Richard Sherman to Antonio Cromartie: 'We're the No. 1 defense for a reason'

Never one to back down from a challenge, Seattle Seahawks star Richard Sherman responded Tuesday to incendiary remarks made by New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

Cromartie stated that Sherman couldn't be considered as the best cornerback because he doesn't always shadow the opposition's top receiver. In Seattle's Cover 3 base defense, Sherman is designated to shut down one side of the field as the team's left cornerback, irrespective of the matchup.

Sherman crafted an eloquent response to Cromartie's comments, via The Seattle Times' Bob Condotta:

That was unfortunate. You'd think that after me helping him get the Pro Bowl bid this year; we went to the Super Bowl or he wouldn't have made the Pro Bowl otherwise. And now he's talking bad. I think it's one of the things that's just the ignorance of the public. How many great left tackles do you see switching to the right side because there’s a great d-end switches to the right side. You don't see it. Great players stay on their side and do what they're supposed to do. How many guys have you seen switching from side to side on a No. 1 defense? We're the No. 1 defense for a reason. You'd think guys like that wouldn't, who coaches a No. 1 defense to be worse? If we're No. 1, it must be working. It's an effective strategy for us and obviously we're playing at a high level. I guess when you're doing something great you're always going to have naysayers and detractors. I guess this is just one of those situations, but it's unfortunate.

It appears that Cromartie didn't consider the context of his season before engaging Sherman in a war of words. Last year with the Arizona Cardinals, Cromartie often faced the opponent's second receiver but watched Patrick Peterson get roasted by top-caliber wide receivers for eight touchdowns.

Cromartie replaced Sherman at the Pro Bowl after the Seahawks advanced to Super Bowl XLIX. The 31-year-old signed with the New York Jets in free agency, reuniting with All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis.

"Go follow the No. 1 receiver. Follow him around for a whole entire game and let's see what you can do," Cromartie said to ESPN's Rich Cimini last Tuesday. "Darrelle Revis has done that his whole career. I've done that. Patrick Peterson has done it. Joe Haden has done it. (Sherman) is the only defensive back that hasn't."

Sherman will continue to feature almost exclusively at left cornerback, with Cary Williams likely to lineup on the right side after Byron Maxwell signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Don't expect Cromartie's assertion to carry much weight with the Seahawks aiming for a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.