New York Jets get it right with Antonio Cromartie

By Luis Tirado Jr. | Mar 12, 2015

The New York Jets continue to make all the headlines by making yet another solid acquisition this offseason. As per a report by ESPN New York’s Rich Cimini, the Jets have come to an agreement with free agent cornerback Antonio Cromartie. This move reunites him with not only the Jets but also another reunited acquisition in Darrelle Revis. The Jets easily addressed their woes at cornerback by bringing back the tandem that helped them be quite successful in the past.

Cromartie agreed to a four-year deal worth about $32 million dollars to return to the Jets. It’s no secret that together with Revis, they were quite the dynamic duo that brought legitimacy and intimidation to the position that was severely missing in their absence.

More from New York Jets

Now together again, the Jets got it right by bringing Cromartie back since now they are building the right momentum in returning the Jets to the spotlight. Considering what head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan bring to the table, the media circus of the past is gone as now a new era is upon the football world.

With the focus finally on football while making smarter player personnel decisions, the Jets are headed in a much better overall direction. Just days after the free agency frenzy started, the Jets were able to handle the majority of their weaknesses in one fell swoop.

Acquiring Brandon Marshall, Ryan Fitzpatrick, James Carpenter, Buster Skrine, Revis and now Cromartie, the Jets have addressed almost all their main issues before the draft even arrived. They’ve solidified their wide receiver situation, quarterback problems and bolstered their defensive secondary in glorious fashion.

Landing Cromartie is the icing on the cake as who knows what other moves the Jets have in store. For a franchise that just a year ago entered and left free agency with nothing but bad decisions and disappointing decisions, the Jets are well on their way to redemption for next season and beyond.

While it remains to be seen if they will be playoff contenders, the Jets will surely field a much better team at least for this upcoming season. Their defensive secondary was one of the worst last season as now with Cromartie and Revis back, they will make opponents think twice before passing in their vicinity.

Even though many worried about Cromartie’s hip injury in the past, he proved to be fully healed and ready to return to prime form. With the Arizona Cardinals last season, he contributed a career-high 48 tackles and three interceptions.

Dec 29, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) reacts at the line of scrimmage during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

He was a big part in the push the Cardinals made in the NFL Playoffs last season as there was no telling in how far they could have gone if not for their injuries at quarterback. Regardless, Cromartie bolstered their defensive secondary nicely.

The Jets truly missed Cromartie since even though the previous regime thought he was past his prime and in for a steep decline, he proved that he still had what it takes to be a top-notch defender. Perhaps had the Jets kept him around, they wouldn’t had one of the most abysmal defensive secondaries in the NFL.

Overall, this is a great move by the Jets as they continue to make all the right decisions to truly solidify their defensive secondary. With two of the top corners in the league with the Jets now, there is really no telling how far they can go. Considering their terrible 4-12 season last year, surely in 2015 they can only go up from all their latest free agency acquisitions.

Next: 2015 NFL Mock Draft: Amari Cooper is a Jet

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/New York Jets