Cromartie garners another accolade

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Thursday, January 3, 2008 11:32 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Antonio Cromartie has become adept at halting receivers and receiving honors. The latter occurred again Thursday, when Cromartie was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December.

Cromartie, the Chargers' Pro Bowl cornerback, had four interceptions in the final month of the season. He led the NFL with 10 interceptions despite not making his first start until Nov. 11.

"I just go play football," Cromartie said Thursday. "When an award comes, they come. I just take it how it is and keep going."

The second-year player has made major strides this season after struggling to make tackles as a rookie. Secondary coach Bill Bradley recently said Cromartie progressed more this season than any player he has coached in 24 seasons as a college or professional coach.

"This is the fastest rise I've had the privilege to coach, and I've coached some good ones," Bradley said. "The sky is the limit for him now. It's still all in front of him."

Fond of Sapp

Oakland defensive tackle Warren Sapp retired Thursday, and Chargers coach Norv Turner ---- who coached Sapp for two seasons with the Raiders ---- complimented the seven-time Pro Bowl player.

"He had an unbelievable career," Turner said. "I think of Warren two ways. Obviously, the first is coaching against him through those great years in Tampa. We had some great battles, and he's a heck of a football player.

"Then getting to be with him and spending the time with him and getting to know him as a person (in Oakland). He's a very unique guy."

Not much to say

A major talking point this week is how Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch got the better of Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeill when the teams met last month in Nashville. Vanden Bosch had three sacks.

However, McNeill has nothing to say. He said he and Pro Bowl guard Kris Dielman won't talk to reporters this week.

"I just don't want to talk about it," McNeill said. "We'll do interviews after the game."

Turner said containing Vanden Bosch will be a critical element of Sunday's game.

"Marcus is not the Lone Ranger in that one," said Turner, referring to Vanden Bosch's 12 1/2-sack season. "There have been a few guys that have struggled. It's something that is a part of the game and it's a matchup that Marcus has to do as well as he can. We have to make sure we give him the appropriate help when we can."

Titans suffer blow

Tennessee receiver Roydell Williams will miss Sunday's game after breaking his right ankle in practice earlier this week.

Williams is tied for the team lead with 55 receptions. He joins tight end Bo Scaife (lacerated liver) as key Tennessee receiving targets who will miss the game.

Tennessee quarterback Vince Young (quadriceps) split practice repetitions Thursday with backup Kerry Collins and appears in line to start.

Et cetera

K Nate Kaeding (left fibula) didn't practice Thursday, and it's becoming clear that Dave Rayner will again handle kickoffs on Sunday. ... Rookie OLB Jyles Tucker was named GMC Defensive Player of the Week one day after being named NFL Defensive Player of the Week. Tucker had three sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown against Oakland last Sunday.