There’s no other way to put it. New York Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff is a hardass.
So the way he talks about cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who in the past has been accused by outsiders as being non-physical, is certainly an attention-grabber.
Cromartie, who was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after a two-interception game Sunday against the Jaguars, is also the Jets’ kick returner. And according to Westhoff, Cromartie would probably play every position on the field if the coaches would let him.
“Cro’s a guy I can’t get him out of anything,” Westhoff said during his Thursday press conference. “He wants to do everything.”
Cromartie’s lanky build combined with his elite speed gives him a very rare stride – one that has can consistently give the Jets good starting field position. He showed it Sunday against Jacksonville, and he’s arguably the main reason New York defeated the Indianpolis Colts on a last-minute drive last year in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The 2006 first-round draft choice acquired via trade for a third-round pick has more than held his own opposite the best cornerback in football in Darrelle Revis. Cro also takes pride in being a do-it-all player who represents what Westhoff said being a good team is all about.
“He got in there and practiced against me today against our punt team,” Westhoff said. “He jumped in and came full speed.
“.. I love the attitude and have nothing but respect for it and how hard he wants to be. If I took him off the kickoff, he’d be going crazy. I can’t get him out of the huddle, so I have no plans of getting him out.
“It’s hard to find a guy like that.”
Westhoff said he doesn’t worry about using Cromartie to the point that it would affect his performance on defense.
“Rex is great with it,” Westhoff said. “He knows… It’s just a play or two… we’re pretty smart with that."
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