College football

Seminole star wants to talk a good game

Antonio Cromartie tells teams to forget about his torn ACL.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published January 26, 2006

MOBILE, Ala. - One of the most intriguing prospects in town this week won't even be on the field.

Former Florida State cornerback Antonio Cromartie, a junior who declared for the draft after missing all of 2005 with a knee injury, showed up in Mobile, where NFL staffs are evaluating top college prospects participating in the Senior Bowl.

On the advice of his agent, Cromartie came to town Tuesday evening for face time, and he received a warm reception. By Thursday afternoon, he estimated he already had met with "12 or 13" teams, including the Bucs.

It's not surprising teams were interested. A superb athlete, Cromartie was a preseason Playboy All-American and all-ACC first-team selection in 2004, his sophomore season.

But Cromartie still must convince teams he is worthy of a high-round pick after missing the past season. "That's why I'm here," Cromartie said.

He said the interviews with teams centered largely around his recovery from surgery for a torn left anterior cruciate ligament sustained during preseason workouts. In addition to telling them he is healthy, Cromartie will have a chance to show them at the combine next month in Indianapolis. The knee "is back," said Cromartie, who estimated he is 95 percent healthy. "I'm not really worried about anything. I just want them to know that I'm ready."

There is hardly a consensus among scouts about where Cromartie will be picked, but there is a great deal of interest. His 40-yard dash times at the combine will be critical because Cromartie, formerly a sprinter for the track team, is highly regarded for his speed. But his uncommon size (about 6 feet 3, 200 pounds) is considered an asset, too.

Cromartie is convinced he can be a first-round pick. According to Cromartie, the NFL's advisory committee, which counsels underclassmen on their draft prospects, told him he was at least a fourth-round pick.

But that analysis did not take into account his recovery from the injury and could not predict what gains he might make at the combine and other workouts, such as FSU's Pro Day, scheduled for March16.

Cromartie is just one of 10 Florida college prospects in Mobile, including USF running back Andre Hall. "I'm getting some education here and good coaching," said Hall, whose South team is being coached by the 49ers staff. "I'm around some good athletes."

Hall believes USF joining the Big East will help him on draft day because teams have seen him against better competition.

"It showed that it doesn't matter where you come from. It's how you come," Hall said. "It's performance that counts."

Bucs running backs coach Art Valero saw Hall play for the first time this week and said he walked away impressed.

"He belongs," Valero said. "That's the important thing. A lot of times, there are a lot of good football players, and a lot of those guys aren't the Reggie Bushes of the world. But they are very good football players where it's going to come down to how they fit your scheme. Once they fit your scheme and you find a place for them, then let him go out and flourish."

Hall and Valero agree he could flourish for a team with a West Coast offense, of which there are many.

"And they're all looking for that type of guy," Valero said.

Among the other state college players is FSU and former Chamberlain High defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley. At 6-2, 300 pounds, he has been a force in practices. But he was disappointed Wednesday because trainers held him out with a a slight concussion sustained Tuesday. Bunkley, who was scheduled to meet with the Bucs on Wednesday afternoon, hoped to return today.

[Last modified January 26, 2006, 01:02:16]