New York Jets Are Closer To Playing in Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 2011

The New York Jets acquired San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2011 draft Thursday evening.

In order to make room for Cromartie, the Jets released disappointing cornerback Lito Sheppard.

Cromartie, 25, who the Chargers selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft out of Florida State University, was an All-Pro selection in 2007.

At his best, Cromartie is an elite shutdown corner who can easily blanket any receiver in the league with his blazing speed.

Unfortunately for Jets fans, Cromartie is also a pathetic tackler who has more personal issues than Lindsay Lohan.

Cromartie reportedly has fathered seven children in five different states and he has been named in a minimum of five paternity suits.

The former Seminole standout signed a five-year contract worth $7.35 million with the Chargers after he was drafted.

Therefore, Cromartie is entering the final season of his rookie contract and the Jets have been clear that they have zero desire to extend his deal before next season.

Cromartie’s precarious contract situation should make him highly motivated to thrive for the Jets this coming autumn.

Seriously, the guy is legally obligated to feed kids that reside all over our great nation.

Coupled with 2009 First-Team All-Pro Darrelle Revis, the Jets should have the most formidable cornerback tandem in the NFL.

If Revis and Cromartie are able to stifle their opponents passing game, Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan should have a ball devising even more aggressive blitz packages than he usually does.

Facing a non-existent aerial attack will also enable the Jets to stack the line of scrimmage and utterly suffocate their oppositions running game.

Essentially, considering that at worst the Jets only squandered a second-round pick, the decision to obtain Cromartie was an obvious move for New York’s brass to make.

The Jets had the best statistical defense in the entire NFL in 2009 and their ferocious play on that side of the ball is what propelled Gang Green to their first AFC Championship game since the 1998-1999 season.

With a determined Cromartie now in the equation, the Jets elite defensive unit was further strengthened.

On March 4, the New York Jets managed to get closer to playing in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011.