AFC West: Antonio Cason
A key player to watch in Week 8 for each AFC West team:
Denver: J.D. Walton, center: The Broncos' second-year center will have his hands full with the Lions’ aggressive defensive line Sunday. Detroit’s pressure begins with Ndamukong Suh. He’ll be coming after Tim Tebow, and Walton will have to set the tone. Tebow was dropped seven times in Miami, so Walton and crew will have to improve quickly.
Kansas City: Brandon Flowers, cornerback: Flowers had a terrific game at Oakland in Week 7. He had two interceptions, including one for a touchdown. The Chargers’ passing game is coming off a shaky performance at the Jets in Week 7. Philip Rivers will be looking to get back on track Monday night at Kansas City, so Flowers will be in the spotlight again.
San Diego: Antoine Cason, cornerback: Cason struggled against the Jets’ Plaxico Burress on Sunday as he gave upon three touchdowns to Burress. The Chiefs’ passing offense has been coming on strong, so I’m sure Cason will be challenged again Monday night. He needs to answer the challenge.
Oakland is on a bye.
Denver: J.D. Walton, center: The Broncos' second-year center will have his hands full with the Lions’ aggressive defensive line Sunday. Detroit’s pressure begins with Ndamukong Suh. He’ll be coming after Tim Tebow, and Walton will have to set the tone. Tebow was dropped seven times in Miami, so Walton and crew will have to improve quickly.
Kansas City: Brandon Flowers, cornerback: Flowers had a terrific game at Oakland in Week 7. He had two interceptions, including one for a touchdown. The Chargers’ passing game is coming off a shaky performance at the Jets in Week 7. Philip Rivers will be looking to get back on track Monday night at Kansas City, so Flowers will be in the spotlight again.
San Diego: Antoine Cason, cornerback: Cason struggled against the Jets’ Plaxico Burress on Sunday as he gave upon three touchdowns to Burress. The Chiefs’ passing offense has been coming on strong, so I’m sure Cason will be challenged again Monday night. He needs to answer the challenge.
Oakland is on a bye.
We continue our AFC West position-by-position rankings with the secondary. It is an outstanding group and is one of the strongest in the division:
1. Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland: He is a treat to watch. He’s simply a master of his art.
2. Champ Bailey, Denver: Bailey should be a shoo-in, first-ballot hall of famer. He’s brilliant. The only reason why Asomugha is listed higher than Bailey is that Bailey will be 32 this season and Asomugha will be 29.
3. Brian Dawkins, Denver: He’s still at the top of his game at the age of 36. Another hall of famer.
4. Quentin Jammer, San Diego: He gets lost because of Asomugha and Bailey. But Jammer is a shut-down corner himself. He’s the quiet leader of a good secondary.
5. Brandon Flowers, Kansas City: You may not know much about this third-year player. But you will. Flowers is outstanding.
6. Tyvon Branch, Oakland: This is another third-year standout. Branch broke out last year with 124 tackles.
7. Eric Weddle, San Diego: He is another fine safety. Weddle gets better each year. He’s a big-league playmaker.
8. Eric Berry, Kansas City: I wouldn’t be surprised if Berry was in the top four next year. The No. 5 overall draft pick is a star waiting to happen.
9. Andre Goodman, Denver: Goodman is an underrated player. He fits in with Denver’s veteran unit.
10. Renaldo Hill, Denver: The same goes for Hill. He’s not a special player, but he’s a fine pro.
11. Antoine Cason, San Diego: This is a big year for the Chargers’ No. 1 pick in 2008. He is taking over for the traded Antonio Cromartie. I think Cason will become steadier and more reliable than Cromartie in a hurry.
12. Brandon Carr, Kansas City: Carr is a big reason why the Chiefs are so excited about their secondary. He’s a feisty No. 2 corner.
13. Michael Huff, Oakland: Huff tried to salvage his career last year. The No. 7 overall pick in 2007 is OK, but far from special.
14. Steve Gregory, San Diego: He always seems to help the Chargers when they need it. Gregory has limitations, but he can contribute.
15. Chris Johnson, Oakland: Johnson is the type of player who teams try to replace, but he’s a steady pro.
16. Alphonso Smith, Denver: The Broncos gave up their 2010 first-round pick to draft him in 2009. After a disappointing rookie season, Smith looks to have a huge year and will get a chance to shine as Denver’s nickel cornerback.
17. Javier Arenas, Kansas City: I’m excited to see this second-round pick play. I think he’ll be a playmaker.
18. Darrell Stuckey, San Diego: The Chargers like their fourth-round pick. He has a chance to start.
1. Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland: He is a treat to watch. He’s simply a master of his art.
2. Champ Bailey, Denver: Bailey should be a shoo-in, first-ballot hall of famer. He’s brilliant. The only reason why Asomugha is listed higher than Bailey is that Bailey will be 32 this season and Asomugha will be 29.
3. Brian Dawkins, Denver: He’s still at the top of his game at the age of 36. Another hall of famer.
4. Quentin Jammer, San Diego: He gets lost because of Asomugha and Bailey. But Jammer is a shut-down corner himself. He’s the quiet leader of a good secondary.
5. Brandon Flowers, Kansas City: You may not know much about this third-year player. But you will. Flowers is outstanding.
6. Tyvon Branch, Oakland: This is another third-year standout. Branch broke out last year with 124 tackles.
7. Eric Weddle, San Diego: He is another fine safety. Weddle gets better each year. He’s a big-league playmaker.
8. Eric Berry, Kansas City: I wouldn’t be surprised if Berry was in the top four next year. The No. 5 overall draft pick is a star waiting to happen.
9. Andre Goodman, Denver: Goodman is an underrated player. He fits in with Denver’s veteran unit.
10. Renaldo Hill, Denver: The same goes for Hill. He’s not a special player, but he’s a fine pro.
11. Antoine Cason, San Diego: This is a big year for the Chargers’ No. 1 pick in 2008. He is taking over for the traded Antonio Cromartie. I think Cason will become steadier and more reliable than Cromartie in a hurry.
12. Brandon Carr, Kansas City: Carr is a big reason why the Chiefs are so excited about their secondary. He’s a feisty No. 2 corner.
13. Michael Huff, Oakland: Huff tried to salvage his career last year. The No. 7 overall pick in 2007 is OK, but far from special.
14. Steve Gregory, San Diego: He always seems to help the Chargers when they need it. Gregory has limitations, but he can contribute.
15. Chris Johnson, Oakland: Johnson is the type of player who teams try to replace, but he’s a steady pro.
16. Alphonso Smith, Denver: The Broncos gave up their 2010 first-round pick to draft him in 2009. After a disappointing rookie season, Smith looks to have a huge year and will get a chance to shine as Denver’s nickel cornerback.
17. Javier Arenas, Kansas City: I’m excited to see this second-round pick play. I think he’ll be a playmaker.
18. Darrell Stuckey, San Diego: The Chargers like their fourth-round pick. He has a chance to start.
Chargers get good value for Cromartie
March, 4, 2010
3/04/10
11:50
PM ET
By
Bill Williamson | ESPN.com
Antonio Cromartie’s last mistake as a San Diego Charger was against the New York Jets.
Now, Cromartie is a Jet. Good luck getting this guy to tackle, Rex Ryan.
One of the final straws for San Diego with Cromartie came in the AFC divisional playoffs against the Jets when Cromartie simply stopped pursuing New York running back Shon Greene at the line of scrimmage. Greene went on to score on a long touchdown that proved to be the game winner in the Jets’ 17-14 upset win.
He has been on the trade market all offseason. San Diego will get a third-round pick in 2011 that can increase to a second-round pick based on playing time. If Cromartie starts as expected, this should become a very good pick.
This is a good deal for San Diego. The Chargers were done with Cromartie and they could have cut him if they couldn’t trade him.
San Diego won’t miss him. Cromartie is an overrated player. He burst onto the NFL scene with 10 interceptions in 2007. However, he’s had a total of five interceptions the two seasons combined since.
He is a major liability in run support and he has had issues in the locker room.
San Diego will now move on and start 2008 top-pick Antoine Cason opposite Quentin Jammer at cornerback. Cason is ball hawk, who is growing into his own.
San Diego will not be hurt by this trade as it moves away from the Cromartie era.
Now, Cromartie is a Jet. Good luck getting this guy to tackle, Rex Ryan.
One of the final straws for San Diego with Cromartie came in the AFC divisional playoffs against the Jets when Cromartie simply stopped pursuing New York running back Shon Greene at the line of scrimmage. Greene went on to score on a long touchdown that proved to be the game winner in the Jets’ 17-14 upset win.
He has been on the trade market all offseason. San Diego will get a third-round pick in 2011 that can increase to a second-round pick based on playing time. If Cromartie starts as expected, this should become a very good pick.
This is a good deal for San Diego. The Chargers were done with Cromartie and they could have cut him if they couldn’t trade him.
San Diego won’t miss him. Cromartie is an overrated player. He burst onto the NFL scene with 10 interceptions in 2007. However, he’s had a total of five interceptions the two seasons combined since.
He is a major liability in run support and he has had issues in the locker room.
San Diego will now move on and start 2008 top-pick Antoine Cason opposite Quentin Jammer at cornerback. Cason is ball hawk, who is growing into his own.
San Diego will not be hurt by this trade as it moves away from the Cromartie era.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Bill Williamson
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
