And even if he's able to play at running back Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, there's a good chance Ryan might hold him out of returning kicks and use Cromartie there instead.

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Over the last four seasons in New England, he's proven to be an ideal running back for a pass-oriented offense: sturdy, creative near the goal line (he scored 11 touchdowns this season) and efficient.

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He went to college at Southern Utah University, where he was a running back on the school's football team and graduated with a degree in political science in 2001, the school's athletic department spokesman Neil Gardner said.

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