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Shutdown Corner

Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:11 pm EST

Antonio Cromartie played the season with a broken hip

By MJD

San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie was not very good in 2008. After his 10-interception sophomore season, a lot was expected of Cromartie in his second year as a starter, but he didn't produce. That is, unless you file soul-killing pass interference penalties under the category of "production."

As it turns out, he's got a pretty good excuse. He played the season with a broken hip. Hips are pretty important for cornerbacks in the NFL; almost as important as they are for Elvis impersonators, contortionists, and adult film stars. From the San Diego Union-Tribune:

Antonio Cromartie revealed yesterday he played this season with a fractured hip.

A Pro Bowl cornerback only a year ago, Cromartie said the injury, which he suffered in the second quarter of the season opener, should heal with rest and he expects to return to form.

Hell yeah,” Cromartie said when asked if he was looking forward to the offseason. “It came (too) soon, but I'm definitely looking forward to it – mostly to get my body back in shape, get back healthy and be able to play like I'm supposed to play.”

Phew. I was worried that Cromartie had just gotten horribly overrated from the gaudy numbers he put up in his first year as a starter, and 2008 sort of revealed the "real" Cromartie. In reality, his sub-par year was a combination of being overrated because of his sick 2007 numbers and a nagging injury to an important part of a corner's body.

Better luck next year, guy.

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128 Comments

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  1. gaborik10m
    1. Posted by gaborik10m Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:05 pm EDT

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    Maybe the Chargers could have used a healthy corner? Selfish
  2. jithu2
    2. Posted by jithu2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    Antonio Cromartie is a beasy
  3. Your Daddy
    3. Posted by Your Daddy Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:23 pm EDT

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    where was LT?... MEOW
  4. Kent
    4. Posted by Kent Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:19 pm EDT

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    hopefully that's what happens. i'm still somewhat skeptical that he'll come back. big ups to quentin jammer. though. he anchored our whole secondary. Go Chargers.
  5. pan am
    5. Posted by pan am Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:50 pm EDT

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    this makes 5 comments now, nothing else to say
  6. Older_than_Moses_Shaq
    6. Posted by Older_than_Moses_Shaq Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:56 pm EDT

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    Had to try and one up LT. Nice work.
  7. CMB
    7. Posted by CMB Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:32 pm EDT

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    So we're supposed to cut him some slack for all the PI calls, soft coverage and Deion like tacking ability? If he can't play like a starter, then he should sit. Are we that shallow at CB that he or the coaches didn't sit him? C'mon, Cason got burned at times, but at least he forced a turnover or two, played hard and didn't slack off in coverage. I like Cason and Jammer next year with Cro as the nickel...we'll see if he gets hungry again then...cuz this Deion type play (without the picks and returns) is boring.
  8. Team Margaritaville
    8. Posted by Team Margaritaville Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    Selfish to play? Now if he didn't play we would have a called him a whimp or worse. He did what he could, the Chargers knew about this all season and still put him out there. Big ups to Jammer. This defense will be scary with Merriman back and Cromartie healthy.
  9. Mexican dude
    9. Posted by Mexican dude Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

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    Cromartie should have sat out. The Bolts have good backups. LT didn't sit out after busting his toe. What did he do on a busted toe? 20yds. 52yds. 30yds. 48yds. yeah. Cromartie. What did he do with a busted hip? 2 picks. all year. 9 penalties. 8 TD's allowed.
    Plus he looks up to Deion Sanders. Last year his role model was Quinten Jammer. A REAL shutdown corner. Cro needs to tear down his Sanders posters and look up to a teammate. A good Player
  10. Chubs
    10. Posted by Chubs Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:54 pm EDT

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    At least Cromartie tried to tough it out and play through the pain. Has LT EVER played in an important game? Ouch my toe hurts.
  11. CMB
    11. Posted by CMB Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:32 pm EDT

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    So sick of the LT comments...I'd like to see these fools play professional football with torn tendons in knees and groins...especially being a running back. Heck these couch jockeys probably couldn't walk to the nearest fast food joint for a double heart attack burger with fries! ST*U
  12. Chubs
    12. Posted by Chubs Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:54 pm EDT

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    At least Cromartie tried to tough it out and play through the pain. Has LT EVER played in an important game? Ouch my toe hurts.
  13. the REAL Headless Chicken
    13. Posted by the REAL Headless Chicken Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    Wow. Get well soon. I trusted you in my fantasy team all season long. Now I know better. Thanks for the timely statement... ;)
  14. gaborik10m
    14. Posted by gaborik10m Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:05 pm EDT

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    Well, would a broken hip'd cromartie have given them a better chance than whoever would have played in his place?
    Hmmm why'd he have 60 tackles this year instead of 40 and 20 the two years before???? Caught balls in his direction possibly because he couldn't cover?
  15. vanilla thunder
    15. Posted by vanilla thunder Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

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    fractured hip? excuses excuses.
  16. Thomas O
    16. Posted by Thomas O Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    In case you didn't know. this is cromarties' THIRD year. he was not a rookie last year
  17. 1904
    17. Posted by 1904 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

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    isnt this Cromarties 3rd year? cause his rookie season he didnt play much and he was number 25. last year, his sophomore year he changed to number 31 and got 10 picks. then this year would be his 3rd.
  18. CMB
    18. Posted by CMB Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:32 pm EDT

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    gaborik10m: The nickel had more tackles then Cro. So either Cro didn't get thrown at (which we know isn't true with the amt of personal fouls and PI's against him) or he played off and was out of position. I know I saw him step back and let others make the tackles on several occasions. Every yard counts in this game and he gave up several. His play this season, for what ever reason, was sub par. In my opinion, a healthy Cason would have been better, but I'm not the coach and my guess is they were scared of starting a rookie at corner.
  19. The Thrilla in Vanilla
    19. Posted by The Thrilla in Vanilla Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:01 pm EDT

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    Welcome to another MJD blog post!
    If this is your first time here, get used to seeing this:
    "Related: San Diego Chargers"
  20. TRITON
    20. Posted by TRITON Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:23 pm EDT

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    Even w/ the injury he is better than the rest of the CB's ont he depth chart.
  21. Thomas O
    21. Posted by Thomas O Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    RE: TRITON
    Are you kidding?
    Have you forgotten about Quinton Jammer? Clinton Hart is a monster.
    Cason and Weddle are developing into really solid players as well.
  22. SteelerB
    22. Posted by SteelerB Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    Any excuse is better than none ay all. They still got rocked by the STEELERS!!!!!!!!
    SEE YA IN TAMPA!!!!!!!!!!!
  23. Scott E
    23. Posted by Scott E Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    There is something very fishy here. It doesn't quite add up to an excuse for subpar play; nor does it keep him from playing all year. Aren't injuries supposed to be reported? Was he listed as probably, questionable/hip all year. I didn't hear anything about it.
  24. billswill
    24. Posted by billswill Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    nobody ever acused him of being smart !!!# 24 becareful what you wish for,what goes around comes around you are an a$$
  25. SoCalSprtzFan ( REAL DYNASTYS THREE-PEAT*** )
    25. Posted by SoCalSprtzFan ( REAL DYNASTYS THREE-PEAT*** ) Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:13 pm EDT

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    9. Posted by Dynastay Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:46 pm EST Report Abuse
    Played with a broken hip ? OK..................UMMMMMMMM...I gues he was shot full of juice to combat the pain......or hes full of it ! FRACTURED HIP UMMM YEA OK.
    Dynastys don't do paperbags or cheat
    The 1000 Year Curse of Beli-Cheat is alive and well in ClamCrew Chowder nation....

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