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Cromartie Gives Chargers A Jolt

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 4, 2007

Updated: 12/04/2007 12:22 am

Antonio Cromartie's next act of larceny may be the theft of an AFC Pro Bowl spot.

With San Diego's struggling defense needing a spark, the former FSU standout was inserted into the starting lineup against Indianapolis on Nov. 11 and Cromartie responded with three first-half interceptions against Peyton Manning.

The Chargers barely held on for a memorable victory that Sunday night and Cromartie hasn't stopped stealing footballs away from quarterbacks who are just starting to realize the unique talent packaged inside a 6-foot-2, 203-pound frame.

"He's probably one of the most physical specimens I've been around in a long time," teammate Shawne Merriman said Sunday after Cromartie picked off two Damon Huard passes in a 24-10 victory at Kansas City. "The guy has great ball skills. He's a good football player, but he will be a great one if he keeps it up like he's going."

Cromartie, who missed the 2005 season for the Seminoles after hurting his knee, now has eight interceptions on the season, one off the franchise mark set by Charlie McNeal in 1961.

He declared early for the 2006 draft and was selected 19th overall, but Cromartie played sparingly as a rookie and didn't register an interception.

"I have a goal every single year to catch 10 interceptions," he said. "I'm not surprising myself and my goal is to have a bigger game. They're attacking me when they can and my job is to be ready."

Since that star turn against Manning on national television, Cromartie has led San Diego's impressive defensive charge.

The Chargers are 3-1 with Cromartie as a starter and it doesn't hurt his cause when the pass rush can generate eight sacks against the Chiefs as San Diego improved to 7-5, opening up a two-game lead atop the surprisingly weak AFC West.

"He's one of those guys that have a knack for making a play," said Pro Bowl TE Antonio Gates. "There's a difference between a guy that can play and start and guys that make plays and have great ball skills. That's kind of how Cromartie is."

Cromartie's emergence has provided San Diego with another dynamic defensive playmaker to complement Merriman, who terrorized the Chiefs with three sacks and a fumble recovery.

After the Chargers head to Nashville for a difficult matchup, the regular season closes in favorable fashion with games against the Lions, Broncos and Raiders.

After all of Norv Turner's early-season misery, San Diego is likely to earn the AFC's No. 4 seed and boast some momentum heading into a first-round home playoff game.

And a confident young man from Tallahassee is leading the charge.

HUDDLE UP: The Lions have done a masterful job creating takeaways this season, but defensive coordinator Joe Barry simply can't plug all the leaks. Detroit must add at least two dynamic defensive players to be taken seriously in 2008 and a woeful secondary needs an overhaul. ... Even without Marvin Harrison, the Colts converted 10 of 13 third downs against the Jaguars. Reggie Wayne has stepped up in Harrison's absence and he'll be Manning's favorite postseason target, even if Harrison recovers from that lingering knee injury. ... The Panthers finally won a home game, but Carolina fans are keeping it in perspective: beating the punchless 49ers is no claim to fame. ... No offensive line in the league is playing better than Minnesota's front, anchored by Steve Hutchinson and Bryant McKinnie on the left side. ... Since Seattle's season was on the brink a month ago, Coach Mike Holmgren has done a nice job keeping things together. The Seahawks face Arizona, Carolina, Baltimore and Atlanta the rest of the way, with a good chance to finish 12-4.

The Broncos wasted a huge effort by LB D.J. Williams, who posted 16 tackles and a fumble recovery at Oakland. While former defensive coordinator Larry Coyer is flourishing as Tampa Bay's crusty line coach, Denver can't stop the run when it counts. ... The Eagles have a big problem - the more A.J. Feeley plays, the better Donovan McNabb looks. ... The star-crossed Bears managed to lose to the Giants at home, despite winning the turnover battle 4-0. ... Jon Gruden may have just turned in his best effort in six seasons as Tampa Bay's signal caller. ... Arizona's defense seems to play a lot bigger out in the desert and the Cardinals finish with the Falcons and Rams at home. ... Rookie LT Joe Thomas, who has a chance to be great, is a key reason the Browns are averaging 28 points per game. ... Rookie coach Lane Kiffin wouldn't let the Raiders quit following a six-game losing streak. Monte Kiffin is justifiably proud of a son who has shown personal toughness while restoring a measure of Raider pride.

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