Antonio Cromartie jazzed to face San Diego Chargers
Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets in action against the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Sept. 18, 2011) Credit: Jim McIsaac
Rex Ryan expects to have Antonio Cromartie available for Sunday's matchup with the Chargers, echoing what the Jets cornerback said after Monday night's 24-6 win.
Cromartie suffered a slight groin pull and took himself out of the game late in the second half, figuring he didn't want to chance anything with the outcome already decided.
"I think Cro is going to be fine," Ryan said Tuesday, adding Cromartie might be limited in practice.
With a grudge match against his former team at MetLife Stadium on tap this week, Cromartie said there was no way he was going to sit out.
"I've got no choice but to be all right," he said after the game. "It's San Diego. It's going to be fun."
Ryan also expects center Nick Mangold, who's played the last two games getting through a high ankle sprain, to play. Same goes for cornerback Donald Strickland, who sat out Monday with a concussion.
Game ball for Hunter
Wayne Hunter got off to a bad start at right tackle, beginning with the Cowboys' DeMarcus Ware. But he's slowly improved the last few weeks, and isn't making as many glaring mistakes.
Ryan said Hunter's performance in holding Cameron Wake, the Dolphins' best pass rusher who leads the team with three sacks, to two tackles earned him a game ball.
"He struggled early, against DeMarcus Ware," Ryan said, "but when you look at it, I think everybody struggles with that guy. I think he's really come on. The job he did against Cameron Wake . . . That's an outstanding pass rusher, and Wayne took him most of the night one-on-one."
Rookie Ellis has his moments
DT Kenrick Ellis, the Jets' rookie third-round pick who was active for the first time this season, posted three combined tackles, one of which came behind the line of scrimmage.
"He did a lot of good things, and then there's some things we've got to work on," Ryan said. "But the game's not too big for him. He was telling me, 'Hey, practice is tougher.' He has a chance to be really something, and the young man is really working hard. So, it's good to see him have some success."
