Antonio Cromartie is still listed as a cornerback, and not a wide receiver. But Cromartie says that if the Jets go through with plans to give him an extensive role in the offense, he’ll be the second-best receiver on the team.
Cromartie said today on ESPN First Take that if he has to rank himself within the Jets’ receiving corps, he’d say he’s the No. 2 option on the team.
“I think I’d put myself as second,” Cromartie said. “I haven’t really played it in the past four or five years, but I can put myself as the second just with raw ability and talent going out there, I think, me separating and being a more physical guy out there on the outside.”
Santonio Holmes is the Jets’ No. 1 receiver, but Cromartie apparently thinks he’s better than the team’s other receivers, including Chaz Schilens, Jeremy Kerley and Stephen Hill.
“Kerley is a more of a slot receiver, he’s a slot guy,” Cromartie said. “Stephen Hill is a younger guy that can get down the field. I think, for me, I can run every single route in the route tree. I’m not going to take anything away from my ability, so when you ask me that question, I’m going to say, yes, I believe I’m one of the best receivers on the football team, next to Santonio Holmes.”
Jets preseason games will be interesting to watch this year, not just to keep tabs on Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow, but to see whether Cromartie gets some opportunities on offense to back up his high opinion of himself.