Antonio Cromartie Q&A
Regarded as one of the nation's top cornerbacks. He is blessed with the perfect combination of size, strength and speed that had the Florida State staff calling him the finest athlete in the program since the Deion Sanders era. In addition to displaying his explosive quickness on the gridiron, Cromartie also showed off his speed as a member of the school’s 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference championship track team. The following is a Q&A with cornerback Antonio Cromartie:
On being a Charger:
“I’m very happy. Words right now can’t explain how happy I am just to be a Charger.”
On his visit to San Diego before being drafted:
“That was very exciting. I got to talk to Coach (Brian) Stewart a lot. We sat around and talked about football and just life in general. That was one of the best visits I probably took because we got to know each other a little more while I was out there in San Diego.”
On not playing last year:
“My game is just as good as anybody in the draft now. I got the mental part down just from this past season, being more of a coach this past season instead of a player … just had to sit back and watch a lot more film. I knew what was going on in games, so my mental standpoint of the game has gotten a lot better.”
On coming out early after not playing at all last year:
“The reason I came out early this season is because I had family problems back at home. I was having financial problems and I felt like the best thing for me was to come out and support my family … me being the man of the house.”
On mom’s health:
“Basically, it was something dealing with breast cancer. I found out while I was down in Miami and I felt like for me it was the best thing to come out because the medical bills were probably going to be building up. Also my grandmother … she had surgery two months before I declared for the draft. Her medical bill was also building up. I felt like it was my responsibility to take care of her. “
On having something to prove:
“I come into any season with a chip on my shoulder. For me, I just want to prove everybody wrong. “
On Deion Sanders comparisons:
“It’s a great compliment. Deion Sanders is one of the best, if not the best corner in the draft. He’s just a great person. Being compared to him is a good thing. Our game style may be a little bit different. I probably tackle a little more than he did. That’s probably the difference between me and him.”
Could you still play receiver?
“Yes, I still can play receiver. I have the hands to play receiver … the speed … my route running is not bad.”
On talks with A.J. Smith and Marty Schottenheimer:
“They just told me ‘was I ready to be a Charger?’ ‘Was I ready to come in and work?’ I’m looking forward to being on the practice field with the guys in San Diego and just working hard, and try to win a Super Bowl.”
On being guaranteed a starting position:
“No, sir. I haven’t been guaranteed that; I have to work for it. That’s what I’m looking forward to coming in and doing ... working hard in everything that I do, from film study to just being on the practice field working out everyday.”
On starting by the end of the year:
“That is my goal. My goal is to be starting by the end of the season or before the end of the season. Yes, sir, that is my goal for this year.”
On being surprised he was not the first corner picked:
“I wasn’t surprised. I know there were a lot of teams out there taking a risk on my knee, so I was going to be the second or the third corner taken in the draft. “
On the Chargers gambling by picking him:
“No, sir. I don’t think they gambled at all. I’m 100 percent and I’m just ready to get to work.”
On how he hurt his knee:
“I jumped in the air, it was a one-on-one voluntary workout, came down wrong … hyper-extended my knee, tore my ACL.”
What your grandmother’s name?
“Glenora Gardner.”
Where do you live?
“We all stay in Tallahassee.”
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Comments
Sounds like a great kid. I think this is a risky pick but it could pay off big.
Dean (April 29, 2006 05:20 PM)
I gree with Dean. With his size, speed, and hands, he could also play some WR.
Steve (April 29, 2006 06:19 PM)
AJ must have fallen out of the same tree as Kieth Richards. This guy has played all of ONE football game in the last 3 or 4 years, and he makes him his # 1 pick. I'm sure Drew is very happy he is not in the Big EAsy.
Bill Sandyeggo (April 29, 2006 07:25 PM)
Drew had it real Breezy here with all this talent. New Orleans pocket is anywhere he doesnt want to be. Bush or not!
Damian (April 29, 2006 08:01 PM)
Antonio is gonna be the best Corner in the NFL. Why? Not just talent but attitude, he'll showboat and put people in seats. Maybe not Primetime but not far from him. GO CHARGERS!! Best Corner in the draft hands down.
A.j Elahi (April 29, 2006 08:50 PM)
No Bill, he played in all 13 games his first year and all 12 in his second.
get your facts straight.
Zepeda (April 29, 2006 09:22 PM)
All three kids we picked today have great attitudes. I think Cromartie will push our under productive secondary and might see everyone play better. Good additions.
sunny (April 30, 2006 07:10 AM)
I hope this guy Cromartie is a quick learner, We could have tooked the USE lineman winston and got Cromartie in the second round. We also should have taken a WR with the 3rd round pick. Why would we trade for the rams te.
We got gates and the great
free agent pick arron shea
bill kaylor (April 30, 2006 09:38 AM)
Multi-talented. Has the size,speed & athletic abilty. Can play WR & return kickoffs. Can't wait to see him develop into an elite shutdown corner!
TDSD (April 30, 2006 11:16 AM)
Any draft has it's risk's. Antonio & Mcneil are great athletes and if the bolts didn't get them then the pesky cheifs who were next would have gotten Antonio. Can't wait for training camp.
Light's Out (April 30, 2006 07:34 PM)
I always knew antonio would be a great athlete from seeing him play in high school while i was in school in tallahasse, but to be a first rounder i am very proud of the young man. Congratulations and i guess i am now a Charger fan... Good bless him and his family.
radjones (April 30, 2006 08:54 PM)
It seemed like every mock draft on the planet had this guy coming to San Diego. This smells like a Bobby Beathard pick to me but AJ found Gates so I hope this works out too. If it does work out well then AJ is a geneous (again). If it doesn't then we keep looking for what we haven't found next year. Go Bolts!
ihatetheraiders (April 30, 2006 09:30 PM)
yea, I definately think the right choice has been made by the chargers, you have an offensive and defensive palyer in one, take your pick 1st rd. 19th. I think you got a great deal
tyrone cromartie (May 2, 2006 01:53 PM)
Manumaleuna, Rams TE, is 6'2" and nearly 300 lbs. He's more of a sixth offensive lineman that can catch. Just think, bill kaylor, double TE sets with LT running all day.
Laski (May 3, 2006 07:27 PM)
I just hope this is the last time we pick a corner in the first round in a while. Getting like the Lions and the WRs. Go Bolts!!
James Carter (May 4, 2006 09:11 AM)
I hope this guy turns into something special. The Chargers have had horrible luck with the corners they have taken number one. Jammer to me is a bust! He has way underachieved during his 4 years in SD. Nowhere near the as advertised "shutdown" corner he was supposed to be when drafted #5 overall. He either gets beat deep or gives up pass interference. Either way the result is the same. Sammie Davis could not cover my grandma. Thankfully he'll be getting burned for SF now. If Cromartie can be even half ****** he will be an upgrade.
Chargerfan4ever (May 11, 2006 02:23 PM)
I was at the 1963 AFL Championship game at Balboa Stadium, I was 5 years old. What a great team! I think Our Charger Team this year will be something special. What a Defence we are going to have! I look for Cromartie
to be the Rookie of the year on Defence, like Merriman last year. We will also see vast improvment from Jammer this year. This is our year Bolt fans!!!
Bob "Charger" Stroh (May 20, 2006 08:29 PM)
Welcome Antonio and Family to The Chargers Family ! I as a Chargers Fan am Very Excited About You Coming to The Chargers ! and I am impressd with How You Have handled Yourself. Your Story Touchd Me about The Srength oF Your Family ! My Prayers Go Out To Your Mom ! When You Have a Example Like Your Mom it is no Wonder You Have the Drive and Talent You Have ! The Chargers Staff Did The Smart and Right Thing To Draft You ! I am thankfull They Did ! Sincerly JD Jim Davis
JD Jim Davis (May 28, 2006 04:11 PM)
Now Antonio is a good CB and it is a shame he is not the lead CB but, in the interveiw he stated “Yes, I still can play receiver. I have the hands to play receiver … the speed … my route running is not bad.”
I don't know about him playing receiver. So this is my suggedtion i think they should but him in as a reciver during a game that they are up by at least 21 points and see how he carries himself out on the feild. Otherwise he is a great CB and will do good for the Chargers.
Ben (November 7, 2006 02:35 PM)