Jets' Antonio Cromartie praises Pats

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who made headlines two years ago when he directed a vulgar jab at Tom Brady, said he's done trash talking.

On Wednesday, he proved it, gushing about Brady and the New England Patriots. Cromartie called them "the new America's Team."

"You can't say they're not," he said. "Everybody talks about New England, no matter if they're winning or losing.

"They're always in the playoffs," Cromartie continued. "Every single year they have a chance to win the Super Bowl. When you have a dynasty team like coach (Bill) Belichick has put together, I mean, they're always going to be talked about. That's why I call them the new America's Team."

The AFC East rivals, both 3-3, meet Sunday in Foxborough. The Jets have dropped the last two meetings, their last victory coming in the 2010 AFC Divisional Playoffs. A few days before the game, Cromartie unloaded on Brady.

"I don't think about what I said two years ago," Cromartie said.

What does he think of Brady now? Cromartie said Brady and Peyton Manning are the two most accurate passers in the league, saying of Brady, "You can't take that away from him. He's been doing a great job. He's a great quarterback."

It should be a fascinating matchup, Brady and Cromartie, who leads the Jets with three interceptions. With Darrelle Revis out for the season, Cromartie has stepped into the No. 1 cornerback role, covering the opponents' top receiver.

Cromartie said he's having his best season as a pro.

He could be a three-way player on Sunday. With kickoff returner Joe McKnight (high-ankle sprain) unlikely to play, Cromartie could step into that role. He also has played a handful of snaps at wide receiver over the last two games.

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Rich Cimini

ESPNNewYork.com

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Rich Cimini, longtime Jets beat writer for the New York Daily News and a Syracuse graduate, covers Gang Green for ESPNNewYork.com.
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