After losing out on Asomugha, Jets set to sign CB Cromartie

NEW YORK -- After losing out on Nnamdi Asomugha, the New York Jets turned to their backup plan: the guy they were trying to replace.

A person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press early Monday morning that the Jets agreed to terms on a four-year contract with Antonio Cromartie, keeping the cornerback in New York. Cromartie, acquired last offseason from the San Diego Chargers, was solid for New York opposite Darrelle Revis, finishing with 42 tackles and three interceptions.

The person spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because the team hadn't announced the move.

"They say Cro is back, Cro is back all GangGreen fans say is Cro...lol," Cromartie wrote on his Twitter page. "I'm on my FLT headed home glad 2 b a JET...let's go win a Superbowl."

The move capped a huge day for the Jets, who signed wide receiver Plaxico Burress to a one-year deal earlier Sunday.

After signing wide receiver Santonio Holmes, their top priority, the Jets went after Asomugha and were one of the favorites to land the most-coveted player in free agency. But Asomugha surprisingly signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving the Jets to turn to a familiar face.

The New York Daily News reported the deal is worth $32 million. Cromartie had said recently that he wasn't going to give the Jets "a hometown discount" despite wanting to be back with the team, but took less than Asomugha got from the Eagles and what Johnathan Joseph got from the Houston Texans.

The NFL free agency cycle is in full effect, with teams and players agreeing to terms fast as training camps open. Get the latest on all the news right here.

New York made it clear it wanted Asomugha, who was considered an upgrade from Cromartie. Not that Cromartie was at all bad last season. Coach Rex Ryan just imagined a "No-Fly Zone" secondary with Revis and Asomugha, both considered by many to be the best cornerbacks in the league.

Apparently, Cromartie had no hard feelings. And, if there were, it was nothing a long-term deal couldn't fix.

Getting Cromartie back is a nice fallback for the Jets, who would have been scrambling to find a replacement. They drafted Kyle Wilson in the first round in 2010, but he might not be ready to be a starter after struggling mightily early last season.

Cromartie, who also drew interest from the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, had some impressive moments at times for the Jets, and seamlessly filled in for an injured Revis early last season as the team's top cornerback. He even showed he could be a solid kickoff returner, setting up the winning touchdown in the playoffs against the Indianapolis Colts with a 47-yard return.

The Jets could use him in that role again this season after losing versatile Brad Smith, the team's primary kick returner a year ago, to Buffalo.

New York acquired the talented but troubled Cromartie from San Diego for a conditional third-round draft pick in 2011 - which became a second-rounder based on his production. He was considered one of the rising talents in the league in 2007, when he was an All-Pro in his second season after getting an NFL-leading 10 interceptions, but struggled on and off the field. Cromartie's tackling was an issue in San Diego, but he vowed to get better when he came to New York, and clearly improved in that area although he led the defense in penalties.

Cromartie was also dealing with paternity issues at the time of the deal, with seven children by several women, but the Jets advanced him $500,000 to help clear that up. He has since married reality TV star and model Terricka Cason, and often tweets about the joys of family life and his faith.

The Jets reported for training camp at their facility in Florham Park, N.J., on Sunday, with their first practice scheduled for Monday afternoon.

"Ok guys taking off c u guys at Florham Park," Cromartie tweeted early Monday. "God Bless u all...Jet sailing 2 be a JET...goodnight 2 some and good morning to others I'm out."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

View the original article here

Asomugha a Jet? Fellow CB Revis would highly approve of that

The New York Jets already have one shutdown cornerback. Darrelle Revis says they should try to make it two.

Nnamdi Asomugha is considered the top player available among this year's free agents, and Rex Ryan surely would love to add another dominant player to his secondary. The Jets, who reached an agreement with wide receiver Santonio Holmes early Wednesday, also are in serious negotiations with Asomugha.

That would be fine with Revis, the New York Daily News first reported via Twitter on Wednesday.

"He's the best cornerback in the league," said Revis, who often has been labeled as such by others around the league. "Me and him as a tandem would be unbelievable. It would be awesome.

The NFL free agency cycle is in full effect, with teams and players agreeing to terms fast as training camps open. Get the latest on all the news right here.

"I would love to have him as a teammate."

Talk about a ringing endorsement. And talk about a nightmare for opposing offenses. Revis and Asomugha are considered by many to be the top cornerbacks in the league, and teams would have a difficult time challenging a secondary with those two roaming around.

Revis said if Asomugha signs with the Jets, "our pass defense is going to be sky high."

But New York isn't the only team hot after Asomugha, who will command a huge contract as he did while with the Oakland Raiders. If they can't land Asomugha, the Jets could turn their attention back to Antonio Cromartie, one of their own free agents who had a solid season in 2010 after being acquired from the San Diego Chargers.

"We all know this is a business," said Revis, who missed training camp last summer while embroiled in a bitter contract holdout before signing.

A few things working in the Jets' favor, though, are the facts that Revis and Asomugha are friends who have openly talked about how fun it would be to play together, and that Asomugha reportedly would like to get into acting after his playing career. New York could be attractive to him for that reason, too.

"Everybody would love to see him as a member of their team," Revis said. "I would want to see it. Hopefully, it happens."

Revis wouldn't bite when asked which of the two -- Asomugha or Cromartie -- he would prefer to play with if given the choice. He said he recently spoke to Asomugha but not to "recruit" him.

"We've always spoke as friends, but we even spoke about it at the Pro Bowl, about playing on the same team," Revis said. "Nnamdi, he knows where he wants to play and what's the best fit for him and what he wants to do with his career."

Revis also said he would accept wide receiver Randy Moss if the team went out and signed him. The two have made comments about each other in the past, especially while Moss was on the New England Patriots, and Revis called him "a slouch" for his lack of effort at times.

"Randy, you respect a guy like him," Revis said. "Words are words. We know sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View the original article here

Asomugha could be part of solution for Texans in free agency

The NFL lockout hasn't done the Houston Texans any favors.

CB2K: Strong case for Asomugha Nnamdi Asomugha will be
a hot commodity when the NFL lockout finally ends and free agency begins, but is he the best cornerback of the new millennium? Our experts debate. More ...

» Data Points: How he rates among CBs

For all of the talk about how the labor strife has impacted rookie players and rookie head coaches, the Texans also are in bind as they look to switch to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator Wade Phillips and, more to the point, change the entire culture on that side of the ball.

There is significant pressure on the franchise to finally break through and reach the playoffs, and that task is only compounded by all of the teaching, learning and bonding time lost because of the lockout. That's all the more reason for the Texans to be aggressive in free agency, and all the more reason for them to target specific areas of the defense.

The Texans indeed are prepared to be aggressive in free agency, according to league sources, and will be among the teams pursuing All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

While awaiting a collective bargaining agreement and new free-agency rules, it's very difficult to gauge the market and how high the price for a top cornerback will go. But look for the Texans to closely monitor that market and determine if the price point on Asomugha fits their budget.

The secondary is an area in need of upgrade, and the Texans routinely have been willing to spend under dedicated owner Bob McNair. So they will target that area in free agency.

A year ago, the Texans let cornerback Dunta Robinson go, a move that was understandable given concerns about his injury history and his salary spiraling on the open market (he signed a six-year, $57 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons). Houston made a concerted push to land free-agent cornerback Leigh Bodden but ultimately lost out as he remained in New England.

Asomugha, who has spent his entire NFL career with the Oakland Raiders, is far and away the premier cornerback available this year, but the Bengals' Jonathan Joseph is another option.

Houston also is looking for safety help, and Gerald Sensabaugh is a logical free-agent candidate. I expect the Texans to make a bid for him as well.

Sensabaugh has strong ties to Phillips through their time together in Dallas and knows the coach's system well. Sensabaugh could help teach it to others, with time of the essence after the lockout ends.

Adding a shutdown corner and a dependable safety will be imperative for a Houston team that has fallen prey to critical breakdowns at crucial times and a defense that has yielded shocking amounts of yardage and points far too often. Change is needed, and Phillips will look to shake up the make-up and attitude of that unit whenever the market finally opens.

View the original article here

Raiders likely without CB Asomugha, TE Miller against Chiefs

View the original article here