Second-year starter quietly excited to lock horns with NFL legend

By: SCOTT BAIR - Staff Writer
Both Chargers CB and Pats Moss turned in banner seasons | Sunday, January 20, 2008 8:09 AM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Antonio Cromartie has taken a vow of silence.

The Chargers' cornerback prodigy shunned interviews and denied all media requests beginning Wednesday, choosing instead to channel focus toward today's AFC Championship against the New England Patriots.

"I'll talk," Cromartie said, "after the game is over."

Cromartie has gone quiet to prepare for the toughest assignment of his young career. Words certainly won't help him corral Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss; they might only serve to fuel a veteran pass catcher who has been virtually unstoppable all season long.

"He's the best receiver in the world," Chargers safety Marlon McCree said. "He' s got that combination of speed, size and athletic ability, which makes him incredibly difficult to cover."

If there's anyone who can match up with Moss, it's the 23-year old out of Florida State. Moss can beat most defenders with raw talent alone, but that might be a little harder against someone who can cover 40 yards in 4.37 seconds and leap 42 inches in a single bound. Cromartie's numbers, plus terrific closing speed and superb body control, have produced a reel's worth of highlights and an NFL-best 11 interceptions ---- including one of Peyton Manning last week in the divisional playoffs.

"He's a really good athlete," Patriots receiver Donte Stallworth said. "He's a young guy, but he understands their scheme and what they want to get done. The guy had a hundred interceptions; I think he's got an extra arm or something. He's cheating somehow, but he's making a lot of plays."

Tall tales are the only way opponents can explain Cromartie's exploits in a season in which he set the franchise mark for interceptions in a season and an NFL record for the longest return touchdown. Shutting down one of the best receivers ever would surely punctuate a season for the ages.

Cromartie addressed such a task before going stealth, and was careful not to tug on Superman's cape.

"It's going to be a great challenge for me especially in my young career facing a savvy veteran in Randy Moss," Cromartie said. "I'm looking forward to it very much."

It's a challenge that few, if any, have undertaken with complete success.

Chargers coach Norv Turner said Cromartie won't shadow Moss on Sunday afternoon, covering him only when he's on Cromartie's side. But they will go head to head quite often with a Super Bowl at stake, something Cromartie is openly excited about.

"Who wouldn't be?" he said.

Most cornerbacks, for one. Moss made a fine living by burning defensive backs for big plays and touchdowns, by pulling down underthrown passes that should've been interceptions.

Cromartie is an athlete right out of the Moss mold, with physical gifts that make the improbable seem realistic. Both are brimming with confidence, but Cromartie is the one who truly has something to prove.

"Going up against one of the better receivers in the game, it'll be a good test for him," Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. "I think, really and truly, that's what you should want. I'm pretty sure Cromartie is looking forward to the matchup because he gets to play against one of the better receivers.

"It's probably going to bring out the best in him. He's probably going to be a little more focused going into this game than any other game just for the simple fact that he knows what's on the line and he knows the kind of plays that Randy Moss can make."

Contact staff writer Scott Bair at (760) 739-6642 or sbair@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.

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