Jets Add Cromartie; Deal Rhodes, Is LT Next?

The Jets started the off season, the same way they ended last season, with a splash. Even though the Jets are only able to replace free agents they lose in this uncapped year, it hasn’t stopped the Jets from making moves.

The Jets began the off season by pairing one of the top cornerbacks in football with a guy who has been at the top of the sport in the past, but enigmatic and let’s say “promiscuous” for the last couple. Dealing a conditional 3 rd round pick for former All-Pro Antonio Cromartie was as much of a sure thing as a woman hoping to get pregnant seeking out Cromartie as a mate. Regardless of how well Cromartie plays in New York, its worth a shot to deal a 3 rd rounder to take a flier on him. Who knows, pairing him with Darrelle Revis and putting him in a situation where he’s playing more man to man could rejuvenate his career. This move could also help to solidify an already stout Jets pass defense if it works out. Lito Sheppard proved to not be worth the draft pick they traded to get him, so making the move for Cromartie seems to be the right thing to do. He played at a Pro Bowl caliber in the past, so if he is able to play up to that level again, the Jets will have the best secondary in the game.

Although the Jets secondary improved by adding a player that seven people call “dad”, they take a hit by losing Kerry Rhodes or the NYJ faithful collectively call him “K-Rho”. It’s a sad day to see him go, but completely understandable. Rhodes’ best days were clearly under the Mangenius. Although most defensive players seem to thrive under Rex Ryan, Rhodes’ play noticeably suffered. He played some good games down the stretch, but this season proved to be the worst in his short NFL career. Simply put, I’m sorry to see Rhodes go. He played great for most of the time he was in New York, but he was just making too much money. The Jets got decent value if not good value for him in 4 th and 7 th round draft picks and have already replaced him with Brodney Pool from Cleveland. The Jets secondary should be as good if not better in 2010, but that’s all based on Revis being as much of a standout as he was in 2009.

> Find New York Jets hats & Merchandise online through Pro Football Fans for all your team gear!

Money may have dictated the Rhodes move, but it was definitely the reason for cutting Thomas Jones. Jones was due a fat bonus and the Jets reluctantly made him expendable. The outstanding play of Shonn Greene in the playoffs and the return of fan favorite and superbeast Leon Washington from a broken leg make the move easier to swallow. Jones played the two best seasons of his career the last two years, so it’s tough to justify the move as anything other than a money saver. To replace Jones the Jets are trying to bring the corpse of LaDanian Tomlinson into their backfield. I don’t know if this move will actually happen. The Jets seem to be aggressively trying to woo him for some reason, but I think he will end up in Minnesota. If he does sign with the Jets however, he would be a great THIRD option at running back.

Overall, the Jets have had a decent off season so far. It’s been so exciting that I was only able to come up with two jokes for this column which were both about Antonio Cromartie having a ton of kids out of wedlock. I already love the Cromartie era. I’ll be back to update again closer to the draft which for some reason is starting at 7:30 eastern/4:30 pacific ON A THURSDAY, or if the Jets make any other move (let’s pray they don’t give a washed up running back a good chunk of change). Good times.

By Daniel Rein
ProFootball-fans.com New York Jets Correspondent