Antonio Cromartie possibly on the trading block? (1 Viewer)

[Carver]

Really? I know the dude had a down season in '08, but has Cromartie fell that far out of favor already? The guy looked like a bonafide stud in '07. Gptta be something more to this (if there is any truth to it).

LINK

By Kevin Acee

On his way to a team-record 10 interceptions in 2007, Antonio Cromartie supplanted Drayton Florence as the Chargers' starting right cornerback.

Now their correlation may be coming full circle.

According to league sources, the Chargers plan to put Cromartie on the trading block if they can sign Florence as a free agent.

fter Cromartie's Pro Bowl campaign in '07, Florence was allowed to leave via free agency. He signed a six-year, $36 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. But he was released last month and notified the Chargers through his agent he would like to return. The sides are talking now, and a deal could be in place this week.

Cromartie suffered a serious slide in production in 2008. He injured his hip in the season opener -- which he later called a fracture -- and had just two interceptions. If he is not traded, 2009 is considered a make-or-break year for him with the Chargers.

The departure of Cromartie and arrival of Florence would not necessarily mean Florence would regain his starting job. In fact, it appears more likely Antoine Cason would move into that role.

Contacted Monday, Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith would neither confirm nor deny his plans regarding Cromartie. The player's agent, Gary Wichard, said he had not been notified of any plans the Chargers had to trade Cromartie.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Acee has the pulse of the franchise, so I'm buying it. On the surface, I think it seems incredibly stupid. But long term commitments are coming up for Merriman and Rivers, so perhaps the Bolts aren't sure they'll be able to afford Cro and think they can get value for him now.

 

[Sleeping King]

Acee has the pulse of the franchise, so I'm buying it. On the surface, I think it seems incredibly stupid. But long term commitments are coming up for Merriman and Rivers, so perhaps the Bolts aren't sure they'll be able to afford Cro and think they can get value for him now.

They waited a year too late then. He is still a valuable chip but he had a pretty poor year last season. Still the rumor of bringing Florence in to replace him...kind of ridiculous.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

He is still a valuable chip but he had a pretty poor year last season.

He was an alternate to the Pro Bowl. That means he was better than Philip Rivers. (Actually, what it means is that the Pro Bowl is a joke.)Contracts are expiring for Philip Rivers, Shawne Merriman, Marcus McNeil, and Antonio Cromartie. The Chargers aren't going to be able to re-sign them all.It's pretty much a given that Rivers will be extended. I'd expect that McNeil will be as well.Before last season, the thinking was that the Chargers would re-sign Cro and let Merriman walk. Now those priorities may have been reversed. They may prefer to keep Merriman instead of Cro.We'll see. But I don't think it's possible to keep all of them.

 

[BoltBacker]

We'll see. But I don't think it's possible to keep all of them.

I'm not so sure because QB and OL can be productive into their 30's so a big signing bonus for Rivers/McNeil could be spread over a lot of years making it more cap friendly.With Merriman I would think the best bet would be to put the franchise tag on him for at least a year, maybe two until you know what the situation is with his knee. Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part but I'd like to think they can extend all four when you consider the relative youth of the players involved. Those four players(along with Gates) really is the nucleus of this team moving forward. I don't think it would be easy to replace any of them.

 

[puckalicious]

What kind of draft picks are we talking for Cromartie? I would love to see him in a Lions uni. Not sure that he would though...

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

the guy played all year with a fractured hip, Im guessing he'll rebound nicely.

Cap might prevent resigning him though so I can see it.

Florence? wtf?

 

[tommyGunZ]

Florence? wtf?

Florence played well in SD. He was a highly sought after FA last year and got a huge bonus. Obviously he disappointed in JAX, but why would the Chargers (or their fans) be opposed to signing him to a cheap, 1 year deal giving him the chance to turn it around in a defense he's familiar with? Especially if the Cro rumors are legit - Cason would move into the starting lineup and Florence could play the nickel.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I think Flo might be the fourth CB. But whether he's third or fourth, he's good depth.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Florence? wtf?

Florence played well in SD. He was a highly sought after FA last year and got a huge bonus. Obviously he disappointed in JAX, but why would the Chargers (or their fans) be opposed to signing him to a cheap, 1 year deal giving him the chance to turn it around in a defense he's familiar with? Especially if the Cro rumors are legit - Cason would move into the starting lineup and Florence could play the nickel.

He did play well here I liked him. But I wouldnt want him over Cro

 

[mggoilers]

They can't afford to keep a franchise QB, pass rushing DE/LB, and franchise CB.

Chargers usually like to get ahead of these guys, and sign them early in their contracts. Guess that did not work in Cromartie's case.

The line for Cromartie should be pretty long.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I think Flo might be the fourth CB. But whether he's third or fourth, he's good depth.

Agreed. I guess you're high on Cletis?

 

[Gr00vus]

Cason would move into the starting lineup and Florence could play the nickel.

This.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Smith: Cro staying

By Kevin Acee

Posted: 12:18 p.m. Tuesday March 3, 2009

Even if Drayton Florence returns to the Chargers, Antonio Cromartie won't be leaving.

So says Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith.

League sources had said the Chargers were quietly floating the idea of putting Cromartie on the block if they signed Florence.

"He's not being traded," Smith said today.

Asked Monday about the idea of trading Cromartie, Smith declined to confirm or deny the possibility.

 

[Gr00vus]

Smith: Cro stayingBy Kevin AceePosted: 12:18 p.m. Tuesday March 3, 2009Even if Drayton Florence returns to the Chargers, Antonio Cromartie won't be leaving.So says Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith.League sources had said the Chargers were quietly floating the idea of putting Cromartie on the block if they signed Florence."He's not being traded," Smith said today.Asked Monday about the idea of trading Cromartie, Smith declined to confirm or deny the possibility.

That rumor made no sense to me. Glad to see A.J. kill it.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Glad to see Cro will be here this year. As short sighted as it may be - I generally take long term views - win the ####### Super Bowl and deal with the crazy contracts that come with that kind of success afterward. If Merriman's healthy, this should be the year.

 

[Gr00vus]

Glad to see Cro will be here this year. As short sighted as it may be - I generally take long term views - win the ####### Super Bowl and deal with the crazy contracts that come with that kind of success afterward. If Merriman's healthy, this should be the year.

Should be? Could be - assuming they find a starting SS, staring ILB, starting DE, starting RG and RT, starting tailback -AND all the guys who ended the year hurt recover to near 100%. Can Antonio Gates walk without a limp yet?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Glad to see Cro will be here this year. As short sighted as it may be - I generally take long term views - win the ####### Super Bowl and deal with the crazy contracts that come with that kind of success afterward. If Merriman's healthy, this should be the year.

Should be? Could be - assuming they find a starting SS, staring ILB, starting DE, starting RG and RT, starting tailback -AND all the guys who ended the year hurt recover to near 100%. Can Antonio Gates walk without a limp yet?

sadly the 14-2 team was the best shot, they had it in their hands but McCree didnt knock it down.This season - road games at NYG,Pitt,Tenn,Dallas. not to mention Philly, Wash,Baltimore and Miami in SD. If Brady is healthy and Pitt is hungry not to mention Indy owes us big in the playoffs. We need HFA vs. Pitt or NE to win IMO.