NFL

Cromartie mocks Chargers, embraces life with Jets

This week is all about the Patriots and revenge and getting back to the AFC Championship game. But if Antonio Cromartie were sending a message to his old team, the San Diego Chargers, it would read something like: “How you like me now?”

Cromartie still remembers the kick in the pants he was given out of San Diego after being traded to the Jets last March for a third-round draft pick. There were whispers in San Diego about his work ethic, his willingness to be physical on the field and a rehash of some off-the-field issues. Asked yesterday about his departure from San Diego, Cromartie sounded like a man getting the last laugh.

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“I’m in the playoffs and they’re not,” Cromartie said of the Chargers, who had a disappointing 9-7 season and missed the playoffs. “I’m enjoying every moment in this locker room and every day I’m around my teammates.

“I was unhappy there,” he continued. “I’m very happy here, being around a coaching staff that will fight for you, being around a coaching staff that will go to bat for me. That’s something that’s very enjoyable. It’s been fun and I’m enjoying every moment of it.”

Cromartie was viewed as a player of questionable character. Reports he fathered nine children by eight different women fed into the stereotype of an undisciplined athlete.

But the Jets likely wouldn’t be preparing to face the Patriots on Sunday in Foxborough if not for Cromartie. From consistently filling the burden of playing opposite Darrelle Revis to his clutch 47-yard kickoff return to help set up the winning field goal against the Colts last Saturday, Cromartie has been an impact player since the moment he arrived.

Like everyone else in the Jets’ locker room yesterday, Cromartie was busy trying to figure out a way to turn the 45-3 loss at New England on Dec. 6 into a victory on Sunday, knowing that he’s going against the NFL’s best quarterback this season, Tom Brady.

“He can make every single throw,” Cromartie said. “He can pick up any defense. When a guy has thrown only four interceptions in the NFL, that speaks a lot.”

Brady burned the Jets in the middle of the field in their last meeting by exploiting safeties, nickel backs and any linebackers who masqueraded in coverage. If he does throw outside the hash marks, Brady will likely target Cromartie, because few quarterbacks dare venture toward Revis Island.

It’s something Cromartie has grown to accept and embrace, understanding he’s viewed as a weak link of sorts.

“It’s about being more focused and doing the things that I need to do in the film room,” he said. “I know teams are going to shy away from [Revis] and throw at me. It just makes your game pick up higher.”

Cromartie once had 10 interceptions during a season. He has three this year, tying him for the team lead with Dwight Lowery. His challenge this week is to keep Wes Welker and Deion Branch from running free. He’ll also be ready if called upon to return another kickoff, should Brad Smith not be 100 percent.

“Being back there, the whole group, we just wanted to try to make a play and give our offense as short a field as possible,” he said of his late-game return against the Colts. “Guys threw great blocks and opened up a lane and I happened to hit it, and we got a big play out of it.”

It was the kind of big play the Jets envisioned Cromartie making when they traded for him last spring. The Chargers’ loss has been their gain.

george.willis@nypost.com