Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie, one day after reportedly calling Patriots quarterback Tom Brady an “a–hole,’’ didn’t back off those comments on Wednesday.
“I said what I had to say,” Cromartie said at Jets headquarters. “In my opinion, it’s never going to change about Brady. At the end of the day, it’s going to be what it’s going to be. I hate him. He hates me. He hates the Jets. Who cares?”
Asked if he regrets calling out Brady, Cromartie said, “No. Why would I regret it? That’s my quote and that’s how I feel about it.’’
When it was suggested he might have given the Patriots some valuable bulletin board material, Cromartie said, “They can have all the material they want to. It’s what you’re doing between those white lines. That’s what it’s going to come to on Sunday.”
Asked if he thinks Brady will pick on him more in Sunday’s AFC Divisional playoff game, Cromartie dared him to.
“I hope so. I really do. I hope he’ll throw the ball 10 times my way,” he said. “I hope I go out and make him pay. That’s the only thing you can do.”
Cromartie said his disdain for Brady dates to 2006 when the Patriots did a mocking dance at midfield in San Diego after eliminating the Chargers from the playoffs.
Cromartie on Tuesday reportedly called out Brady for pointing to the Jets sideline in the 45-3 New England win last month after one of the last Patriots touchdowns, something Brady denied doing.
“Everybody’s seen the film and everybody’s seen the tape, pointing and taunting at the sideline and our players,’’ Cromartie said. “That was just ongoing. When you do stuff like that, it’s really not being a professional on the football field. Just be a pro. Act like you’ve been there before.
“All the taunting … you can have your fun, (but) do it on (your) sideline, don’t look at our sideline. That’s the biggest sign of disrespect.”
Brady, speaking to reporters on a conference call Wednesday, said he was unfazed by Cromartie’s remarks.
“I’ve been called worse,” he said. “In fact, (Bill) Belichick and my offensive coordinator have called me that and I know they like me, so maybe (Cromartie) really likes me.”
Brady said he doesn’t recall taunting the Jets’ sideline.
“I don’t remember that,’’ Brady said. “I’m very emotional as I play. I don’t think I’ve ever pointed at anybody. That’s certainly not my style. Maybe that’s a source of motivation for them.”