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New York Jets Rumors: Antonio Cromartie Wants To Play For Dallas Cowboys?

By Kenneth Teape

August 11, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive back Antonio Cromartie (31) during practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
August 11, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive back Antonio Cromartie (31) during practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Jets rumors recently have revolved around quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s continued contract discussions with the Jets. There have also been some popping up about Muhammad Wilkerson, as the Jets continue to shop him around leading up to the NFL Draft next week. But, this is the first we have heard about Antonio Cromartie.

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Cromartie signed with the Jets last season after spending one season with the Arizona Cardinals. With the Cardinals, Cromartie’s defensive coordinator was Todd Bowles, whom the Jets hired last offseason to be their head coach. As a free agent, Cromartie followed him to the Jets, returning after a one-year hiatus; Cromartie played with the Jets from 2010-2013.

Cromartie was one of many players signed in the secondary to help what became a depleted unit in the final years under Rex Ryan. Along with Cromartie, the Jets brought back Darrelle Revis, also adding Buster Skrine and Marcus Gilchrist at safety.

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While the results were mixed overall, one thing that was definitive was that Cromartie was not the same player he was when he left the Jets. Cromartie struggled throughout the season, recording only 29 tackles and failing to record an interception for the first time since his rookie season with the San Diego Chargers in 2006.

He also graded out as one of the worst cornerbacks in the league last season according to Pro Football Focus, making it an easy decision for the Jets to release him as he had no guarnateed money for this upcoming season.

Since the Jets released him just about two months ago, Cromartie has met a cold market. At 32-years old and coming off a poor 21015, it should be no surprise that Cromartie has been met with crickets thus far on the open market.

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In late February there was a report that Cromartie was willing to return to the Jets, but with how cash strapped they are that has not come to fruition. There were also rumors about a meeting with the Buffalo Bills and former head coach Rex Ryan, but that was a rumor that Cromartie himself shut down.

With no market to speak of, Cromartie is trying to generate one for himself. If it was up to Cromartie, he would join the Dallas Cowboys, saying, “My dream choice? That’d be the Dallas Cowboys. That’s very high on my list.”

The Cowboys have done nothing to upgrade their dire cornerback situation this offseason, so a fit could be made. They have the underachieving Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick and first round bust Morris Claiborne currently atop their depth chart.

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There is no guarantee that Cromartie would be better than any of those three, but he could be someone the Cowboys kick the tires on at some point. Just because Cromartie has the Cowboys high on his list, does not necessarily mean that he is high on theirs. Expect Cromartie to have to wait until after the draft to find a team to sign with as a team that misses out on a draft target could turn their attention to the 10-year veteran.

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