It already has been a good week for Antonio Cromartie.
Despite being limited in practice, he said he will be “as fresh as possible” for Sunday’s game. He’s also happy about the news Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston will not be charged after an investigation into accusations of sexual battery.
“I was happy for him,” said Cromartie, who played at Florida State. “For the program and where it’s going, it just speaks volumes. He’s a redshirt freshman that’s up for the Heisman [Trophy]. I’m just glad it worked in the best favor for him and didn’t turn things around. He is the leader of our team and our offense. I’m happy for him and happy for our program.”
Cromartie is just as upbeat about the Jets despite a three-game losing streak that has them at 5-7 heading into Sunday’s game against the Raiders (4-8) at MetLife Stadium. Maybe it was the 12-foot tall air-pumped Santa Claus in the middle of the locker room that raised spirits or maybe it is the opening to the final month of the regular season.
The Jets can’t dwell on the past, Cromartie said. The focus should be on the future.
“The attitude has been great and guys are excited,” the cornerback said. “We have another week to play football again. We’re playing against the Oakland Raiders and that’s why guys are focused in. There’s no reason for guys to hang their heads low or walk around with bad body language or anything like that. It’s a work day. As long as the season’s going, there’s a job to do every single week. That’s how guys are approaching it. We’re coming out and having fun.”
Cromartie isn’t the kind to dwell on things. If he isn’t singing along to the music he’s playing while sitting at his locker, he’s ribbing teammates about the dominance of his beloved Seminoles. Sure, he might blow off reporters like he did earlier in the week. But he also will give a thoughtful perspective on the improvements needed on defense like he did on Friday.
“We as a defense, we have to make sure we get off the field on third down,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing. Last week, we did a terrible job of getting off the field on third down, and we want to make sure that we do a better job this week and do the simple things to eliminate the big plays we’re giving up on third down.”
The deep ball has hurt the Jets all season and could be a problem if Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin is given time to throw. McGloin, the undrafted rookie from Penn State, is making his fourth start ahead of Terrelle Pryor, who was the starter in eight of the Raiders’ first nine games before injuring his knee. McGloin is much more of a pocket-type passer, while Pryor is more elusive as well as a capable thrower. The Raiders aren’t sure if either is their quarterback of the future. But for Sunday, they’re going with McGloin. Listen to Cromartie and it sounds as if he’d rather face McGloin than Pryor.
“It’s two different styles of quarterback,” Cromartie said. “You have the explosive quarterback who can make plays with his legs and also make explosive plays with his arm. But [McGloin] is more of a pocket passer who makes decisions very quickly. He doesn’t hang on to the ball in the pocket too long. He’s trying to find the open guy or the guy that has a one-on-one battle and throw it up to his young receivers who are making a lot of plays for him.”
McGloin actually reminds Cromartie of a former teammate.
“To me he reminds you of the No. 14 we had here,” Cromartie said referring to Greg McElory, the former Jets backup quarterback now on the practice squad in Cincinnati. “He’s a smart kid. The thing he does is he gets rid of the ball quick. He’s making his decisions quick.”
So far it has been a good week for Cromartie. Check back with him on Sunday.