Jets Trade for Antonio Cromartie

USC head coach Pete Carroll: “He’s a high achiever, driven, all of the positive things. He wants to be great and he’s willing to do what it takes to be great. He doesn’t just talk about it, he does it…We were obviously delighted to learn of Taylor’s decision to return for the 2009 season. He and his family did a lot of research and made an educated decision. He embodies all the virtues of staying. He wanted to do this not only to improve as a player, but he came back for his team, for his school and for the fans. We’re looking forward to Taylor having another outstanding season in 2009 and furthering his standing as a player and a person. He’s one of the most gifted safeties to ever play at USC and he wanted to come back and do it one more time.”

Former USC safety Kevin Ellison: “He’s a great athlete, but people don’t give him enough credit for how smart he is about football. He studies the game. He works hard. He wants to be great. He’s going to do his job. You can count on Taylor to take care of his responsibility.”

USC strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle: “Have I ever seen anyone that big move that fast? Maybe when I walked by the cheetah cage at the wildlife park.”

On returning for his senior year “I felt like I had more to prove in college football and I wanted one more chance to win a national championship…There are a lot more things I want to accomplish as a player, a student and a person, things that I’ve dreamed about for a long time and that are big goals to me. Returning to USC will help me be the best player I can be and put me in the best position possible for the next level. It came down to whether I felt I was ready physically and mentally. I feel there are some more things in my game that I can improve upon, things that would help me take the next step. I didn’t want to sell myself short. Plus, I want to be here for my teammates and provide an example to them as a leader and a player. I love the camaraderie here and the atmosphere. USC is a special place. From all the players I’ve talked to in the NFL, they say it’s a whole different world up there. They enjoyed college more than the NFL. I want to enjoy my last year of fun before it turns into a business. I’m also on track to graduate this fall and I know that’s a big deal to my parents.”

Yes, former teammates and people affiliated with USC, doesn’t mean they go out of their way to say things that aren’t true. He didn’t win 3 first team all american awards at the combine. Seems like a smart kid who is willing to learn and has more athleticism then pretty much anybody in the draft.

How does a guy who can’t wrap up, can’t play the run, can’t cover, can’t make reads, and can’t take a good route to the ball accomplish all that at a school like USC that is always loaded with the top talent?

I don’t even care that you don’t like Mays. I just find it funny thats the second time you have basically called me an idiot for liking a player you don’t like, when you told me not to do just that.

And the only real reason you have for keeping Rhodes is that you think he will do better playing in centerfield with 2 good cornerbacks, that is your opinion, it isn’t a fact.

You have to take good angles, you have to wrap up being the last line of D sometimes and you have to be able to cover people. he does none of those things

Rhodes doesn’t do many of those things either. I would love for Rhodes to stay here and succeed, I just don’t feel like he will, after two sub-par years.

Mays is raw, but he can fly to the ball, which is the most important thing for a safety in this defense to do. I understand I like Mays and you don’t, it’s fine, it’s how it is with the draft, but if I am undervaluing Rhodes, you are undervaluing Mays. The way you describe the guy you would think he should be an undrafted free agent. I mean, the guy is a 3 time first team all american, and was a projected first round pick since his junior year, long before he ever stepped foot in the combine.

Funny
With Rhodes as our Safety, we were 30 minutes away from the SB. I dont see why he has to go so badly in favor of a "maybe". Ask the Giants how much fun it is with a "maybe" out there playing safety.

Funny, we also almost made it to the superbowl with Drew Coleman getting serious reps, and Lito Sheppard starting. Lets bring them back also.

he hasn’t played good football. That’s as far as it goes. Do you really think that in my heart I think he has played well, but am pretending he didn’t so I can have a reason to say I want him traded, because for some weird reason I want him gone because I hate him personally?