.

2) Denard Robinson, OW, Jacksonville Jaguars: Yes, his position is OW, as in "offensive weapon." And that's not me getting cute -- it's how the Jaguars list the rookie on their official roster. The moniker truly says it all.

The former Michigan quarterback is going to be a jack of all trades with the Jags. And why not? He is a bright guy who displayed a wonderful knack for the moment in college, taking games over with his play-making abilities. In his four-year career for the Wolverines, "Shoelace" racked up 4,495 rushing yards, an NCAA record for quarterbacks. He also caught a few passes after injuring his throwing arm as a senior, and you know he'll snag many more in the pros, thriving in a receiver role.

And with Blaine Gabbert/Chad Henne at quarterback, you know Robinson will get some snaps at QB, to throw it or run the option. I loved him in college. I'm foaming at the mouth to see what new Jaguars coach Gus Bradley has in store for this guy.

3) Antonio Cromartie, CB, New York Jets: You think of him as the cat who struggled to name all his kids on "Hard Knocks." But if you've been watching Cromartie over the past few years, you've seen a guy develop into a truly great corner who merited serious consideration for first-team All-Pro honors last season. And Cromartie also has become a leader for the Jets. He was the glue when Darrelle Revis was hurt last year. This offseason, it was Cromartie who organized detailed workouts on the West Coast for his teammates. That's a far cry from the immaturity he displayed earlier in his career.

The Jets lack overall talent, but cornerback should be a position of strength even after they traded Revis away, assuming Cromartie can duplicate his efforts.

4) Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, San Francisco 49ers: Remember when the Jets chased Asomugha, failed to land him and re-upped Cromartie as a consolation prize? They wound up getting the better player. Nnamdi and the "Dream Team" proved to be a nightmare for the Philadelphia Eagles.

This offseason, however, Asomugha signed with arguably the most talented team in the NFL, to play on arguably the most talented defense in the NFL. Plus, Niners coach Jim Harbaugh has a way of bringing out the best in players.

Asomugha escaped Philly after being the poster child for disaster, returned to the Bay Area and just got married. I am fascinated to see which Nnamdi we get this year.

5) Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins: Oh, by the way, Ryan Tannehill played quarterback as a rookie last year. Tannehill's solid campaign was completely overshadowed by the epic debuts from Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson. Frankly, Tannehill played like a normal rookie, experiencing a freshman NFL season with the usual ups and downs, not the superhuman domination we saw in Indy, Washington, D.C. and Seattle.

The Dolphins went all-in this offseason. After spending big, they expect to win big, too.

I like Miami coach Joe Philbin. I like his leadership and guidance. I think Tannehill can get better, though I don't know if he'll ever be as good as the other guys in his class. But Miami only needs him to improve on last year to be taken seriously as a threat.

6) Kenny Britt, WR, Tennessee Titans: He has a history of issues off the field. He has a history of injuries. Kenny Britt also makes incredible grabs and can dominate with yards after the catch.

Last week, I called the Titans "my surprise drama team of the year." Britt's a walking reality show -- one that I love to watch.

7) Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Atlanta Falcons: It is very easy to look into the crystal ball and see Atlanta playing at MetLife Stadium in Super Bowl XLVIII. But the Falcons need their defense to be better in 2013.

Weatherspoon, a former first-round pick, enters his fourth season. He has been good, but I think he can be great. He must stay healthy and be the do-it-all linebacker Atlanta needs to reach its lofty goals.

8) Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants: Victor Cruz just got paid, but the deal made him just the 18th-highest-paid receiver in the NFL. The Giants won the negotiations. Cruz won because, as a Jersey native, he only wanted to be in New York, and this was his first megabucks deal.

Now, Nicks.

I've argued all offseason that he deserves more cash than Cruz. He will get it, either with the Giants or someone else. How will Nicks respond to Cruz's deal? Will he pout? Will the Giants make him wait, see if the true No. 1 receiver can stay healthy and then apply the franchise tag to him? This is going to be fascinating.

9) Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots: Who knows what to expect from Rob Gronkowski and his balky back? Beyond Gronk, Brady's four other top targets from last year won't be there. (Though Tim Tebow will!)

But you know Brady -- controversy and doubt drive him. He's a living legend and still in his prime. I can't wait to see how this season plays out for No. 12.

 

I think this a very good evaluation of Cro, as I've been one of his biggest supporters over the past few years.  Up until this past season, I didn't think he got enough credit for his level of play since coming to the Jets, especially in his 2011 season.  Beyond that, as Schein said, he's definitely come a long way since the Jets traded for him as far as maturity and leadership goes.  The Jets couldn't have gotten luckier in losing out on Asomugha and instead getting Cro for a significantly lower price (including Cro even being willing to come back after being snubbed by the Jets to begin with).

 

Regardless of what you may have thought of the move, the truth is that Cro is the #1 reason Idzik was even able to consider trading Revis.

[JoeC36]

I too am very happy with the production that we have gotten out of Cromartie. And while he is no Revis, I don't think I will  miss 24 at all with 31 playing like a boss. 

[flgreen]

Cro stepped up big last year.  He is also showing all the signs of being a genuine team leader.  Can he put up another year like he did last year? 

 

If he does what do they do with his contract next year?

[Bleedin Green]

Cro stepped up big last year.  He is also showing all the signs of being a genuine team leader.  Can he put up another year like he did last year? 

 

If he does what do they do with his contract next year?

 

The truth is if they really want to, given how much cap space they're already looking at for next year, they could easily keep him on even at the inflated rate he'd cost them.  That said, my guess is at that point they'd still more likely try to extend him (although not for a long period of time, probably an extra two years or so).  The exception to that would be if Millner proves to be everything they hoped he would be in his rookie year and they also feel there is someone else on the team who can handle the #2 role, then they could try to see what they could get in a trade.

[pointman]

Cromartie is a beast. Anywhere besides on a team with Revis, he would be considered elite with the season he had last year.

[Sperm Edwards]

If Reggie Bush is not and never was a star RB, why is he the most fascinating player in the NFL?

 

And as a fan I couldn't be happier with the production - and then the leadership - that Cromartie's given us.  And when you can get someone like him for $8M as a UFA (when the projected cap escalation was higher) - and he was considered the 3rd-best FA CB that year - that's why you don't give Revis literally twice that & pass up on a top-half 1st rounder now, & a 3rd rounder next year, for the privilege.  Even worse when we're cutting & not re-signing half the team & with him coming off a major knee injury.

 

Hope Cromartie keeps it up & we retain him.  But it's a pretty big nut to swallow next year if a reasonable extension (for a then 30 year-old CB) can't be worked out.

[jorge o8]

he will be 30 cant ask for a huge contract but i would love to have him for 2 more years

[flgreen]

Cro counts 15 million against the cap next season (Revis money)  They save 9.5 million if they release him.  If he has a season like he had last year, his value will be very high.  The good news for the Jets is they should have a good chunk of change to spend next season.  They can pay Cro if they want to.

 

Question is, do they want to?  They drafted Miliner at #9 this year.  A lot of people don't like Wilson, but he has improved every year, and right now seems to be a good slot cover guy, who can play the outside well when called on, as he was last year and did well.

 

Interestingly, Berry played very well in the OTA's and mini camp, and was getting reps with the #1's at the end of mini camp.   

 

Cro is going to want to get paid next year.  if Rex is still here I think they should pay him.  They should have an outstanding front 7, and CB's.  Rex can make a D special with that combo.   

[Smashmouth]

Cro counts 15 million against the cap next season (Revis money)  They save 9.5 million if they release him.  If he has a season like he had last year, his value will be very high.  The good news for the Jets is they should have a good chunk of change to spend next season.  They can pay Cro if they want to.

 

Question is, do they want to?  They drafted Miliner at #9 this year.  A lot of people don't like Wilson, but he has improved every year, and right now seems to be a good slot cover guy, who can play the outside well when called on, as he was last year and did well.

 

Interestingly, Berry played very well in the OTA's and mini camp, and was getting reps with the #1's at the end of mini camp.   

 

Cro is going to want to get paid next year.  if Rex is still here I think they should pay him.  They should have an outstanding front 7, and CB's.  Rex can make a D special with that combo.   

there is no way the Jets pay Cro 15 million. He will be renegotiated or released if he balks. If he was mid 20's it would be a different story

[jetsjetsjetss]

Cro counts 15 million against the cap next season (Revis money)  They save 9.5 million if they release him.  If he has a season like he had last year, his value will be very high.  The good news for the Jets is they should have a good chunk of change to spend next season.  They can pay Cro if they want to.

 

Question is, do they want to?  They drafted Miliner at #9 this year.  A lot of people don't like Wilson, but he has improved every year, and right now seems to be a good slot cover guy, who can play the outside well when called on, as he was last year and did well.

 

Interestingly, Berry played very well in the OTA's and mini camp, and was getting reps with the #1's at the end of mini camp.   

 

Cro is going to want to get paid next year.  if Rex is still here I think they should pay him.  They should have an outstanding front 7, and CB's.  Rex can make a D special with that combo.   

 

Cro probably isnt as crazy as revis and knows hes not getting 15 mil. Heck if you look at aqib talib he took 5 million I see cro getting 9-10

[flgreen]

Cro probably isnt as crazy as revis and knows hes not getting 15 mil. Heck if you look at aqib talib he took 5 million I see cro getting 9-10

I agree.

 

If he has as good a season as he had last year, I suspect they will redo his contract, give him a lot of money next year, because they will have a lot of cap room, then have him play cheap for the remainder of the contract.  Kind of like what they were supposed to do with Revis, except Revis didn't want to honor it.

 

Don't forget, even if they release him they still owe him 6.5 million from the reworked contract he did this year

 

 Cro has worked hard to put himself in this position, this will be his last big contract.  He'll want to cash in.  Can't blame him for that

[kay_gee]

I'm really impressed with the way Cro's grown up. Sometimes it just takes some people a little longer. And not for nothing, but he's smarter about people than most people give him credit for.

 

Remember when Cro called Brady an a$$hole?

 

The whole world got a nice view of it here: