Antonio Cromartie (Jeff Zelevansky)
FIGHT CLUB: New Jets receiver Chaz Schilenz (inset) was more than a little annoyed that DB Antonio Cromartie claimed he is the team’s second-best WR. (Jeff Zelevansky (2))
CORTLAND — Camp Chemistry lasted until Aug. 1.
The Jets’ first rift of the season showed yesterday when wide receiver Chaz Schilens took offense to cornerback Antonio Cromartie’s comment that he is the second-best wide receiver on the team.
“I think it’s a slight,” said Schilens, who signed with the Jets in March. “I’m not gonna lie. I just wouldn’t say it. It’s not something I would say, but I’m not him I guess.”
The back and forth between Cromartie and Schilens is reminiscent of 2011 when in-fighting in the Jets locker room helped torpedo the season. This offseason, Jets coach Rex Ryan stressed togetherness and for teammates to avoid sniping at one another through the media.
Ryan was clearly annoyed yesterday about the Cromartie-Schilens situation.
“I’m going to say this right now, listen to me when I tell you this: I’m aware of what was said, OK? I’m on top of it,” Ryan said. “I’m telling you that right now. I’m on top of it and it will not be a problem.”
Ryan declined to elaborate.
“That’s all I’m going to say about the whole thing,” Ryan said. “You guys know what was said, back and forth. We’re not playing it out through the media. We will handle this. I will handle this.”
Ryan did handle it. According to sources, during a team meating yesterday he told the players to be careful what they say to the media.
Cromartie walked past reporters without speaking, telling a media relations representative he would talk today. He started this controversy Tuesday on “First Take,” when he was asked about the Jets’ plans to use him in a limited role as a receiver. He was asked where he would rank himself among Jets receivers.
“I think I’d put myself as second,” Cromartie said, putting himself behind Santonio Holmes. “I haven’t really played it in the past four or five years, but I can put myself as the second just with raw ability and talent going out there, I think, me separating and being a more physical guy out there on the outside.”
Schilens, who played four years for the Raiders, said playing receiver is about more than just being fast.
“We’ll address it on the football field,” he said. “I’ll let him think whatever he wants. I think he thinks receiver is a little different than it actually is. He’s unbelievably talented and he plays cornerback.”
The problem for the Jets is Cromartie’s assessment might not be too far off. The Jets’ receiving corps is extremely young and inexperienced. Holmes has 338 catches and 34 touchdowns in 88 career games. The other 11 receivers on the roster have a combined 112 catches and nine touchdowns in 88 career games.
Cromartie, though he practiced at receiver at Florida State, hasn’t caught a pass in a game since his senior year of high school, when he caught 30 balls.
The Jets drafted receiver Stephen Hill in the second round with the hope that he will help allow the team to stretch the field. Hill, being a rookie, was careful not to say much about Cromartie yesterday. He said “We’ll see” when asked about Cromartie’s remarks.
Hill said he is confident in his ability.
“Right now I always feel like I’m the best receiver on the team,” he said. “Of course, Santonio is the veteran, but as a wide receiver you always want to be the best and that’s how I feel.”
Patrick Turner, another of the Jets’ receivers, said of Cromartie: “If that’s how he feels, that’s how he feels. It doesn’t take anything away from me in my mind.”
The Jets have talked about using a “Throw to Cro” package this year to take advantage of Cromartie’s ability. They used him at receiver last year a few times, and he’s gotten one rep with the offense in training camp.
The Jets offense has looked shaky in camp, but Ryan feels confident they enough playmakers.
“I think when it all comes down, it’s going to be a real tough offense to defend,” Ryan said. “But I also think this is going to be the New York Jet team. It’s going to be ground and pound. It’s going to be protect the quarterback and be able to throw it. If they want to bring them all down, be able to throw it over their head. I think we have the playmakers to get that done.”
brian.costello@nypost.com