New England Patriots AFC East Analysis: New York Jets
By Hal Bent
May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) and cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) walk off the field after organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
The big splash made by the Jets was in the secondary. The Jets paid 30 year old Darrelle Revis a massive contract loaded with guaranteed money to lure the All Pro cornerback from New England back to New York. The Patriots were never going to pick up Darrelle Revis’ $20 million option this year and were not going near the guaranteed cash the Jets were shelling out. Revis was back to form in 2014, rebounding from a relatively down season in Tampa.
Opposite Revis the Jets brought back his former partner in New York, Antonio Cromartie, Cromartie has had injury problems in the past, but was solid for Bowles in Arizona before slowing down at the end of the season with an ankle injury. If Cromartie can stay healthy in 2015, he and Revis make for a solid tandem at cornerback.
The Jets spent another $25 million on the cornerback position when they signed former Cleveland Browns slot cornerback Buster Skrine to a four year deal. That noise coming from Cleveland in March was not cheering for LeBron James and the Cavaliers, it was the sound of Browns fans cheering for the team letting Skrine leave: He allowed eight touchdown passes and was flagged for 17 penalties in 2014 (per ProFootballFocus.com).
The most overlooked move in the secondary was the signing of former San Diego Chargers safety Marcus Gilchrist. Gilchrist is an undersized strong safety who was playing out of position in San Diego due to Eric Weddle holding down the free safety position. Gilchrist was initially a cornerback in San Diego and could be used in a variety of different roles in New York playing alongside Calvin Pryor.
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