March 7th, 2010 
www.ganggreennation.com
Clarification on Cromartie Contract Change
Hutch offers some clarity on the changes made to Antonio Cromartie‘s contract.
With seven children by six different women in five states and at least five paternity suits in the past two years, new Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie needs cash.
The Jets have stepped up, giving Cromartie $500,000 in up-front money on the final year of a contract that’ll pay him $1.7 million in 2010, according to the NFL Network.
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Cromartie needs the ready cash because NFL players don’t begin collecting their salaries until the first week of the season and it would take a while for Cromatie to come up with that kind of money.
Nice move by the Jets. It’s the kind of thing that will build trust between team and player. Knowing the Jets have his back is the kind of thing that will motivate Antonio to put his best foot forward and return to his 2007 form.
Eric Smith as Starter?
The Jets need to replace Kerry Rhodes at free safety. One obvious candidate is Eric Smith. Smith started a few games during Rhodes’ midseason benching and led the team in tackles in one of them. It seemed like Eric might be finished as a Jet when Jim Leonhard and Abram Elam got signed a year ago. Then the Mark Sanchez trade sent Elam to Cleveland, and Smith became the primary backup at safety. Rex was at first underwhelmed by the Michigan State product during offseason workouts. Later Smith played so well his head coach stunningly compared him to Ed Reed.I’d say the team will probably keep the restricted free agent, but I’d be surprised to see him as a starter. He found his niche working in crowded space underneath, blitzing, and playing the run. He struggled when he had to play more athletic backs and tight ends in the open. He’s not very quick or atheltic. He doesn’t have the range to really play effectively in Cover 1 looks. If the Jets made him the starter, it would be a giant leap of faith Antonio Cromartie is going to bounce back to his 2007 form, and the corners will need limited safety help. While that’s a possibility, I wouldn’t bet the ranch on it.The other option would be to have Smith play Jim Leonhard’s role, more in the box, as a blitzter, etc. Leonhard could play Rhodes’ centerfield role. The problem is the team would be downgrading in two positions. I see Smith as a useful cog in the right role in subpackages. I don’t think I’d be comfortable with him starting, though.
- Cromartie Contract News
Jason LaCanfora has some news about Antonio Cromartie’s contract.
Jets reworking part of Antonio Cromartie’s 2010 deal, turning about $500K into bonus. No new money involved. More details on NFL.com.
I’ll be interested to hear more about this. Obviously this couldn’t be cap related in an uncapped year.
- Kerry Rhodes Traded to Arizona
As per Adam Schefter, the Jets have traded Kerry Rhodes to the Cardinals.
Filed to ESPN: Arizona trades a fourth-round pick this year and a seventh next year for Jets S Kerry Rhodes.Arizona figured to make a move at safety once it lost Antrel Rolle. And now they have Kerry Rhodes — good move.
I hate this trade. I think it’s Jonathan Vilma all over again. The Jets now have a gaping hole at the starting safety position. What are the odds either pick turns into a player as good as Kerry? What are the odds they both even make the team? The Jets have been so good at taking advantage of teams overvaluing picks, it’s disappointing to see the team fall victim to the practice. After the way he came on at the end of the year, why not ride things out with Kerry? I get that he underachieved in 2009, but I think he’s too talented to give away like this.
I guess Rex really didn’t think he could work with Rhodes, but they got nothing close to equal value for a guy who is a Pro Bowl caliber player when he’s playing his best. Maybe the team has something lined up to fill the safety spot. I sure hope so.
- Arizona figured to make a move at safety once it lost Antrel Rolle. And now they have Kerry Rhodes…
Arizona figured to make a move at safety once it lost Antrel Rolle. And now they have Kerry Rhodes — good move.
*Not sure what for yet, Crack was right on Mike T*
- Help Mark Sanchez’s Friend Raise Money for Charity
Mark Sanchez is asking for help for his friend’s charity effort on his Twitter account.
My buddy Ryan is running the LA Marathon for the John Wayne Cancer Institute.
If you want to help Ryan out, go here. The average pledge looks like a few bucks.
It looks like a great cause. We’re all touched by cancer in one way or another.
The John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John’s Health Center is a cancer research institute dedicated to the understanding and curing of cancer in order to eliminate patient suffering worldwide.
Let me know if you pledge any money. Let’s see how much money GGN’ers can raise for Mark and Ryan.
- Rex Discusses Cromartie
Rex released a statement about the trade.
“He’s got great man cover skills that are unusual. It’s rare to see a corner with his ball skills. He’s a difference maker. There’s an old saying when you evaluate corners – ‘Can they find it? Can they catch it?’ – and he can do all that.
“He’s got long arms where he can press you at the line of scrimmage. He’ll fit perfectly into our system. Now, we don’t necessarily have to always put Revis on the toughest guy. We can switch it up. This pair gives us even more options on defense. We should be able to disguise what we’re doing a little better than we’ve done in the past.
“He’s going to be a huge, huge addition for us because what he’s going to bring to the table from a physical standpoint is going to be tremendous. He’s got some unbelievable gifts and we’re just fortunate to have him on our team. When you combine him with the players that we already have, we’re going to be really tough on defense.”
The one thing that stuck out was his comment about putting Cromartie on the other team’s best receiver sometimes. Can’t say I’m crazy about that idea. I loved the fact Revis stuck with the other team’s top guy almost exclusively last year. It’s what made his so valuable. Cromartie isn’t as good of a cover guy. Why change from what worked? Stick the best corner on the best receiver all the time.
- Is There Any Reason for TJ to Return?
I have a question that has been on my mind. Is there any real chance of Thomas Jones coming back to the Jets? I’ve heard a few reports saying the Jets are interested in bringing him back, but the whole idea seems kind of far fetched to me.
What kind of contract are they going to give him? It doesn’t seem like they really want to pay. They didn’t redo his deal last year when he asked them, and they cut him rather than pay the roster bonus. If the Jets were serious about keeping him, wouldn’t they have restructured to avoid that roster bonus? Now they’re going to give him a new contract with a signing bonus?
The other question is what’s in it for Thomas. Would he want to come back to the Jets? It’s pretty clear he’d be the third back here. Even at his age, a back coming off consecutive 1,400 yard seasons can expect to get offers of more playing time elsewhere with some good teams.
I can’t really blame the Jets either. Jones was a great guy on and off the field, but running back is an easy position to fill on the cheap. This team can find a younger and potentially more effective runner for less of a price. Don’t get me wrong. I’d be thrilled to see him back, but I don’t see it happening.
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