The situation at wide receiver grows darker for the New York Jets.
Cornerback Antonio Cromartie elicited laughter -- and some hurt feelings -- when he labeled himself the Jets' second-best receiver after moonlighting at the position during training camp. Sadly, he's closer to the truth than anyone in Florham Park wants to admit.
Cromartie hauled in a short touchdown pass from Greg McElroy during Tuesday's practice, eliciting praise from his coach, Rex Ryan, who joked about Cromartie morphing into a "diva," per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
More giggles out of Jets camp, but after what we saw against the Cincinnati Bengals, New York appears to possess genuine issues at receiver.
Coaches are hopeful Stephen Hill will emerge opposite Santonio Holmes, but the rookie was seen with his ring finger wrapped in tape Tuesday. It's uncertain if the finger was dislocated or broken. In a slice of good news, presumed slot receiver Jeremy Kerley finally is back on the field after being sidelined for weeks with a hamstring injury. Word is Kerley isn't holding off Cromartie, however, who continues to slide up the depth chart.
"I'm 100 percent serious this is something I want to do, try to play both ways," said Cromartie, who is likely to see time against the New York Giants on Saturday, according to Ryan.
Asked who would win in a duel between Cromartie The Receiver and Cromartie The Defender, Cromartie -- the man -- told the world this: "Cromartie the cornerback is going to win."
We have entered strange, new worlds.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
