Sprint Game Ball: Antonio Cromartie
by John B on Oct 12, 2010 8:23 PM EDT
in Sprint Game Ball of the Week
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In a somewhat surprising move, the Jets stuck Randy Moss on Alcrotraz against Minnesota in Week 5. Darrelle Revis figured to see at least some time against his nemesis in his return to action. It did not happen, though. Perhaps Rex Ryan was concerned with Revis' balky hamstring. Perhaps he did not want to go away from what worked so well in Week 2. Cromartie dominated Moss in the second half. Perhaps it had to do with motivating Cromartie. Antonio has been somewhat inconsistent in his career, but playing against an elite receiver he trash talked during the week was sure to keep him focused. Most likely it was a combination of all of these.
In any event, Cromartie was excellent against Moss. The receiver's final numbers are deceiving. His 4 catch, 81 yard, 1 touchdown line makes it look like the pair fought to something of a draw. One of those grabs was with the Jets leading by 9 in the final 80 seconds. Cromartie was playing exceptionally soft just to avoid giving up an easy touchdown. Cro was also in great coverage on Moss' 37 yard touchdown reception. To complete that pass, Brett Favre needed to fit the ball into a ridiculously tight window to make that happen. It was a great throw by Favre. Cromartie was in position.
Moss was targeted 8 other times in the game. What were the results? Moss had 2 catches for 23 yards.That is less than 3 yards per target. Favre kept trying to force it to a covered Moss. He wasn't able to make throws as perfect as the one he made on the touchdown. On a lot of plays, Cromartie so overmatched Moss at the line that the receiver quit on his route.
Cromartie eliminated one of the most dangerous weapons in the game aside from plays when Minnesota executed with incredible precision. For that, he gets my Sprint Game Ball.
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Shame on me
Fixed to add Folk
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Harris had his best game in a long time.
He was a tone setter with some big hits on AP. Made some great open field tackles. And pressured Favre a few times. He belongs right there with Cro.
by colinyoung on Oct 12, 2010 8:38 PM EDT reply actions
Last year watching Nick Folk kick was a horror.
Suddenly I wish he was still the Cowboys kicker. At least he went to the home town Jets. Makes some of me happy I guess.
Individuals don't win Championships, Teams do.
Chase for 28
O-Line?
They had their way with what many consider to be one ofthe best D-lines in the league (but is Jared Allen overrated now?). The running game was very good, Sanchez was under little pressure… They held it down for 60 minutes.
Good argument can be made for the line, busting out 150+ on the ground and killing Minnesota’s streak of 51 games without giving that up that many yards. But my game ball is going to the oft-maligned Dallas castoff, Nick Folk. This guy has battled through adversity, and got his focus back like very few kickers have ever done after the slump he endured.
We thought the K position was going to be a weakness if not an outright liability this year, but this guy is making it a strength. 5 FG’s including one from 53 in a game we needed every point, makes this a no-brainer. Because we probably don’t win that game if he missed any one of them.
by nationalist88 on Oct 12, 2010 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea I had to give it to Brick for mostly neutralizing Jared Allen
But in reality any of these guys could get it, they all played well
"I reject your reality and substitute my own"
-Adam Savage
by blueandorange4life on Oct 12, 2010 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Folk hands down.
Hit deep ones, close ones, ones in a freaking monsoon, he deserved it.
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I dont think brick gets enough love
he dominated the best all around defensive end in the game…
even though sanchez didnt throw much he was a big part on blocking allen on the pass and on the run… allen was made invisible and how many times can you say that.
i didnt forget what cro did but brick is 1 and cro is 1-A
Voted for Cro
If he doesn’t do the job, Moss goes off early in the game, then Folk wouldn’t even get the chance at those kicks. Of course this in no way takes away from Folk, or really any of the other, just showing some love for the Cro!
España 2010 Campenoes del Mundo!!!
Cromartie.
While I have issues handing out a game ball to any one player in a game where so many people shined, I’m kinda rooting for Cromartie. He was brought in to kinda play second fiddle to Revis, but he’s been more impressive in my opinion. And, really want Revis to feel replaceable on this team.
I’ve seen what being on the cover of ESPN has done for his head and I can’t say I love it. I’ll be happy when he feels like he has something he needs to play for again.
Voted for Cro as well
By the way, everyone (including Cromartie himself) has been calling him ‘Alcrotraz’ – a nickname obviously derived from the fact that Revis Island is on the other side of the field at CB. I think that we should give Cro the respect that he deserves as the #1 CB on this team right now by giving him a nickname that isn’t just a shadow of another..
…he sticks to his receivers like ‘VelCro.’
Gruden said it on MNF, and I like it a whole lot more than AlCrotraz.
...you're a jet all the way.
I say Harris, unsung hero again...
he kept AP completely in check all game, and was in on what felt like every tackle.
My Verizon game ball goes to Tomlinson.
The first half of explosive runs against a team that doesn’t allow the run was the sign that the Jets would be already. Again and again he just burst and slashed with extraordinary fire. He, more than anyone else, carved out the psychological space for the Jets as winners. In fact it was only when they went away from his repeated success that the Jets started to stall.
"Sometimes it's the people. Any player can play defense, but not every player will play defense. Sometimes it's a lack of perseverance." - A. Johnson
ST
Though many deserve it as stated in all the posts above and even Pace who came back from a broken foot and lead the team in sacks.
But I vote for the specials teams. With Folk, Weatherford, Brad Smith, and the KO team. Folk was huge with some clutch kicks in bad weather, Weatherford some clutch punts in bad weather, Brad Smith with the huge KO return to give us the momentum back when we all said oh no the vikes are coming back hard, and the KO team for not letting Percy hurt us with big returns.
All about the O line
so Brick gets it.. and lets be honest Cro had to cover only 1 rout “the Go”. with his size and speed it shouldnt be rocket science. easy day for him.
REVIS "HATING" ON CROMARTIE?
INTERPRETATION: Is Revis “hating” on Antonio Cromartie? http://clicky.me/2Qcf
Harris gets the game ball.
If you take away 3 of the PD’s Cro had his stats mirror Kyle Wilsons from his “bad” game last week. Except for the fact that Cro let up more yards. PD’s are fun to watch but lets not get swept up in the glitz. David Harris went toe-to-toe with one of the GOAT’s at the RB position and won his 1 on 1 match up’s. Moss was 3 days into a new system with a diminished diaper wearing QB throwing him the ball. Harris was a beast monday night and in my opinion, also covered up for yet another below average night from Bart Scott. Harris all the way.
by colinyoung on Oct 13, 2010 11:05 AM EDT reply actions
Scott has been pretty quiet, huh? At least from an impact play standpoint..
by nationalist88 on Oct 13, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Very quiet.
Seeing as how he’s a system guy from Rex’s days at B-more you would think that his role would be more suited to make him the star of this defense. But it’s really not the case. He does more talking pre-game than playing. Mabye his role is set as a support guy. I don’t know but we really didn’t hear ppl screaming his name last either. And It’s funny how Rex dosn’t touch on his play in any postgame pressers. He may be the vocal leader of this team and little else. A person to carry the Rex mentality onto the field and little else.
by colinyoung on Oct 13, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Mark Sanchez for honorable mention
I think most of us forget that this QB had the reputation of being a warm weather QB. That stops as of now. The conditions of Mondays game were horrid for a QB who was asked to throw the ball 45 times. Taking into consideration that Jets WR’s dropped at least 5 catchable passes from Mark he definatly deserves a mention despite his stats.
by colinyoung on Oct 13, 2010 2:17 PM EDT reply actions
Completely disagree
I think most of us forget that this QB had the reputation of being a warm weather QB. That stops as of now. The conditions of Mondays game were horrid for a QB who was asked to throw the ball 45 times. Taking into consideration that Jets WR’s dropped at least 5 catchable passes from Mark he definatly deserves a mention despite his stats.
How can you give the game ball to a QB with a QB rating UNDER 60? If you want to count his drops, then you have have to count the drop of his INT by Winfield. If that ball is intercepted, the game goes a very different direction.
A QB does not get credit for throwing the ball 45 times. Many if not most of his passes were horribly off target, even in the short passing game. He lacked feel, was rifling the ball at close range, throwing high to receivers all day – a no no against a cover 2 zone – and faded as the game went on.
This guy has played well much of the year, but game ball???
"Sometimes it's the people. Any player can play defense, but not every player will play defense. Sometimes it's a lack of perseverance." - A. Johnson
by kv on Oct 13, 2010 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Who said "game ball" kv? I know I didn't.
I said “honorable mention”. Which is usually described as a player who performs admirably but is not deserving of a top honor. And considering the idea that Mark has been labled a warm weather QB and has shown the inability to pass in inclimate weather in the past, I would say that he performed well enough to be “mentioned”. Couple this with the fact that the NFL is seeing numerous complaints logged in reguards to the breast cancer awareness football the teams have been playing with the last few weeks. And the notable downturn in production from QB’s who DON’T play in domes and perfect weather may prove that fact as well.
And above everything else kv. This QB has helped lead his team to yet another win by being the only active or starting QB in the league without being responsible for a turnover. And in light of last years problems with protecting the ball, I’d say he deserves an “honorable mention” as long as he keeps doing that.
by colinyoung on Oct 13, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
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