Antonio Cromartie: No hard feelings for Chargers
Undated file photo of Antonio Cromartie when he was still playing for the Chargers. Credit: AP
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Antonio Cromartie watched Jets practice from the sideline Wednesday. He did some stretching, and even some light jogging. But the groin injury he suffered in the fourth quarter of Monday night's game against the Dolphins was enough to keep him from participating in position drills for one more day.
You can bet Cromartie isn't planning on being on the sideline for Sunday's game against his former team, the San Diego Chargers. Though the Jets cornerback tried to downplay any animosity he may have toward the Chargers, he did admit that he has had this game circled on his calendar for awhile.
"Yeah, I'm definitely looking forward to it," he said. "It's a game against a former team and a game against a team that gave me an opportunity."
It's also a game against a team that had some less-than-kind things to say about him after they traded him to the Jets for a third-round draft pick after the 2009 season. Cromartie, a first-round pick out of Florida State in 2006, went to the Pro Bowl in 2007. The team, however, began to sour on his inconsistent play and off-the-field behavior.
In an article in the Union-Tribune of San Diego after the trade, safety Eric Weddle called it "refreshing" to be without Cromartie. And cornerback Quentin Jammer, whom Cromartie still counts as a good friend, admitted at the time of the trade that there was less tension without Cromartie around. "We all know there were guys in the locker room who didn't like him," Jammer said. "[Cromartie] didn't like them. We don't have to deal with that now."
Cromartie refused to say anything negative about his former team Wednesday, calling the whole situation "over with." Though he has also been inconsistent with the Jets, Cromartie has had less trouble fitting in. During the playoffs last year, he called his season with the Jets the most fun he's had in football.
"What's been said is what's been said in the past," Cromartie said. "There's no hard feelings now. I'm here and I'm a Jet now."
Still, Rex Ryan is pretty sure that Cromartie and fellow former Charger LaDainian Tomlinson will be pretty pumped up to face San Diego.
Said Ryan: "Anytime you play against your former team, especially when you had the success that he had . . . I'm sure it's going to be special. I think we could probably start the game with him on offense or defense. He's going to be ready."
