The New York Jets are preparing themselves for Sunday's Divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots by making tons of inflammatory comments, and members of the media from both New York and New England are shoveling it up much like they're shoveling snow from today's blizzard.
The latest Jets player yapping is cornerback Antonio Cromartie. He told the New York Daily News in a story that ran today that he has beef with the Patriots, especially quarterback Tom Brady. Cromartie, in-between profanities, took issue with Brady's tendency to "point" post-touchdown, and expressed a hatred for the entire Patriots organization.
Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe recalls that Cromartie's ill-will may have generated from his time with the San Diego Chargers. Cromartie was part of a Chargers squad that lost an early lead in a 2006 Divisional Playoff game to the Patriots.
WEEI's Kirk Minihane reports that when asked Wednesday afternoon if he regrets his comments, Cromartie told reporters that he did not, and launched into a "6-7 minute" tirade about Brady's lack of professionalism:
"Act like you've scored touchdowns before. My opinion is never going to change about Brady."
Unleash the media hounds on a snow-filled news day.
The Daily News initially stirred the pot by placing Cromartie's f-word predominant comment as their Sports headline for the day. Manza Young has tweeted some zingers throughout the day about Cromartie, including re-tweeting a reader who pointed out the cornerback had more children out of wedlock than interceptions.
Globe writer Pete Abraham chimed in via Twitter:
"A NYC paper should contact all of Cromartie's kids, wives and gfs to get their reaction. Shouldn't take more than a few months"
While the media and fans are abuzz, the subject of Cromartie's hatred is saving his response for Sunday. Reports Boston Herald writer Ian Rapoport:
"I’ve been called worse," Brady said. "There’s a long list of people that feel that way. "Not everybody has great things to say about our team or our players. That’s the way it’s always been. We’re going to do our talking on the field."