Darrelle Revis is outstanding, but he can't guard everybody.That much and more was evident in the AFC Championship Game, when the Jets lost to the Indianapolis Colts when Peyton Manning used his stable of receives not guarded by Revis to turn a Jets lead into a comfortable Colts win.
This week the Jets took action, trading for Antonio Cromartie and giving San Diego a conditional draft pick in 2011—it will be a third- or second-rounder, depending on Cromartie's playing time. Cromartie is a dynamic player but a controversial one. He has been named in five paternity suits and has a reputation as someone who shies away from tackling. But he was a dynamic talent two years ago, and players who fall out of favor in one city often relish a new chance in a new system. At his best, he'll be a lot better than the Lito Sheppard experiment and probably better than Dwight Lowery, who's now relegated to backup duty.The move will test Rex Ryan's coaching skills, but is Cromartie worth the risk?
As for the Giants, their secondary took a noticeable hit without safety Kenny Phillips, who spent much of last season on injury reserve with knee pain. So they went out and signed Antrel Rolle to a $37 million contract. That makes him the highest-paid safety in NFL history. Will he be worth it? Sure, the thought of Rolle and Phillips on the field at the same time is a nice one, but will Phillips be healthy? Rolle didn't have a great year last season but was named to the Pro Bowl. (The Jets traded Kerry Rhoes to the Cardinals to help Arizona replace Rolle.) The Giants needed a secondary upgrade, but is this the right one?
