Mecca
04-19-2006, 04:52 AM
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/draft/2006-04-17-usat-defensive-backs-cromartie_x.htm
By Skip Wood, USA TODAY
It's difficult, if not altogether ridiculous, to make a case that cornerback Antonio Cromartie was a gamble when he signed with Florida State three years ago. After all, we're talking about a lad who was named USA TODAY's national defensive player of the year his final season at Tallahassee's Lincoln High.
Even so, Seminoles coaches had a wee bit of concern. Listen to longtime FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews: "When we signed him, he weighed maybe 175 pounds —maybe. And when he got here, he was maybe 185 pounds —maybe."
But immediately after arriving on campus, Cromartie did everything and anything requested of him.
"Weights, running, overall conditioning — everything," Andrews said. "Not just because he had to, but because he really and truly wanted to do whatever it took to make himself better. He understood, you know? Some guys get it and some guys don't."
And now? Cromartie packs 210 pounds on his 6-3 frame, and despite missing all of last season with a serious knee injury, is among the more notable cornerbacks available in next weekend's NFL Draft.
"I don't see anything but great things ahead for him because of his talent but also his great attitude," Andrews said. "I think this is a guy who's got 'can't miss' stamped all over him."
Cromartie simply wants to get back on the field.
"I feel like I don't have any pressure on me right now," he said. "Just go out and do what I've always done, and that's just play football."
He didn't do any of that last season, though. The summer after being named a first-team, All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick, he tore the ACL in his left knee during a voluntary workout.
"I ... was going up for an interception," Cromartie said, "and I came down wrong."
But the surgery and subsequent rehabilitation process went about as well as could be imagined. Meanwhile, however, family financial problems and other medical issues began to weigh on Cromartie, and that's the primary reason he decided to forfeit his final two years of eligibility.
"For me, when I grew up, I was always in the projects," he said. "So it was money — it was always a problem for us familywise. But I feel like (now that) I'm taking on this opportunity now, we won't have any financial problems for the rest of our lives."
That wouldn't surprise NFL Draft expert Gil Brandt.
"He's a Deion Sanders-type athlete," Brandt said, referring to another former Seminole. "It seems like this guy can do everything, just like Deion did."
Andrews, who coached both players, chuckled when told of Brandt's assessment.
"Well, I guess I'd have to say the same thing," he said. "And I'll tell you, I'm not so sure he couldn't be a receiver."
Had Cromartie remained at FSU, that might have been something for head coach Bobby Bowden to ponder.
As it is, Andrews is left to ponder something else — and not necessarily what one might assume.
"To me, the worst thing is not losing a great player," he said. "When a kid leaves early, well, some come back and some don't (to complete their degree). That's just the way it goes. And with a player like Cro', well, you don't normally see too many millionaires in the classroom taking notes."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Teams in need: Bears, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Chargers, Chiefs, Colts, Falcons, 49ers, Lions, Saints, Seahawks, Vikings
Insider's take: "He's a risk because of his knee, but he's a high-reward guy. Unbelievably good hands. The guy just has a knack for making plays." - Gil Brandt, NFL draft expert and former Dallas Cowboys personnel chief, on Antonio Cromartie
Prospect's view: "I feel like I don't have any pressure on me right now -- just go out and do what I've always done, and that's just play football." - Antonio Cromartie
Stats and stuff: Ran a 4.37 in the 40 during his pro-day workout. Before missing his junior season at Florida State with an injured left knee (ACL), he already had established himself as one of the nation's better playmakers. He had four interceptions as a sophomore, returned 19 kickoffs for 435 yards and was a first-team All-ACC selection.
Last year's gem: Ellis Hobbs, New England Patriots. Despite beginning the season in the shadow of such first-rounders as Adam "Pacman" Jones, Antrel Rolle and Carlos Rogers, the third-round pick (84th choice overall) had three interceptions and started the Pats' final eight games.
Cream of the crop: Antonio Cromartie (Florida State), Tye Hill (Clemson), Jonathan Joseph (South Carolina), Jimmy Williams (Virginia Tech)
By Skip Wood, USA TODAY
It's difficult, if not altogether ridiculous, to make a case that cornerback Antonio Cromartie was a gamble when he signed with Florida State three years ago. After all, we're talking about a lad who was named USA TODAY's national defensive player of the year his final season at Tallahassee's Lincoln High.
Even so, Seminoles coaches had a wee bit of concern. Listen to longtime FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews: "When we signed him, he weighed maybe 175 pounds —maybe. And when he got here, he was maybe 185 pounds —maybe."
But immediately after arriving on campus, Cromartie did everything and anything requested of him.
"Weights, running, overall conditioning — everything," Andrews said. "Not just because he had to, but because he really and truly wanted to do whatever it took to make himself better. He understood, you know? Some guys get it and some guys don't."
And now? Cromartie packs 210 pounds on his 6-3 frame, and despite missing all of last season with a serious knee injury, is among the more notable cornerbacks available in next weekend's NFL Draft.
"I don't see anything but great things ahead for him because of his talent but also his great attitude," Andrews said. "I think this is a guy who's got 'can't miss' stamped all over him."
Cromartie simply wants to get back on the field.
"I feel like I don't have any pressure on me right now," he said. "Just go out and do what I've always done, and that's just play football."
He didn't do any of that last season, though. The summer after being named a first-team, All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick, he tore the ACL in his left knee during a voluntary workout.
"I ... was going up for an interception," Cromartie said, "and I came down wrong."
But the surgery and subsequent rehabilitation process went about as well as could be imagined. Meanwhile, however, family financial problems and other medical issues began to weigh on Cromartie, and that's the primary reason he decided to forfeit his final two years of eligibility.
"For me, when I grew up, I was always in the projects," he said. "So it was money — it was always a problem for us familywise. But I feel like (now that) I'm taking on this opportunity now, we won't have any financial problems for the rest of our lives."
That wouldn't surprise NFL Draft expert Gil Brandt.
"He's a Deion Sanders-type athlete," Brandt said, referring to another former Seminole. "It seems like this guy can do everything, just like Deion did."
Andrews, who coached both players, chuckled when told of Brandt's assessment.
"Well, I guess I'd have to say the same thing," he said. "And I'll tell you, I'm not so sure he couldn't be a receiver."
Had Cromartie remained at FSU, that might have been something for head coach Bobby Bowden to ponder.
As it is, Andrews is left to ponder something else — and not necessarily what one might assume.
"To me, the worst thing is not losing a great player," he said. "When a kid leaves early, well, some come back and some don't (to complete their degree). That's just the way it goes. And with a player like Cro', well, you don't normally see too many millionaires in the classroom taking notes."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Teams in need: Bears, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Chargers, Chiefs, Colts, Falcons, 49ers, Lions, Saints, Seahawks, Vikings
Insider's take: "He's a risk because of his knee, but he's a high-reward guy. Unbelievably good hands. The guy just has a knack for making plays." - Gil Brandt, NFL draft expert and former Dallas Cowboys personnel chief, on Antonio Cromartie
Prospect's view: "I feel like I don't have any pressure on me right now -- just go out and do what I've always done, and that's just play football." - Antonio Cromartie
Stats and stuff: Ran a 4.37 in the 40 during his pro-day workout. Before missing his junior season at Florida State with an injured left knee (ACL), he already had established himself as one of the nation's better playmakers. He had four interceptions as a sophomore, returned 19 kickoffs for 435 yards and was a first-team All-ACC selection.
Last year's gem: Ellis Hobbs, New England Patriots. Despite beginning the season in the shadow of such first-rounders as Adam "Pacman" Jones, Antrel Rolle and Carlos Rogers, the third-round pick (84th choice overall) had three interceptions and started the Pats' final eight games.
Cream of the crop: Antonio Cromartie (Florida State), Tye Hill (Clemson), Jonathan Joseph (South Carolina), Jimmy Williams (Virginia Tech)