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So what is going on with the Jets cornerback position? Some Jets fans are getting nervous. Let’s take a closer look.
First of all, let’s not put Dominique Rogers-Cromartie in Canton.
Dominique Rogers-Cromartie is now on his fourth team in seven years. He been with Arizona, Philadelphia, Denver and now the Giants.
Why is that?
With top-shelf corners so hard to find, why have teams consistently moved on from this guy?
No question he’s a decent player, but clearly there are red flags here.
He seems like a younger version of his cousin, Antonio Cromartie – terrific ball skills, but not great in bump and run.
Bill Polian isn’t crazy about his back pedal and turn on deep balls.
So honestly, while he could have helped the Jets, I don’t think their sky is falling by not getting him.
Clearly they think, at the very least, they will be able to bring back Antonio Cromartie, at a greatly reduced salary.
There doesn’t seem to be a lot of interest in Antonio Cromartie.
He’s coming off a rough season which hurts the market for him a great deal.
Something else that hurts his marketability is that he’s viewed as a finesse player who has an aversion to contact.
Also, he’s considered a sensitive player who is hard to coach. He doesn’t take criticism well. In fact, a couple of years ago, former Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine pointed out a mistake he made in a game, in a defensive meeting, and the cornerback flipped out on him, cursing him out.
So the Jets should be able to get him back on the cheap.
And at his new salary, if will be easier to justify benching him next year, if he refuses to do a better job of jamming guys at the line. He’s got to buy into playing bump-and-run all the time when it’s called. There is no wiggle room here. Either do it, or you are benched.
You can deal with his mediocrity in run support with his linear build, but there is no excuse, with his long arms, and great athletic ability, for him to not mix it up on the line a little more.
And the Jets have other cornerback options.
Aaron Berry is also close to being 100 percent from the knee injury he suffered last summer.
When healthy, they view him as starting material.
Also in the mix are Darrin Walls, Ellis Lankster, Johnny Patrick and Kyle Wilson.
At with the 18th pick of the first round, Michigan State CB Darqueze Dennard and Oklahoma State’s Justin Gilbert, might constitute good value. They are the two top corners in the draft, and likely one of them will be available when the Jets are on the clock.
Also, it’s going to be a pretty good second round for corners, led by TCU’s Jason Verrett, Virginia Tech’s Kyle Fuller, Ohio State’s Bradley Roby and Florida’s Marcus Roberson.
So there is no reason for the Jets Nation to panic.
Losing out on Rogers-Cromartie isn’t the end of the world.
March 17, 2014
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