NY Jets' Antonio Cromartie, Rex Ryan try to find answers and balance in defensive backfield
Anotonio Cromartie (l.) is searching for a grip on his 'Jekyll and Hyde' performance in the backfield.
The maddening inconsistency of Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie confounds Rex Ryan and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine to the point of closed-door conversations to determine whether he will be dynamic or unreliable each Sunday.
"I'm not sure, it could be a horoscope thing," Pettine said. "I'm at a loss. I think we're all searching for that answer."
Cromartie, the Jets' second choice to start opposite All-Pro Darrelle Revis in the defensive backfield after a failed bid to sign Nnamdi Asomugha during the offseason, is an enigma, equally capable of stepping in front of passes and surrendering touchdowns. His three interceptions match Revis' total, but he also leads the unit with five penalties.
Through six games, his performances have swung between AFC Defensive Player of the Week status against the Jaguars to a horrific, flag-filled display against the Raiders . Tomorrow, he will face his former team, the San Diego Chargers , for the first time since he was dealt to the Jets for a second-round pick in 2010.
"This might be one where you tell him, 'Slow your roll,'" Ryan said. So fast that he can outrace counterparts running backward, Cromartie's learning curve has been slow at times. His unwillingness to engage wideouts with his hands at the line of scrimmage irks coaches, and Pettine made clear his reliability is low considering mental lapses such as the one he had against Miami on Monday that allowed Brandon Marshall to break free for a 46-yard reception. Cromartie said he slipped on the play.
"It's frustrating," Pettine said. "We've learned that you almost have to have some calls in mind where if things aren't going well on his side of the field, we have to protect him a little more."
Ryan maintained that Cromartie's preparation was unquestioned.
"I know one thing, it's not for lack of effort or anything else," Ryan said. "I think he gets kind of hyped up a little bit at that spot and he needs to relax."
Cromartie acknowledged unevenness in his play thus far. "If you go from Week 1 to Week 2, you see a totally different person," Cromartie said. "The biggest thing is just to come in and pay attention to detail."
Early in games, Pettine radios to secondary coach Dennis Thurman on the sidelines to inquire about which Cromartie has suited up.
"Good Cro or the other one?" Pettine asks.
The answer should be evident quickly tomorrow when Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and his vertical arsenal of receivers test him.
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