Was never a huge fan of Jones, but like what he brought to the locker room. I think Greene will be a very good feature back for us and LT is a good guy to have around as a #2. I still would not rule out some brusier for depth in round 4 or 5. All in all, big Kudos to Tanny this offseason for making moves to try and improve despite the final 4 restrictions on who we could sign.
Whats a sports forum wihtout a good "I told you so" thread. There is a good one in the draft forum as we speak. http://forums.theganggreen.com/showthread.php?t=55105
Not very easily since the poll doesn't tell us who voted for what. I took option A. I know TJ would not have been a good backup - he's said himself he needs 25 carries to get a rhythm going - and I like LT's skills. I think this will work out pretty well if Schotty is smart in how he uses the guys we have at RB.
I would have given TJ another year. But I am hoping our line proves as good as last year and at least makes LT a serviceable backup and third down back. I really don't know how this is going to play out. Is LT's year last year a product of his skills eroding or that the Chargers can't run block anymore? Is Washington going to be here, and how will he be used? It will be interesting to watch. If all are healthy and play as years past, the running game will be excellent, and on third down, I envision a split backfield with LT and Washington....try to defend that.
I think that's a good idea. It's unknown if Greene will be able to hold up the entire season being the #1 guy. I know he got injured against the colts, does he have much of an injury history in college at all? If Greene goes down, LT probably isn't going to be able to cut it. Idk about Washington. However you could probably still get a guy like Blount in the 3rd. Or even Joique Bell or Stafon Johnson towards the end of the draft. IMO, it was a combination of LT's age/decline, along with crappy playcalling and bad run blocking (and numerous o-line injuries). He often got hit in the backfield last year. We also used the same predictable schemes. Either no movement on the line, or we brought the LG across.....and that was about it. If you give him a hole he still has pretty good straight ahead speed (although not enough to break a huge run). From week 15 of last year.
I now don't see the point of keeping Jones. Guy can't catch, and Greene can't either. Greene is replacing Jones NOT LT.
I like swapping TJ for LT. Where Jones needed a hole to produce LT can get the same production with a crease. I also wonder what the chances are that LT plays a bigger role as our slot receiver than as our 3rd down back. I can see him and Washington on the field at the same time causing all sorts of match-up problems for the defense.
Fits a great role coming out of the backfield on 3rd down. I think he'll pick us up some key 1st downs next year.
Hard to dislike it. I think I would've rather kept TJ, because he was building a hell of a career as a Jet and I would've liked to see how much longer he could go. But if he had to go, we're fortunate as hell to get Tomlinson to round out the roster. If this leads to the Jets letting Washington go for a 2nd rounder, I'll be severely disappointed. But if we go into '010 with Tomlinson, Washington and Greene on board, I could imagine us even topping last years totals for rushing attempts. I also like the idea of lining up with Washington and Tomlinson both on the field on passing downs, especially since we lack depth at WR. Even if we add a wideout in the draft, Washington could end up being our primary option out of the slot. The vote seems kind of pointless though. A lot of Jet fans who had loyalty to Jones and would've loved to keep him are obviously going to be excited about adding Tomlinson.
Keep in mind, Ryan's last year in Baltimore they used a 3 back rotation very successfully, I don't think that Leon is going to loose as many touches and Green is not going to get the huge number of touches the Jets starting RB's usually get. The goal is going to keep Greene as fresh and healthy as possible going into the playoffs next season. This move also buy's us another season to see what we have in Greene to determine what type of back to draft, either to compliment or carry the load if Greene is unable to prove that he can stay healthy for a full season. Long story short... good move.
I think LT will be better for us not only in the locker room but on the field also. Let not forget LT took less money to come to the Jets over the Vikes because he wants to win a SB. We can't say that for TJ he went to the damn Cheifs. So to me money was more inportant to TJ then winning.
I still see us needing to draft a running back - maybe the one out of UCONN in late rounds. If Greene gets hurt, who can do what he does? At this point in his career, Tomlinson is alot like Leon with his skills. With the addition of Tomlinson, I can see the front office parting with Leon if an offer is made. Something like a Leon and Cotchery deal to Denver for Marshall??? Not saying I'm for it, just wondering if something is up.
If someone tries to sign Leon to an offer sheet, I think we'll take the 2 now. The LT signing seems to me to be more about Leon's injury (and the questions that come with an injury like that) than it does about replacing TJ.
