Antonio Cromartie: Stay or Go? Part 7: The Market

by John B on Feb 10, 2011 3:45 PM EST

PITTSBURGH PA - JANUARY 23: Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets warms up prior their 2011 AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 23 2011 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Cornerbacks make insane money on the free agent market. Consider this. Asante Samuel, Kelvin Hayden, Dunta Robinson, and Nate Clements all have contracts with an average annual salary over $9 million. Is any of those guys any better than slightly above average? I know Samuel gets a ton of hype because he has good hands when a quarterback misfires in his direction, but is he really in the Revis/Asomugha class?

The point is once Cro hits the open market, he will be in line to get paid. I understand he says he loves being a Jet. I understand there might be some gratitude for the team fronting him money over the offseason so he could pay make back child support payments. The fact of the matter is that money talks.

I am not trying to be funny by saying this, but the man now has 8 children. Kids cost a lot of money, and an NFL player's earning potential is limited. Cro is near the peak of his athletic prime at 26. Could anybody really blame him for cashing in with the highest bidder? Could the Jets break the bank for him with Darrelle Revis already making a ton at the position even if it is one of value in the system?

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If Cro can get 9million per bless him and have a good life. Maybe we start looking at a CB that can tackle like Richard Marshall. Trying to sign four premium FA of our own, you ask for 9 million your out.

by JetOrange on Feb 10, 2011 4:05 PM EST reply actions

If its that high just give Wilson the job...

time to sink or swin, we can’t be perfect everywhere, and we did fine with Lowery and Sheppard there in 09, and neither played well. I’d prefer us using the money to help keep both Holmes and Edwards, and trying to sign an OLB like Kiwi.

by Judgegavel on Feb 10, 2011 4:49 PM EST reply actions

I agree 100%. 10M is way too much, especially when Wilson is a round 1 pick. I think we should turn it over to Wilson draft another corner in round 3 or 4.

Priority 1 should be to use that money to bring back both receivers. Then we should see if we have any scratch left over to grab a legit OLB.

by Crackback on Feb 10, 2011 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

He's really not worth breaking the bank for.

I still think a corner in the draft like Aaron Williams would be perfect. I still can’t trust Wilson being handed the job. Lowery is our best option if not Cro.

by JetKing55 on Feb 10, 2011 5:01 PM EST reply actions