HEADLINES

Antonio Cromartie

AFC East Notes: Cromartie, Develin, Pouncey

February 23rd, 2016 at 10:29am CST by Luke Adams

Before they released cornerback Antonio Cromartie on Monday, the Jets did not ask him to take a pay cut, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Cromartie had been set to earn an $8MM base salary for 2016, but none of it was guaranteed, and there was no prorated signing bonus money on the cornerback’s deal, so the Jets cleared the entire $8MM cap hit from their books.

The fact that the Jets didn’t ask Cromartie to come back at a reduced price – combined with his farewell Instagram post on Monday – suggests that the team probably doesn’t have any interest in re-signing him now that he has hit free agency.

Here’s more on how the Jets may replace Cromartie, along with a couple more items from out of the AFC East:

  • Former undrafted free agent Marcus Williams deserves the first crack at taking over for Cromartie, says Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. In Cimini’s view, promoting an in-house option or using a mid-round pick on a cornerback makes more sense than diving into the free agent market, since the $8MM the team saved on Cromartie could be used elsewhere.
  • Fullback James Develin is a part of the Patriots‘ free agent plans and they want him back, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com writes. Now, they have to figure out how to accomplish that. Develin a restricted free agent and the Pats could tender him at the lowest level, which would be $1.6MM. That salary would make him the sixth-highest paid fullback in the NFL (as of this writing).
  • Dolphins center Mike Pouncey revealed that he recently underwent surgery, as Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald writes. Pouncey suffered what was believed to be a minor foot injury in the Dolphins’ Week 15 loss to the Chargers, but it’s not immediately clear if he went under the knife to fix that foot. That injury cost Pouncey the final two games of the ’15 season and kept him from playing in the Pro Bowl.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Jets Release Antonio Cromartie

February 22nd, 2016 at 12:18pm CST by Luke Adams

A year after bringing him back on a four-year contract, the Jets have released cornerback Antonio Cromartie, the team announced today in a press release. As a vested veteran, Cromartie will become an unrestricted free agent without having to pass through waivers, giving him a head start on this year’s free agent period.Antonio Cromartie

Cromartie, who turns 32 in April, had earned three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2012 to 2014, earning him a four-year, $32MM deal with the Jets last March. However, he wasn’t as effective as usual during his first season back in New York — Pro Football Focus ranked him 86th out of 111 qualified cornerbacks.

Because Cromartie’s pact was essentially a pay-as-you-go deal, it allowed the Jets to get out of it this year without taking on any dead money for the veteran corner. In his first year, Cromartie earned a $5MM base salary and a $2MM roster bonus. For 2016, his $8MM base salary was fully non-guaranteed, so New York creates $8MM in cap savings by releasing him.

While Cromartie will hit free agency, it doesn’t appear likely that the Jets’ other big cornerback signings from 2015 are going anywhere this offseason. With Darrelle Revis, Buster Skrine, and former first-rounder Dee Milliner among the cornerbacks in the mix for New York heading into 2016, the team may look to fortify the position with an addition or two in free agency and/or the draft.

As for Cromartie, he figures to draw interest on the open market, despite coming off a down year. A reunion with the Cardinals, his 2014 team, is one possibility, though he’ll likely have other suitors.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC Notes: Mularkey, Jets, Texans

January 2nd, 2016 at 9:55am CST by Ben Levine

The Titans have only gone 2-6 under interim head coach Mike Mularkey, but the 54-year-old has still been thrilled with the opportunity.

“It’s been busy, very busy, but I enjoy my job,’’ Mularkey told Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com. “I really enjoy it and being around these guys. It’s fun to come into work. I think it’s fun for them and I’d like to end on a win, obviously. I think they all would.”

Of course, Mularkey understands that ‘Black Monday’ is quickly approaching, and his underwhelming record doesn’t make him a shoo-in to keep his job.

“I really don’t know what, to be honest, what the format is (for Monday),” Mularkey said. “I’m going to come in on Monday. We’re all going to come in on Monday. I’m going to remain the head coach until I’m told otherwise.

“We’ve got a plan for the week, really for the beginning part of the week, and then coaches are going to take some time off. We’re going to move forward that way.”

Let’s check out some more notes from around the AFC…

  • Rich Cimini says cornerback Antonio Cromartie will be the Jets most likely cap casualty this offseason. The veteran has three years left on his contract, but none of the money is guaranteed, making him a relatively easy cut. The writer also suggests wideout Jeremy Kerley, tight end Jeff Cumberland, offensive linemen D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, and Breno Giacomini, and quarterback Geno Smith as potential cap casualties.
  • Texans first-round pick Kevin Johnson has had a solid rookie campaign, and the defensive back is hoping to carry over that play into 2016. “I feel good about my rookie season,” he told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “It’s a blessing to come into an organization with guys I can learn from and take me under their wing like J-Jo and Kareem. I feel like I did some good things and also some things to learn from.”
  • Texans lineman Brandon Brooks has missed several games this season due to an illness and toe injury. The 26-year-old recently returned to the lineup, and the impending free agent is hoping to boost his value before the season concludes. “I feel good, just trying to progress each week,” he told Wilson. “I’m doing some good things out there. There’s always things I can improve, just trying to finish strong. There’s a lot of things I can work on. I’m just trying to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”

AFC East Notes: Jets, Dolphins

November 21st, 2015 at 5:56pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The latest news regarding a pair of AFC East clubs:

  • Fifth-year Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson – making just under $7MM this year – is due for a new contract in the offseason, which he says has motivated him this season. “I know that I’m underpaid right now and I’m gonna play like … I’m somebody that needs to be paid,” Wilkerson told Steve Serby of the New York Post. Wilkerson has four straight seasons of at least five sacks – including seven already this year – and knows he’ll be on the receiving end of a blockbuster payday in the offseason. He just isn’t sure which team will give it to him. “[S]omebody’ll pay me if the Jets don’t,” he said. The Jets weren’t able to lock up Wilkerson during the summer, and the 26-year-old shut down negotiations entering the season because he didn’t want them to serve as a distraction.
  • Like Wilkerson, Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie could also be in another uniform in 2016. As Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News writes, Cromartie has struggled this season and what’s left of the four-year, $32MM deal he signed last winter won’t be difficult for the Jets to get out of during the offseason. Unlike Wilkerson, the 31-year-old Cromartie isn’t concerned about his long-term status. “The only thing I can control is finishing this year on a high note. That’s it. I can’t put myself in a position where I’m thinking, ‘What’s going to happen after this season?’ My goal is to try to help bring a Super Bowl here.”
  • Dolphins interim coach Dan Campbell has gone 3-2 since taking over for the fired Joe Philbin and has his team in the playoff hunt in the AFC. While it’s unlikely that 4-5 Miami ultimately reaches the postseason, it could help Campbell’s cause that he and Dolphins football czar Mike Tannenbaum have a good relationship. “He’s really just helped me get my feet wet here,” Campbell told Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald. “I would say a lot of it is behind-the-scenes-type things that he’s helped me take care of, from who sits on the plane to handling things down at the stadium.” Added Tannenbaum, “Dan and I have a great partnership. We collaborate and discuss a lot of different things.”

Antonio Cromartie May Have ACL/MCL Tear

September 14th, 2015 at 11:55am CST by Zachary Links

11:55am: Great news for the Jets, who announced (via Twitter) that Cromartie’s MRI came back negative. He has a sprained knee and is week-to-week. He has not been ruled out for Monday night.

9:37am: It sounds like the Jets are fearing the worst when it comes to cornerback Antonio Cromartie‘s injury. The veteran will undergo an MRI today to determine the severity of his knee injury and a source tells Mike Florio of PFT that the team is bracing for a diagnosis involving an injury to the ACL and/or MCL.

The Jets brought Cromartie back to New York this offseason shortly after inking Darrelle Revis, reforming the secondary tandem that they had from 2010 through 2012. While Cromartie was not all that sharp towards the end of his Jets tenure, he was a pretty strong compliment to Revis while they played together and the Jets were hoping for a redux after Cromartie enjoyed a bounceback season with the Cardinals. Now, they are hoping that the 31-year-old is not done for the season after just one game.

Cromartie made no secret of the fact that he wanted to sign with the Jets this offseason. His Cardinals teammate Patrick Peterson even complained over the offseason that all Cromartie talked about was “freaking New York.” The Cards maintained interest all along in bringing Cromartie back to Arizona, and the Cowboys were also mentioned at one point as a possible destination, but the Jets ultimately won out.

Cromartie had a pretty atrocious year for the Jets in 2013, finishing with an overall grade of -11.4 (per Pro Football Focus, subscription required), placing him in the bottom ten of all qualified cornerbacks. However, he had something of a resurgence in Arizona, finishing with a much less harsh -0.2 overall grade, putting him 45th out of 108 cornerbacks. That uptick was largely credited to Todd Bowles and both men are clearly excited to continue that partnership in New York.

Contract Details: Clay, Cromartie, Webb, Britt

March 24th, 2015 at 4:57pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are some specific details on a number of contracts agreed to and/or signed recently. One-year minimum salary benefit deals aren’t included.

AFC deals:

  • Charles Clay, TE (Bills): Five years, $38MM base value. $24.5MM fully guaranteed. $10MM signing bonus. $10MM roster bonus in 2016. No-trade clause for first three years (three Twitter links via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
  • Antonio Cromartie, CB (Jets): Four years, $32MM base value. $7MM guaranteed. $2MM roster bonus. No signing bonus (link via Brian Costello of the New York Post).
  • Lardarius Webb, CB (Ravens): Restructured contract. Three years, $18MM base value. $5.25MM guaranteed. $3MM roster bonus in 2015 (link via Wilson).
  • Nate Irving, LB (Colts): Three years, $7.25MM base value. $1.5MM guaranteed. $750K signing bonus. Escalators in 2016, 2017 (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Karl Klug, DL (Titans): Two years, $3.75MM base value. $1MM signing bonus. $200K roster bonus in 2016. Up to $625K in annual incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • James Harrison, OLB (Steelers): Two years, $2.75MM base value. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Byron Stingily, T (Titans): Two years, $2.5MM base value. $250K signing bonus. $800K playing-time escalator (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Louis Delmas, S (Dolphins): One year, $2.25MM base value. Up to $1.25MM in incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Mitch Unrein, DT (Chargers): Two years, $1.9MM base value. $250K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).

NFC deals:

  • Kenny Britt, WR (Rams): Two years, $9.15MM base value. $4.05MM guaranteed. $1.5MM roster bonus in 2015. Potential void in 2016 based on 2015 escalator (link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch).
  • Jacob Tamme, TE (Falcons): Two years, $3.2MM base value. $400K signing bonus. $250K roster bonus in 2016. $1MM escalator based on performance, playing time (Twitter links via Wilson).
  • Clint Gresham, LS (Seahawks): Three years, $2.705MM base value. $300K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Ahtyba Rubin, DL (Seahawks): One year, $2.5MM base value. $1MM signing bonus. Up to $500K in playing-time incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Kenrick Ellis, DT (Giants): One year, $1.475MM base value. $500K guaranteed. $300K signing bonus (Twitter link via Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com).
  • George Selvie, DE (Giants): One year, $1.2MM base value. $200K signing bonus. Up to $200K in incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).

Contract Details: Revis, Cromartie, Spiller

March 18th, 2015 at 4:42pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are a few notable details from some of the contracts signed by free agents within the last several days:

AFC deals:

  • Darrelle Revis, CB (Jets): Five years, $70MM base value. $39MM fully guaranteed. Options for 2018 and 2019 (Twitter links via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
  • Antonio Cromartie, CB (Jets): Four years, $32MM base value. Can be worth up to $35MM (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com).
  • Marcus Gilchrist, S (Jets): Four years, $22MM base value. $3.5MM fully guaranteed. $3.125MM cap number in 2015 (Twitter link via Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com).
  • Tramon Williams, CB (Browns): Three years, $21MM base value. $10MM fully guaranteed. $1.5MM signing bonus. $2MM roster bonus due this month (Twitter links via Wilson).
  • Scott Chandler, TE (Patriots): Two years, $5.3MM base value. $2MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald).
  • Christian Ponder, QB (Raiders): One year, $2.25MM base value. $1.5MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Bill Williamson of ESPN.com).

NFC deals:

  • C.J. Spiller, RB (Saints): Four years, $16MM. $7.3MM fully guaranteed. $2MM available in escalators. Voids after three years if Spiller makes it to two Pro Bowls (link via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk).
  • Rashean Mathis, CB (Lions): Two years, $3.5MM base value. $750K signing bonus (Twitter links via Wilson).
  • Chykie Brown, S (Giants): Two years, $1.8MM base value. $200K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Tyrunn Walker, DT (Lions): One year, $1.75MM base value. $550K signing bonus (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).

Jets To Sign Antonio Cromartie

March 12th, 2015 at 2:16pm CST by Zachary Links

2:16pm: It’s a four-year, $32MM contract for Cromartie, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).

1:58pm: The Jets have reached agreement with cornerback Antonio Cromartie on a contract, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The deal will reunite Cromartie with former partner Darrelle Revis. The two manned the Jets’ secondary together from 2010 through 2012.

On Wednesday, Revis told reporters that he would be working feverishly to make the reunion possible:

“I’m going to get in contact with him very soon and try to convince him to come back and join our Batman and Robin tandem that we had a couple of years ago,” Revis said.

Cromartie, who turns 31 in April, has made no secret of the fact that he’d like to sign with the Jets — his Cardinals teammate Patrick Peterson even complained last month that all Cromartie talked about was “freaking New York.” The Cards maintained interest all along in bringing Cromartie back to Arizona, and the Cowboys were also mentioned earlier this week as a possible destination, but the Jets ultimately won out.

Cromartie had a pretty atrocious year for the Jets in 2013, finishing with an overall grade of -11.4 (per Pro Football Focus, subscription required), placing him in the bottom ten of all qualified cornerbacks. However, he had something of a resurgence in Arizona, finishing with a much less harsh -0.2 overall grade, putting him 45th out of 108 cornerbacks. That uptick was largely credited to Todd Bowles and both men are clearly excited to continue that partnership in New York.

East Notes: Jets, Bills, Harvin, Fasano

March 12th, 2015 at 7:13am CST by Zachary Links

Now that he has returned to the Jets, cornerback Darrelle Revis is working hard to convince Antonio Cromartie to come back to the Meadowlands, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com writes.

“I’m going to get in contact with him very soon and try to convince him to come back and join our Batman and Robin tandem that we had a couple of years ago,” Revis said.

The two cornerbacks played together in New York from 2010 to 2012. There might not be much work for Revis to do, as Cromartie and the Jets are said to be pretty close to a deal.

Here are a few more Thursday morning notes from around the NFL’s two East divisions:

  • The Bills‘ visit with Percy Harvin is scheduled to continue today, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com, who tweets that the wideout is returning to the team’s facility this morning. Buffalo is said to be pushing to sign Harvin to a one-year deal.
  • After cutting Scott Chandler on Wednesday, the Bills are interested in former Chiefs tight end Anthony Fasano, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. Fasano could visit with Buffalo if he doesn’t sign with the Titans during his visit there. Fasano, 30, was released by KC in late February.
  • Running back Shane Vereen made it clear last night that he’s not having second thoughts about leaving the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots for the Giants, as Doug Kyed of NESN writes. “This is a great organization. I was fortunate enough to play in New England with another great organization, and this is no slouch,” Vereen said. “This is not a step down. If anything, it’s a step up. I’m looking forward to the opportunity, and I’m enjoying being in New York.”

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Jets Expect To Sign Antonio Cromartie

March 11th, 2015 at 2:20pm CST by Luke Adams

1:20pm: There are still some details to be worked out, but the Jets expect to land Cromartie and it looks like it’ll get done, tweets Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports.

8:45am: The Jets are the “clear leaders” in the Cromartie sweepstakes, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

8:11am: Having already reached agreements with Darrelle Revis and Buster Skrine, two of the top cornerbacks available this offseason, the Jets aren’t done looking for help in the secondary. Reports last night indicated that the team was still engaged in discussions with free agent corner Antonio Cromartie, with Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News characterizing those talks as “serious.”

The two sides negotiated into the “wee hours” of Tuesday night and spoke again this morning, but haven’t yet reached a deal, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post (all Twitter links). As Costello cautions, that doesn’t mean Cromartie and the Jets won’t eventually work something out, since the two sides are still talking. In fact, the Jets appear to be one of two finalists for the veteran corner — Costello says Cromartie is expected to choose today between signing with New York or returning to the Cardinals.

Cromartie, who turns 31 in April, has made no secret of the fact that he’d like to sign with the Jets — his Cardinals teammate Patrick Peterson even complained last month that all Cromartie talked about was “freaking New York.” Still, the Cards have maintained interest all along in bringing Cromartie back to Arizona, and the Cowboys were also mentioned yesterday as a possible destination.

Load More Posts