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          NFL Nation

          In 72 hours, the Jets turn a weakness into a strength

          • Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterMar 12, 2015, 03:10 PM ET
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              Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.
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          A few thoughts on the New York Jets finalizing a deal with cornerback Antonio Cromartie:

          1. Is this 2012? First, Darrelle Revis, now Cromartie. In three crazy days of free agency, the Jets reunited with their old cornerback tandem, which played together from 2010 to 2012. David Harris' recent contract extension means the Jets will have four defensive starters from the 2010 team that reached the AFC Championship Game. (Let's not forget Calvin Pace.) That's a lot of experience, which can be a good thing (leadership) or a bad thing (old legs).

          2. The Jets attacked their biggest weakness, the secondary, by signing three starting corners -- Revis, Cromartie and Buster Skrine, who probably will be the nickelback. Just like that, they have three press-man cornerbacks who can play in Todd Bowles' blitz-heavy scheme. They did quite a repair job in 24 hours. Give new general manager Mike Maccagnan credit for addressing his coach's personnel needs; that's what good GMs do.

          3. Cromartie turns 31 next month, but he keeps himself in phenomenal shape. This is a good signing as long as his old hip injury, which plagued him in 2013, doesn't flare up again. He was awful that season, giving up an alarming number of big plays. The slippage cost him a lot of money. The Jets tried to re-sign him after cutting him for cap purposes -- it looked like a done deal -- but he took a one-year, prove-it deal from the Cardinals for only $3.5 million. He played well under Bowles, reaching the Pro Bowl as an alternate.

          4. Naturally, the influx of cornerbacks raises questions about former No. 1 pick Dee Milliner, who is recovering from Achilles tendon surgery. At last check, he likely will miss the entire offseason as he rehabs from the injury. The Jets went into the offseason taking a worst-case scenario approach, meaning they will consider it a bonus if they get anything out of him. They also have Dexter McDougle (returning from knee surgery), Darrin Walls and Marcus Williams. Too crowded? Not at all. Bowles loves DBs. He used more dime packages last season than any other defense in the league.