Few cornerbacks in the league can match Antonio Cromartie’s combination of size, speed and ability to make plays on the ball.
With teammate Darrelle Revis out for the season, it might be why the confident Jets defensive back anointed himself in September as the best corner in the league. Cromartie’s presence on the outside has been a significant concern for the Titans this week as they prepare to face the Jets on Monday Night Football.
“I think what makes him tough is his athletic ability, but also his intelligence in understanding the game,” Jake Locker said. “They’re putting him on the (other) team’s best receiver and he follows them all over the field. He does a good job of understanding the routes that that guy owns. It’s evident that he spends time trying to shut those routes down during the week.”
It's likely Cromartie will spend the majority of his time Monday night defending Kenny Britt. In last week’s 27-23 loss to the Colts, the Titans’ wideout caught eight passes for 143 yards, both season-highs. Britt easily gained separation on vertical routes downfield, as he pulled down two receptions of 46 yards each.
This week, it could be more challenging for Britt to get open on deep routes against Cromartie. Last week, Jags WR Justin Blackmon only had two catches for 19 yards when he was covered by Cromarite, according to Pro Football Focus. The 6-2 corner also blanketed Blackmon on a double-move that resulted in one of Cromartie’s two pass breakups.
“You can’t get off the press to run a double move, especially with a big guy like that that can run,” Britt said. “One thing you have to do is make sure that he doesn’t get his hands on you.”
Britt, who has undergone three knee surgeries over the last 15 months, said he has run better during the last two weeks than at any point throughout the season. The soreness in his knees has limited him on curls and comeback routes. He’s also had trouble periodically when running slants.
“It was really my hardest one catching it with my eyes first, then with my hands,” Britt added. “It was just hard to locate the ball when I came out of my breaks because it came out so fast.”
Britt doesn’t expect that his injured knees will return to 100 percent until next season.
“It’s really hard to accept, especially going out there in practice and watching some of my routes that look sloppy,” Britt said. “The last two, three weeks it feels better with my legs. I’m going out there with more confidence.”
CJ does best Ricky Williams impression: Upon the urgings of RB Jamie Harper, Chris Johnson conducted his weekly interview on Friday while wearing a helmet. Williams suffered from Social anxiety disorder during his 12-year career and often gave interviews while wearing a helmet in his three seasons with the Saints.
“Jamie wanted me to do it all year, so I finally did,” Johnson said. “This is just a one-time thing, just for fun.”
Johnson returned to practice on Friday, one day after he sat out of practice to rest a sore ankle.
“I had a little rest yesterday, but I was back out there today,” Johnson said. “(The way) I felt going through practice, it should be good."
LB McCarthy likely to miss another week: LB Colin McCarthy will likely be sidelined for a third straight week by a concussion he suffered on Nov. 25 at Jacksonville. Coach Mike Munchak has yet to rule McCarthy out for the season.
“He has a lot of years ahead of him, and we’re expecting big things out of him,” Munchak said. “We want our best guys out there, but we’re going to be smart with how we do it.”
WR Damian Williams (hamstring) and DE Scott Solomon (knee) missed practice for the second straight day. Both are likely out vs. the Jets. DE Kamerion Wimbley (toe) was a full participant in practice on Friday
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Tennessee Titans, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSTitans.
