Chargers' Cromartie pleased thus far
By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO ---- Hey, Antonio Cromartie, why the long face? "He got beat in practice, and it's hard for him to get beat,'' teammate Marlon McCree said. "He is so fast, so big, so strong that when he gets beat he takes it personally. That is a good thing, but as a corner you have to have a short memory.''
Those with keen memories recall the flak the Chargers received when they drafted Cromartie 19th overall in April. The Florida State cornerback started one game in college and was as raw as he is athletic.
So six games into his rookie season, what's the review?
"I think he is going to be great this year,'' McCree said, "and years to come.''
Although stiff-armed by Drayton Florence in his bid for a starting job, Cromartie hasn't disappointed. He plays in the nickel and dime packages, holding down a corner spot opposite Quentin Jammer. Cromartie has yet to give up a deep ball.
Cromartie crowed earlier about earning first-string status in his maiden season. While that's a possibility in the future, the present shows a challenge on Sunday with the Rams' high-flying receivers landing at Qualcomm Stadium.
That means plenty of three-receiver groupings, which will have Cromartie on the field plenty.
One doesn't need to be a NFL Rhodes Scholar to predict quarterback Marc Bulger and veteran wide outs Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce will try to kick sand in Cromartie's face.
If so, it will be among the few times a team has targeted him.
"I haven't really been tested that much as a rookie,'' Cromartie said. "So when my time comes, I want to be ready.''
In the preparation category, Cromartie might be the rookie of the year. That assessment comes from McCree, the starting free safety who crams for each game like an "A" pupil aiming for the dean's list.
"Cromartie is a great student of the game,'' McCree said. "He gets here early before everybody, watches film and takes great notes. We got a lot of respect for him.''
Strong safety Terrence Kiel doesn't dispute McCree.
"He is a real smart guy,'' Kiel said. "He is ahead of a lot of vets in his film study. Whatever they did with him at (Florida State) they did a good job.''
Cromartie's numbers show but five tackles and one "pass defensed". Those are hardly top-20 pick statistics, but Cromartie is finding playing time is precious when on the NFL's No. 2-ranked pass defense.
"He's making progress and he has fulfilled his role reasonably well,'' Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "There are still things that pop up that need to get corrected, but if he was totally and completely ready to play when he arrived here, they wouldn't need coaches.''
What Cromartie, who has three special teams tackles, needs is a turnover. If he swats down a field goal or forces a fumble on a return, him and Schottenheimer have an agreement: the speedy Cromartie gets to return kicks.
Schottenheimer wouldn't confirm that; Cromartie couldn't wait.
"That's the deal,'' he said. "And I'm getting close to blocking a field goal. That's my biggest deal, trying to get back there on kickoff returns.''
He has fielded three to date, averaging 14 yards with a long of 19. In college, he had two returns longer than 60 yards.
But Michael Turner remains the main returner, and if that's how stays, so be it.
"I'm having fun right now,'' Cromartie said. "We still got 10 more games so you never know what might happen.''
Kiel doesn't own a crystal ball, but he speculates on Cromartie's upside.
"He has a bright future, whether it's here with the San Diego Chargers or anywhere else,'' Kiel said. "He is going to be a great corner.''
CHARGERS NOTES ---- All the Chargers nursing nagging injuries practiced Friday and were upgraded to probable for Sunday's game against the Rams, including RG Mike Goff (finger) and S Bhawoh Jue (knee). The only Chargers not working were DE Igor Olshansky (knee) and LB Shaun Phillips (calf); Neither will play Sunday. ... Rams LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (Vista High) was downgraded to questionable from probable because of a hand injury; his practice time was limited. ... Although the local TV blackout has been lifted Sunday, there are tickets remaining for the game.
Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.
At a glance
Holding down Holt
The Chargers' pass defense will be challenged Sunday in tracking Rams WR Torry Holt. Here's the list for fewest NFL games it took in gaining 10,000 receiving yards:
Player Team Receptions
Torry Holt Rams 116
Lance Alworth Chargers 120
Jerry Rice 49ers 121
Marvin Harrison Colts 122
Randy Moss Vikings 124
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