Richard Sherman Thinks Antonio Cromartie Should Be Grateful, Not Critical

New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie was recently critical of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, which may have caught the Seahawks star by surprise.

Why? Sherman thinks Cromartie should be grateful, not critical, for what the Seattle defensive back did for him last season.

Last week, Cromartie went on Sirius XM NFL Radio and gave his thoughts on the Sherman-Darrelle Revis debate. For Cromartie, it's simple. Revis follows the opponent's top receiver around the field; Sherman doesn't.

Here's what Cromartie had to say on the matter, via ESPN's Rich Cimini:

"

Go follow the No. 1 receiver. Follow him around for a whole entire game and let's see what you can do. Darrelle Revis [Cromartie's teammate now with the Jets] has done that his whole career. I've done that. Patrick Peterson [of Arizona] has done it. Joe Haden [of Cleveland] has done it. [Sherman] is the only defensive back that hasn't.

Go play in a defense where you don't have two All-Pro safeties. That's what I would tell him.

"

Sherman heard what Cromartie had to say about his game. Frankly, he was a little surprised by the criticism. Here was his response on Tuesday, per ESPN's Terry Blount:

"

That was unfortunate. You would think after me helping him get a Pro Bowl bid [for the 2014 season] ... We went to the Super Bowl and he wouldn't have made it to the Pro Bowl otherwise. And now he's talking bad.

I think it's just one of those things that it's the ignorance of the public. How many great left tackles do you see switching to the right side because a great D-end switches to the right side? You don't see it.

Great players stay on their side and do what they're supposed to do. How many guys have you seen switching from side to side on a No. 1 defense? You've never seen it. We're the No. 1 defense for a reason. Who coaches a No. 1 defense to be worse?

"

Cromartie, then with the Arizona Cardinals, was a Pro Bowl alternate this past season. He was named to the Pro Bowl once the Seahawks advanced to the Super Bowl, as Sherman had to give up his spot.

Staying on the same side of the field has always been a knock on Sherman. However, if the system works for the Seahawks, there's no reason for them to mess with it. Regardless of who he covers, Sherman is able to shut down one side of the field. That's his job—and he does it well.

There's no question that Sherman can accept criticism. He was just surprised by who was talking about him this time around—mainly because he helped Cromartie add a Pro Bowl to his resume last season.