Cromartie humble for first Pro Bowl

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Tuesday, February 5, 2008 12:11 AM PST ∞

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Antonio Cromartie did what numerous elite NFL players do during the week leading up to the Super Bowl. He made the rounds with his new marketing agent, interacted with other star players and did as many interviews as possible in Radio Row.

Then the Chargers cornerback flew to Hawaii on Monday for this Sunday's Pro Bowl, a game full of elite NFL players.

Reverse time back five months, and few people would've forecasted Cromartie's name and the term "elite player" belonging in the same sentence. But after leading the NFL with a franchise-record 10 interceptions in just his second NFL season, Cromartie arrived in Honolulu on Monday as one of the elite defensive players in the game.

And guess what? He isn't satisfied with meeting his 2007 goal of 10 interceptions. He's considering upping next year's goal to what would be an NFL record number of picks.

"Fifteen might be the goal next year," Cromartie said last week.

Dick "Night Train" Lane of the Los Angeles Rams set the NFL record of 14 in 1952. The closest a player has come to tying Lane's mark was when Oakland's Lester Hayes had 13 interceptions in 1980.

Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo doesn't think 15 interceptions is an unrealistic goal for Cromartie, a player still scratching the surface of his vast game-breaking potential.

"You look at most of his picks this year, and they were great, athletic plays," Castillo said. "They were incredible athletic abilities that most people don't have. You look at the fact that he is still so raw in terms of his positioning and footwork. Not to say he has a long way to go, but he's going to continue to get better. When you have a guy that hasn't played that many full seasons, he's just going to get better and it's scary to think of how good he can possibly be once he develops that all-around game.

"I think he can get 15 because if he's making the picks just out of the freakishly athletic plays, imagine once he's actually in great position too."

The 23-year-old Cromartie plans to quietly go about his business at his first career Pro Bowl. He says he won't be boasting about his breakout season or his NFL-record 109-yard missed field goal return. He also won't incite debates about whether his dramatic one-handed leaping interception of Peyton Manning was the most impressive defensive play of the season.

He sees Pro Bowl week as a time to learn and improve.

"I'm just going to pick some of the guys' brains," Cromartie said. "That's what I'm going to do, to tell the truth. Just try to learn some of the tricks of the trade so I can be a complete corner."

Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, another member of the AFC squad, did a similar thing when he made his first appearance following the 2005 season. It turned out to be a valuable -- and expensive -- week for Merriman.

"One of the biggest things I learned was how to play all the bills of the old veterans," said Merriman, with a laugh. "I basically paid every bar tab or room tab.

"He'll learn a lot just being out there with all the guys. I still go out there and learn from guys who have been in the league 10-years plus."

Cromartie's 2007 campaign is even more impressive considering his first start didn't come until the nationally televised Nov. 11 Sunday night contest in which he intercepted Manning three times.

Overall, Cromartie scored three touchdowns -- one on an interception and one on a fumble recovery in addition to his missed field-goal return against Minnesota.

He added two more interceptions in the postseason while cementing his new-found stature as one of the league's most talented and exciting players.

"I just played football," Cromartie said. "I went out and had fun every single week, and that's probably the biggest thing for me."

The explanation is simple after a season in which Cromartie made playing the game look easier than it is supposed to look.

"I think it is that easy for him," Castillo said. "Forget about the football side of it. You look at his growth as a leader, as a teammate, as a personality in the locker room, and he's a completely different player. He really is."

Chargers notes

The Chargers will end up with six players in Sunday's Pro Bowl after TE Antonio Gates (dislocated toe) and DT Jamal Williams (ankle) withdrew on Monday. Gates' withdrawal came three days after a team official said he would be playing in the Pro Bowl. ... The Chargers who intend to play in the game are CB Antonio Cromartie, G Kris Dielman, T Marcus McNeill, OLB Shawne Merriman, FB Lorenzo Neal and special teams ace Kassim Osgood. RB LaDainian Tomlinson (knee) withdrew from the game last week.

-- Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.

14 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

BoltDan wrote on Feb 5, 2008 8:07 AM:Good for Cro... he deserves it. Next year will be interesting because QB's will have to stay away from him and that leaves Jammer. Now I have done my share of bagging on old Toast and Jammer but he played his best games ever in the play-offs. IF he can continue that level we may have the best secondary in the league. THAT would then lead to the best D in the league if the run stop continues. Let's all hope and pray Bolt lovers.

cboy wrote on Feb 5, 2008 12:42 PM:I use to think we had a good run d, then when Adrian Peterson broke the ALL-TIME record for most rushing yards in a game against us, now I'm not so sure.
In the AFC Championship game, Maroney was running at will in the 4th Quarter so I don't think our Run D is as good as it once was. I think that's a major weak spot of this defense going into next year.

A Super Chaaga wrote on Feb 5, 2008 1:43 PM:I feel that coaches earn their value to the TEAM & PLAYERS when they are able to make changes/adjustments to the original "game plan" when certain phases of the game are NOT WORKING. I was very disappointed with our 2nd half run defense in the AFC Championship game. The Pats implemented the so called "Jumbo Package" with a double tight end set and just dictated the game from there on. Is our staff of coaches capable of recognizing such & reacting???

Laurie H. wrote on Feb 5, 2008 3:31 PM:Anyone hear any more about the Chargers possibly letting Lorenzo Neal go during the Off-Season?

Blue&Gold4Ever wrote on Feb 5, 2008 3:32 PM:come on chaaga big jamal worked his ... off during the entire game. remember he was playing injured. yeah the pats ran the ball but the chargers held when needed we just needed a little more help on offense. next year will be talking about our own dynasty. yeah you heard first here we have the players, youth and veteran leadership. we have the coaches, Norv and his staff did a hell of job. And as much as the league likes to call charger fans fair weather fans. I dare you to find a more loyal group. Yeah we complain but what fan doesn't.

Bobby wrote on Feb 5, 2008 4:45 PM:Chargers had good enough players on D to not set a NFL rushing record against the Viks. Its coaching, not getting the guys in the right places. There is a dam good reason why Smith's buddy Teddy could not find a coaching job last year! Good thing LT and Merriman took over the team after the first four games or we may of finished 6/10.

tim wrote on Feb 5, 2008 5:43 PM:cromartie will NEVER approach close to 15 interceptions.
Why? He's not good enough? Hogwash. No, it's because he will get the champ bailey treatment of no one ever throwing it his way.
It's the ultimate homage of respect for a CB, but it also doesn't bode well for a record INT year.

JR wrote on Feb 6, 2008 10:49 AM:I don't know that teams will stay away from him. With Jammer's evolution into a shutdown corner, they may go Cro's way. Cro got burned more than Jammer in the playoffs.

Either that or teams just won't pass at all.

kevin wrote on Feb 6, 2008 6:27 PM:Run stuffinf DT & backup RB are the 2 biggest draft needs

Patrick wrote on Feb 7, 2008 7:04 AM:Bobby are you completely clueless. They lost the vikings game because they forgot how to tackle. Had nothing to do with scheme. They flat out got smoked and didn't man up. McCree was flat out embarassing.... which is why he will not be here next year. Teddy did an excellent job with the D we just need some more bulk on the D line and a stouter middle linebacker. Wilhelm played admirably in the spot but look for him to be replaced by the more physical Waters.

scottdee wrote on Feb 7, 2008 1:11 PM:I agree with Patrick on the bad tackling in the Vikes game; Cottrell is a very good coach and my only criticism of him is that he doesn't make in-game adjustments fast enough. For all his pass defense skills, Cromartie has really bad tackling technique and it's evident in every game. Also, if you watch the tape of the Pats game, the reason Faulk was so open for passes was Weddle being out of position. He had a great rookie season but also made rookie mistakes. The secondary will look different (better) next year with D-Flo and McCree gone. Eventually (2-3 yrs), whether he likes it or not, Jammer will get moved to strong safety. DB depth is a priority and I think they will take Reggie Smith or Cro's cousin in the first round, make a trade to get a 3rd rounder and draft an RB. Would like to see them obtain massive Steelers ORT Max Starks in free agency and move Olivea to OG to back up Goff. No good DBs in free agency except maybe Marcus Trufant but he has tackling problems and off-field concerns. Should be an exciting off-season.

BoltDan wrote on Feb 11, 2008 11:22 AM:This is more like it. Let's figure out how to be the best. I hate all the lovers out there that bury their heads in the sand. IF we fans can see it then why not the coaches and AJ??? SO, yes Cro will get more INT's because as pointed out earlier, Jammer is getting better. Let's hope he continues. Cro doesn't tackle as well as Jam but I remember Neon Sanders didn't tackle well but I would take him. I will take the tackleing Jam and the INT Cro everyday.

McCree was horrible and Weddle will improve. That guy is a ball hawk. The biggest problem I saw was Middle LB. Whether you want to admit it or not getting rid of Donnie was bad move by AJ. To say that his leading the team in tackles was a fluke or that is where the D pushed players is assinine. He was and is a great tackler. So yes a free agent or someone will be an improvement over Whilhelm. I remember the paper gushing over weilhelm and saying how good he was...what????

Have to agree with ScottDee a little and say that FLO will not be missed. So who will be the nickle guy to come in???? I like the idea of a huge frree agent O-linemen though. That would be nice. All in all this team is poised and ready to get it but need just a few items... will AJ open up and get those needed players??? Or will we have to hope noone knows or weak player and keep picking him apart. Only time will tell but I have seen AJ bring in guys and then not get a glaring need. We shall see.

RiversRunsThroughIt wrote on Mar 2, 2008 5:31 PM:I really don't want the bolts to take anyone out of free agency because of our own players needing to be signed. Merriman, Rivers, Olshansky, Jackson, Castillo, etc. Getting players from FA is way over priced and we need to save some of that cap space to sign some of our superstars.

Indy wrote on Jun 12, 2008 1:35 PM:As a Colts fan, I have to give credit where it is due. Cro can be one of the best corners in the league in a few years.

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