ARIZONA CARDINALS

NFL.com analyst: Antonio Cromartie would give Arizona Cardinals a ‘very formidable’ secondary

Mar 17, 2014, 9:17 PM | Updated: Mar 18, 2014, 1:10 am

LISTEN: Bucky Brooks, NFL.com analyst

As of now, the Arizona Cardinals have a combined four Pro Bowl appearances from the members of their secondary thanks to Patrick Peterson (3) and Justin Bethel (1).

They could nearly double total that with just one signing.

Antonio Cromartie, the former New York Jet and San Diego Charger, was in for a visit with the team last week, and while no contract has been signed, he would seem to remain a viable option for the team.

A guest of the Dan Bickley Show with Vince Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Monday, NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks said the three-time Pro Bowl selection would not be a bad addition to the team.

“When you talk about Antonio Cromartie, you’re talking about the price to acquire the player,” he said. “If he comes in at a sensible price tag, I think he could absolutely be a complement to what Patrick Peterson is.”

Peterson, of course, is the Cardinals’ number one cornerback and usually assigned to the opponent’s top receiving threat.

“If Antonio Cromartie is your number two corner,” Brooks said, “a Pro Bowl-caliber player playing opposite Patrick Peterson, you certainly can compete with some of the top dogs in the NFC West.”

Brooks said what the Cardinals would be able to do would not be unlike what the Seattle Seahawks can, with big cornerbacks who can press receivers at the line of scrimmage.

Peterson is listed at 6-foot-1 and 219 pounds, while Cromartie is 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds.

“I’m not saying the Cardinals will want to mimic what Seattle does, but the ability to walk up and put your hands on people with two big corners, two guys who are over six foot, six-two, that gives you the opportunity to match up with any receiving corp in the league.

“I think that’s certainly a good thing, particularly when you add in Tyrann Mathieu coming back from injury as your nickel safety-type guy, I think that makes it a very formidable secondary.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

23 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

NFL.com analyst: Antonio Cromartie would give Arizona Cardinals a ‘very formidable’ secondary