By Kevin Acee

Posted: 2:24 p.m. Monday March 2, 2009

78 Comments

On his way to a team-record 10 interceptions in 2007, Antonio Cromartie supplanted Drayton Florence as the Chargers' starting right cornerback.

Now their correlation may be coming full circle.

According to league sources, the Chargers plan to put Cromartie on the trading block if they can sign Florence as a free agent.

fter Cromartie's Pro Bowl campaign in '07, Florence was allowed to leave via free agency. He signed a six-year, $36 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. But he was released last month and notified the Chargers through his agent he would like to return. The sides are talking now, and a deal could be in place this week.

Cromartie suffered a serious slide in production in 2008. He injured his hip in the season opener -- which he later called a fracture -- and had just two interceptions. If he is not traded, 2009 is considered a make-or-break year for him with the Chargers.

The departure of Cromartie and arrival of Florence would not necessarily mean Florence would regain his starting job. In fact, it appears more likely Antoine Cason would move into that role.

Contacted Monday, Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith would neither confirm nor deny his plans regarding Cromartie. The player's agent, Gary Wichard, said he had not been notified of any plans the Chargers had to trade Cromartie.