Jets CB Antonio Cromartie gets practice reps at WR

Cromartie: the Tebow of the Jets' pass-catchers? (AP)

We're starting to think that Jets coach Rex Ryan wasn't serious when he announced that his team wouldn't be beset by distractions a year after those very same distractions led to locker-room dissension and an 8-8 record.

The organization traded for Tim Tebow in March, a move that simultaneously started the "How long until Mark Sanchez is benched" countdown clock (nope, that's not a distraction). Then, in training camp, a free-for-all broke out, which came on the heels of cornerback Antonio Cromartie proclaiming that he was the second-best wide receiver on the roster. Not surprisingly, No. 2 wide receiver Chaz Schilens took exception. Meanwhile, Ryan assured everybody that he'd handle things.

Whatever your thoughts of Cromartie as a sure-tackling defensive back, he very well could be one of the Jets' best pass-catchers. That has more to do with the depth chart than Cro's ball skills (during their preseason opener against the Bengals, Schilens and rookie Stephen Hill were the starters) but whatever the reason, guess who got work at wide receiver at Monday's practice?

"The begging paid off," he said laughing, via CBSSports.com's Lisa Zimmerman. "I've been waiting for this opportunity for a long time to play both ways in the NFL," Cromartie added.

Zimmerman notes that, in addition to Holmes' rib injury, Jeremy Kerley and Schilens are battling pulled hamstrings, leaving Hill and third-year backup Patrick Turner.  And despite the circumstances that got Cromartie reps, this doesn't sound like a temporary position. Ryan thinks Cro could be an asset on offense.

"You’re not going to have him learn the entire offense, but maybe a handful of plays," Ryan said via the New York Daily News. "No reason he can’t do it. Certainly he could be a weapon. You see that kind of size and speed he brings to the table. We’ll see how excited he is when he gets smacked by a safety. We’ll see if that changes anything.”

Hey, if a punt protector can play quarterback there's no reason a cornerback can't catch a few passes.

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