Antonio Cromartie may be coming out

[SoCalBronco]

despite missing the whole year with an ACL injury. Not confirmed though, but one source is reporting it.

He is probably the best corner in the country when healthy.

[Jens1893]

where do you see him go?

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

SoCal - Do you think it is worth a shot to take Prothro in the 6/7 even though you know he will spend the first part of the season, at least, on the PUP list?

[SoCalBronco]

SoCal - Do you think it is worth a shot to take Prothro in the 6/7 even though you know he will spend the first part of the season, at least, on the PUP list?

I definitely would take a shot at Tommy Prothro on Day 2 somewhere.

[SoCalBronco]

where do you see him go?

Well he was projected to be a Top 15 pick before his injury. It depends on how he runs in his pro day, the combine, all star games. Everyone is looking to see if he still has that speed and closing ability after the injury. Its up in the air. Id be surprised if he lasted to round three though.

[ØrangeÇrush]

so...

another willie middlebrooks type of player huh?

[SoCalBronco]

so...

another willie middlebrooks type of player huh?

No way. Antonio has 10 times the ability of Willie. Willie had a great junior year at Minnesota but Cromartie is on a whole other level. One of FSU's most gifted corners ever.

[ØrangeÇrush]

Than he won't get out of the first round. Talent like that will drop but not out of the first round. Many teams will gamble to get a blue chipper. We've done, and the Bills did it with McGahee.

[SpringStein]

How good is this source, SoCal? That would be surprising - but certainly big news!

[SpringStein]

I see Allen Trieu is also hearing this. imo, it's great for the Broncos to have as many juniors declare as possible this year with our stockpile of picks.

[SoCalBronco]

How good is this source, SoCal? That would be surprising - but certainly big news!

Just some reliable FSU and Miami posters at one of the Hurricane boards I frequent. They are saying even if he wanted to stay, he wouldnt be eligible for next year because of extremely poor grades. We'll see.

[SpringStein]

They are saying even if he wanted to stay, he wouldnt be eligible for next year because of extremely poor grades. We'll see.

That makes sense.

[Clockwork Orange]

Just some reliable FSU and Miami posters at one of the Hurricane boards I frequent. They are saying even if he wanted to stay, he wouldnt be eligible for next year because of extremely poor grades. We'll see.

I hope it's true. Not because I want the Broncos to draft him, but because it would make the draft that much deeper.

The more that declare, the better. I remember being saddened last year when 1st round talents were staying in school left and right (Ferguson, Kiwanuka, Wright) and our pick at 25 was looking pretty weak......until the Redskins came to the rescue.:thumbsup:

[SoCalBronco]

There is also a decent chance I hear that Florida State's junior OLB Ernie Sims will come out as well.

[NFLBRONCO]

Lets hope alot of DL and S declare this year so we can snag a few day 1 of the draft.

[SoCalBronco]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Florida State cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who sat out the entire 2005 season after tearing his ACL, announced prior to Tuesday's Fed-Ex Orange Bowl that he will forgo his senior season and enter the 2006 NFL draft.

The news came in the pre-game press notes released by the team.

"I want to be able to help my family out," Cromartie said in the statement. "I've talked to my family and the coaches and I feel like this is the best decision."

A preseason first-team All-American, Cromartie was expected to anchor the Seminoles secondary and challenge for the Thorpe Award, given to the nation's best defensive back, in 2005. But during a voluntary off-season workout on July 12, he tore the ACL and MCL, as well as a hamstring tendon in his left leg.

"Like I've always said, I think you can make more money if you stay another year in school and work toward getting your diploma," Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden said. "But, if there are extenuating circumstances, then I will support the decision to enter the draft. Antonio is an outstanding athlete and there is no doubt that he has the ability to play in the NFL."

Cromartie graduated from Tallahassee Lincoln in 2003 as the USA Today National Defensive Player of the Year. He tied for the Florida State lead with four interceptions in 2004, returning two for touchdowns. He also averaged 22.9 yards per kickoff return.

A typical recovery time from a torn ACL is nine months to a year -- especially for players at skill positions. Florida State doctors told Cromartie at the time of his late-July surgery that he faced nine months of rehabilitation. Nine months from his surgery would be April 22, yet Cromartie plans on being ready for the NFL combine in late February.

"My knee feels great and I have been working extremely hard to get myself ready to play again," Cromartie said. "My plan now is to continue to work and get ready for the combine and the other workouts. I feel like I am ready to play at the next level and that's what I'll have to be able to show the scouts and coaches in the next couple of months."

Cromartie is the first Seminole to leave early since receiver P.K. Sam declared after the 2003 season. Sam was a fifth-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2004.

At least two other Florida State players, running back Lorenzo Booker and linebacker Ernie Sims, are also deciding if they'll return for their senior seasons in Tallahassee or turn pro.

[OrangeShadow]

socal do you see him at all being reay for the first game of the season? he says hell be ready for the combine

[27atwater]

he's gonna f himself over. I wish him the best, but if he rushes back too fast just for the combine...

[Broncoman13]

Screw that... if he's there w/our 2nd round pick you jump all over him! The dude has as much talent as any of the best CB's that have come out in the past 10 years. Even if he isn't full speed next year you're talking about a Dime/Nickel back with all kinds of talent! Put it to you this way. In two years you could have a starting Duo of Champ and Cromartie and within three years you could have people wondering whether Champ or Cromartie is the best CB on the team... he's that talented!!!

[OrangeShadow]

then you still have darrent and foxy^ thatd be killer

[27atwater]

so we want a guy who has had a MAJOR knee injury, will push to get back 2 months ahead of schedule, risking the health of his knee for his entire career, when we already have very good CBs, experienced AND young?

meanwhile, our oline is either aging out or pricing out of our lineup, we still can't knock a QB down and our S/WR positions will each have HUGE question marks by 2007. I say no to Cromartie. he may be a stud, but by the time he is good enough to matter, he'll follow the money out of town.

[Broncoman13]

Remember when the Bills took a chance on Willis McGahee, even though he couldn't run in the combine, even though they knew he'd probably have to sit out a year, even though they already had Travis Henry... what it came down to is this: Healthy, he was worthy of a top 10 pick. Cromartie, when healthy is probably worthy of a top 5 pick. If you can get that type of value you'd be stupid not to jump on it. There are holes on this team and I consider our LB's a very strong unit, but if AJ Hawk dropped to us in the first round I'd be 10 kinds of pissed if we didn't take him. Same goes for a CB, I don't care how much talent we have, the more the merrier! Especially when you consider that our CB's drop like flies during the season, and usually toward the end of the season. I'm sorry, but I wouldn't feel bad if we had 4 starting caliber CB's and forced Roc and Cox into a fight for that 5th position.

Also keep in mind that Crom was a very good return man. FSU just happens to have one of the alltime greats otherwise I think Crom would be in the same class as Pac-Man in terms of return ability!

[27atwater]

I do see yer point and ya make a solid argument. I just disagree since we have other needs. If we weren't so snug against the cap, I'd say take a shot at him, but we may be losing some studs this offseason and we need to replace them w/ legit talent.

[Broncoman13]

Take a look at this and tell me you wouldn't jump all over the pick!

ANTONIO CROMARTIE (Florida State)… although he has missed his entire junior year thanks to a torn ACL in his left knee there is speculation out of Tallahassee that he would like to see what type of grade he would currently carry, since he would be on pace to be fully recovered in time to workout for scouts leading up to the draft… the injury happened on July 12th, so he would be six months removed by mid-January, 2006... has the best combination of size, speed and play-making ability of any defensive back that would be available in either of the next two drafts… just under 6030, 202-210 pounds… has been timed between 4.38-4.42 in the 40, prior to his injury, and was also a member of the school's track team… long arms, tremendous flexibility and the lateral quickness to be a lethal threat on kickoff and punt returns, as well… showed good poise and ball skills, as a young defender the previous two years… had some trouble biting on play action and double-move routes, but that can be corrected with coaching… his game to date came in the 2004 season opener against Miami, as he returned a fumble for a touchdown and made an eye-opening interception… also played very well in games against Maryland and West Virginia… led the team with four interceptions… his near perfect blend of size, speed and cover skills would allow him to earn a possible first round grade should his knee checkout fine… is still reviewing his options behind the scenes, but is not a big fan of going to class for another 12-months and may not be on totally solid ground from an academic standpoint…

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Saw him on the sidelines last night. Was about 6" taller than the DB he was talking to.

[OrangeShadow]

i wouldnt mind him with our 2nd rounder but i dont see him lasting that long

[Mediator12]

ACL injuries, like everything else that heals, have different healing ranges. I played seven months after my first ACL and won a national championship. I was about 95% or so. I think he should not participate on the RCA dome's new field turf with that injury though. That surface catches easier than the old one.

That being said, Cromartie is special guys. He would be the first DB off the board without the injury. IMHO he goes late in the first.

**Side Note: The new 40 times will be interesting on a new surface BTW**

[Broncoman13]

And I wouldn't be the least bit upset if we were the one to take him late in the first. Top 5 talent in the back end of the first is a good thing! Teaming him up with Champ, DWill and Foxxy is a good thing!!!

[Rascal]

And I wouldn't be the least bit upset if we were the one to take him late in the first. Top 5 talent in the back end of the first is a good thing! Teaming him up with Champ, DWill and Foxxy is a good thing!!!

We can only play three unless you plan to to start four CB's.

thwack

[Broncoman13]

Yes, and in case you haven't noticed we have a habbit of dropping CB's like flies all season long! We can only play three yet you see Roc Alexander and Curome Cox on the field on Sundays!

Like I've said many times over, within two years you'd be looking at Champ and Crom and wondering which CB is the best CB on our team!

CB's are kind of like RB's, you can never have too many of them.

Picture this: Champ and Crom starting. Foxxy the Nickel. DWill the Dime and he actually gets to return kicks and punts!

Don't know if you noticed his size or not Jack, but Crom could easily play safety as well!

[Rascal]

Yes, and in case you haven't noticed we have a habbit of dropping CB's like flies all season long! We can only play three yet you see Roc Alexander and Curome Cox on the field on Sundays!

Like I've said many times over, within two years you'd be looking at Champ and Crom and wondering which CB is the best CB on our team!

CB's are kind of like RB's, you can never have too many of them.

Picture this: Champ and Crom starting. Foxxy the Nickel. DWill the Dime and he actually gets to return kicks and punts!

Don't know if you noticed his size or not Jack, but Crom could easily play safety as well!

I think I've had enough of those CB to safety projects I want a legit cover safety.

IMO if we get a defensive back he should be a safety and not a CB.

[OrangeShadow]

agreed 100%^