Archives for February 29, 2016

'Here are a handful of quarterbacks who could enter the discussion next month in free agency or the following month in the draft…'.

'“It’s one of the toughest cities to grow up in," Tapper said. "You have to be very tough-minded. Coming out of Baltimore is like winning the lottery for a lot of us. You don’t see too many kids or anything coming out of Baltimore. It’s like a rose in the concrete almost."'

'"They had him high in preseason and nobody really knew about me because he had a lot of playing time in the previous seasons," Dodd said. "Nobody really knew about me. They're going to go with what they project. If they projected Shaq to be All-ACC, that's who they're going to roll with and that's who they went with. I had my chances and I got my opportunities to showcase who I am and I took full advantage of it."'

'The Bills have two good starting cornerbacks in Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby, their first draft pick last year, so Cromartie might be looking at a different role than he is used to if he goes to Buffalo. It also is possible Ryan is looking for someone who knows his defense and could bridge the gap between he and the Bills defenders that developed last year when several were publicly critical of Ryan.'

'Nevertheless, Cromartie made it clear he’s open to joining his former coach. “I love Rex,” he said. “That would be a great opportunity for me. I think he’s doing something good up in Buffalo to try to get that organization turned around.”'

'Cromartie, who will turn 32 in April, is expected to land somewhere in the second wave of free agency that begins March 9.'

'Cromartie will be 32 in April. With Ronald Darby and Stephon Gilmore entrenched as starting corners for the Bills, the 6-2, 210-pounder would either be a backup cornerback for depth purposes or be signed to play safety, as well.'

'Cromartie enjoyed some of his best years in the league as a Jet under Ryan's regime. He was one of Gang Green's best athletes during his initial stay with the team from 2010 to 2013, where the corner compiled 160 tackles, 51 passes defended and 13 interceptions.'