Chargers
Picky, picky Cromartie nearing goal

UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

December 3, 2007
KANSAS CITY, Mo.s&8211; Following his third multi-interception game in the past six weeks, Antonio Cromartie revealed one of his personal goals.


Sean M. Haffey / Union-Tribune
Antonio Cromartie surveys his return prospects after the first of his two end-zone interceptions.
“I have a goal every single year to catch 10 interceptions,” the Chargers' second-year cornerback said.

If that doesn't sound like a big deal, consider this list of players in Chargers history with 10 interceptions in a season:

That's right, no one has done it. In fact, since 1963, only Ryan McNeil (2001) had as many as eight picks in a season.

At least until now. Cromartie yesterday joined McNeil and three players from the early 1960s – Dick Harris, Claude Gibson and Bob Zeman – with eight, one shy of Charlie McNeil's team record set in 1961. The guys in the '60s had just 12 games in a season, but Cromartie has made just four starts.

“I'm not surprising myself,” said Cromartie, who had one in the first quarter and one in the fourth quarter of the Chargers' 24-10 victory over Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium. “My goal is to have a bigger game.”

Right place, right time

Cornerback Antonio Cromartie added two interceptions to his collection, leaving him tied for No. 2 on the Chargers' all-time single-season list:

8 | Antonio Cromartie 2007

8 Ryan McNeil | 2001

8 | Dick Harris | 1963

8 | Claude Gibson | 1962

8 | Bob Zeman | 1961

7 | 10 players tied

Actually, he already had a three-pick game, three weeks ago against Indianapolis. That followed a two-pick game two weeks earlier against Houston.

The thing is, since Cromartie had those three interceptions on national TV against Peyton Manning, teams have mostly stayed away from him. He has been targeted no more than 10 times a game while remaining in the starting lineup following that performance.

“They're attacking me when they can,” said Cromartie, who has at least two more interceptions than anyone else in the league. “My job is to be ready.”

The Chiefs threw just four passes his way, and he caught two of them, both in the end zone. The first came in the opening quarter, when the Chargers had Eddie Kennison double covered and Damon Huard threw the ball anyway. While Kennison ran over Eric Weddle, Cromartie made the catch.

“I knew exactly what he was trying to do,” Cromartie said of Kennison. “He ran the post. I had great help from Eric Weddle being back there. It made it harder to have to try to throw over him and I just came over the top.”

The second interception came in the final three minutes of the game when backup quarterback Tyler Thigpen tried to connect with Tony Gonzalez, who already had 10 receptions. But Cromartie had Gonzalez blanketed and caught the pass.

That prompted Cromartie to break out his version of the hula, an obvious reference to the Pro Bowl.

“I like that,” said tight end Antonio Gates, a three-time Pro Bowl pick. “But just because you lead the league doesn't necessarily guarantee anything. We just had a talk about that. I said you have to understand there's nothing promised to anybody.

“The year LT (LaDainian Tomlinson) had all those yards and 100 catches, he didn't make it because we didn't win (in 2003). Our main focus is on winning. Then all the individual accolades come after winning.”

Gates compared his teammate with Baltimore's Ed Reed, a perennial Pro Bowl selection, because he said Cromartie “is one of those guys that has a knack for making a play. There's a difference between a guy that can play and start, and guys that make plays and have great ball skills. That's kind of how Cromartie is.”


Jay Posner: (619) 293-1834; jay.posner@uniontrib.com


Staff writer Kevin Acee contributed to this report


  Multimedia

Cowboys at Chargers
Photos from the field. (Saturday, Aug. 9)

Fanfest photos
CFX celebrates along with you.

Countdown to camp
A twice-per-week position-by-position look at the Chargers leading up to training camp.

CFX Podcast No. 24
Draft recap, Mark Fabiani interview. (Thursday, May 8)

Jacob Hester Minicamp update
U-T beat writer Kevin Acee reports from minicamp.
(Sunday, May 4)

After the draft
U-T staff writer Kevin Acee reflects on how the Chargers fared.
(Monday, April 28)

Auditions
Charger Girl tryouts.

'We love you, L.T.'
Show your appreciation for LaDainian Tomlinson.

Marking the occasion
Scores of fans turn out for free tattoos. (Sat., Jan. 12)

Where the bolt is
Chula Vista fan's home is bolt-centered. (Sat., Jan. 12)

Season of redemption
Philip Rivers audio slideshow. (Friday, Jan. 11)






2007 Schedule

PRESEASON


Home games in CAPS


2006
W GREEN BAY, 17-3
L Chicago, 3-24
W SEATTLE, 31-20
L San Fran., 14-23

REGULAR SEASON
W Oakland, 27-0
W TENNESSEE, 40-7

9/24 BYE
L Baltimore, 13-16
W PITT., 23-13
W, S.F., 48-19
L, Kan. City, 27-30
W, ST. LOU., 38-24
W, CLEVE., 32-25
W, Cinci., 49-41
W, Denver, 35-27
W, OAK., 21-14
W, Bills, 24-21
W, DENVER, 48-20
W, K. CITY, 20-9
W, Seattle, 20-17
W, ARIZ., 27-20

PLAYOFFS
L, NEW ENG., 21-24


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