Antonio Cromartie's Road to Recovery
Antonio Cromartie may just be the second most athletic player in the draft to Vernon Davis. At 6'3"/208, he possesses blazing speed (4.39) and impressive strength numbers (18 reps @ 225). However, in July, Cromartie suffered an ACL tear and was forced to miss the entire 2005 Season. Had he gone back to school and participated in the 2006 season, he would have projected to be a top-five overall pick in the '07 Draft. Due to family financial circumstances, he chose to leave early. Greatly lacking field experience, he was projected by many to be a day one pick -best case scenario- at the end of the college season. Since, his stock has done nothing but soar as his speed and agility times are telling teams that he is fully healed and back in freakish, athletic form. After all, we are talking about a track star who holds an ACC Championship of his own that happens to also destroy running back's momentum single-handedly on the football field.
During the course of his career, Cromartie has played in only 25 games. Consequently, he is very raw on the field. His footwork and technique require much development. He takes too many risks, trusting his athleticism to the point of giving up the big play. He simply needs to become more consistent on the field. Nevertheless, he possesses the best skill set of any defensive back in the draft class. Checking out well in medical exams, he has team's looking for a defensive back totally intrigued. Teams that pass on him during the early stages of round one are fully aware that they may be missing out on -potentially- the most dominant cornerback to have ever played the position. He may lack Champ Bailey's high-4.2 speed, but he has more size (3" and 15lbs) and more big hitting ability. Even teams at the end of round one may be willing to pass on Cromartie, since they may require a Corner to play now and not later. It may end up being the Ravens, in round two, who take a risk on another slightly unpolished, freakishly athletic player that will have NFL GM's shaking their heads for years to come.
Few corners in the league possess 6'3"/208 size. Most receivers in the league do not possess his ball skills. During his short stint on the field at FSU, he made numerous circus interceptions. He simply seems to have a knack for coming away with interceptions, particularly in spots where no one else alive would seem to have a chance. He is a pure cover corner, with hips fliud enough to allow him to be on an island against anyone. Different from many cover corners, he is an animal against the run. In addition, he is a return man who can go the distance each and every time he touches the ball. During his abbreviated career, he was a game-changer who simply made more impact plays than anyone on the field.
I am looking forward to the drafting of Antonio Cromartie more than anyone in the entire field. He is bounds more intriguing than anyone: period. I don't see the Ravens reaching for him at 13 in round one, but I would not be surprised at all to see Cromartie in a Ravens #1 uniform come April 29th. Perhaps moreso likely, he will end up with a team at the end of round one like the Giants or Jaguars who do not need to cornerback tomorrow; but, teams who are a cornerback away from taking their defense from playoff-caliber to dominating. Antonio Cromartie may also end up being one more reason for us to hate the Patriots. More than anything, I can not wait to see Antonio Cromartie suit up and take the field. Having seen much game film of him on the NFL Network, I can say first hand that I have seen him make plays that no one else alive can. Over the shoulder picks down field with the receiver having position and a jump on the ball: no problem, just leap against your body's momentum in front of the receiver to make the catch blindly. Receiver taking a deep out in front of your cover 3 zone: no problem, just light him up to the point where he not only fails to make the catch but he also fails he remember his own name.
Antonio Cromartie is an amazing athlete and an amazing football player. It is a shame that his family is in such a position financially that he has had to leave school early for the draft. Nevertheless, the team who drafts him will be getting a steal of a deal. Should he last to the second round, he may end up being one of those players that will be talked about for years and years as one of the better values in draft history. I am totally accepting of the fact that his game may simply not project to the NFL and he could bust, but I am also not willing to deny that he is magical on the field.
During the course of his career, Cromartie has played in only 25 games. Consequently, he is very raw on the field. His footwork and technique require much development. He takes too many risks, trusting his athleticism to the point of giving up the big play. He simply needs to become more consistent on the field. Nevertheless, he possesses the best skill set of any defensive back in the draft class. Checking out well in medical exams, he has team's looking for a defensive back totally intrigued. Teams that pass on him during the early stages of round one are fully aware that they may be missing out on -potentially- the most dominant cornerback to have ever played the position. He may lack Champ Bailey's high-4.2 speed, but he has more size (3" and 15lbs) and more big hitting ability. Even teams at the end of round one may be willing to pass on Cromartie, since they may require a Corner to play now and not later. It may end up being the Ravens, in round two, who take a risk on another slightly unpolished, freakishly athletic player that will have NFL GM's shaking their heads for years to come.
Cromartie has a knack for the big play
Few corners in the league possess 6'3"/208 size. Most receivers in the league do not possess his ball skills. During his short stint on the field at FSU, he made numerous circus interceptions. He simply seems to have a knack for coming away with interceptions, particularly in spots where no one else alive would seem to have a chance. He is a pure cover corner, with hips fliud enough to allow him to be on an island against anyone. Different from many cover corners, he is an animal against the run. In addition, he is a return man who can go the distance each and every time he touches the ball. During his abbreviated career, he was a game-changer who simply made more impact plays than anyone on the field.
I am looking forward to the drafting of Antonio Cromartie more than anyone in the entire field. He is bounds more intriguing than anyone: period. I don't see the Ravens reaching for him at 13 in round one, but I would not be surprised at all to see Cromartie in a Ravens #1 uniform come April 29th. Perhaps moreso likely, he will end up with a team at the end of round one like the Giants or Jaguars who do not need to cornerback tomorrow; but, teams who are a cornerback away from taking their defense from playoff-caliber to dominating. Antonio Cromartie may also end up being one more reason for us to hate the Patriots. More than anything, I can not wait to see Antonio Cromartie suit up and take the field. Having seen much game film of him on the NFL Network, I can say first hand that I have seen him make plays that no one else alive can. Over the shoulder picks down field with the receiver having position and a jump on the ball: no problem, just leap against your body's momentum in front of the receiver to make the catch blindly. Receiver taking a deep out in front of your cover 3 zone: no problem, just light him up to the point where he not only fails to make the catch but he also fails he remember his own name.
Antonio Cromartie is an amazing athlete and an amazing football player. It is a shame that his family is in such a position financially that he has had to leave school early for the draft. Nevertheless, the team who drafts him will be getting a steal of a deal. Should he last to the second round, he may end up being one of those players that will be talked about for years and years as one of the better values in draft history. I am totally accepting of the fact that his game may simply not project to the NFL and he could bust, but I am also not willing to deny that he is magical on the field.