Rex Ryan: Antonio Cromartie is 'tough"

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has admitted that he is glad to have cornerback Antonio Cromartie on his team and that he does not have to face him.

Ryan said that Cromartie is capable of always being asked to make the hard play and can perform at a high standard doing so.

"I just think that sometimes as much man as we play, we give him the tough down, down after down," Ryan told the Jets' official website.

"Sometimes you're going to get beat, and he's been beat on a couple of them, but everybody gets beat, there's no question. I'm glad he's on our team, though, I'll say that. He takes the tough down and never flinches."

Cromartie has made 17 tackles and one forced fumble so far this season.