With the lockout in place, NFL Network has been showing alot of their series "top ten.." re-runs. It had me thinking about some intriguing Jet debates that deserve some discussion. I think Rex installing a "ground and pound" philosophy combined with drafting Shonn Greene were crucial for this team reaching the next level. If you think about it, with Matt Snell and John Riggins, this team was built on a power running game. It's also a style of play that works nicely with a Ryan defense and a windy Meadowlands. Who's the best power running back in Jets History? Edit: If any of the TGG historians like Junc or Cakes feel like I'm missing a key player, feel free to mention.
Kind of insulting to have Shonn Greene up there. The guy has 1300 yards and 4 tds for his career. Which isnt a kick to him, but he hasnt even begun his career yet. I mean hes got 1 season where he was the 3rd back on the depth chart, and then a year as backup to LT that he had some rough patches. If you wanna bring him into the picture in 5-10 years thats one thing, but cmonnnnn
i voted brad baxter because i never saw snell or riggins play for the jets and shonn greene has no business in this poll. johnny hector would have been a very good addition to this poll. as there really arent too many big backs that were any good in jets history...
he was the power side of the duo with freeman mcneil. while he wasnt a huge man he ran hard and was a short yardage specialist. although i see your side, he wasnt the true power back
i guess it all depends on how you look at it. paige was a fullback and not really a ball carrier. i was thinking about ball carriers. there just werent very many guys through jets history that were like natrone means, jerome bettis or earl campbell.
I think it would have to be Snell, Riggins wasn't here long enough, Baxter was just a short yardage guy and Greene's career is too short.
Snell has to be the choice here. 3 time Pro-Bowler and a Super Bowl win. Baxter and Hector were never great. Riggins, Vick, and Paige had short stints with the Jets. Lastly, Greene hasn't had a long enough career to count him.
I wouldn't call Hector a pwer back, he was like Tomlinson in that he was great in short yardage but it was usually his athleticism in diving over the top rather than powering through on the goal line.
Considering without Matt Snell we likely don't win that Super Bowl, I gotta go with him. 121 yards rushing and our only TD. On the second play of that game Snell knocked the shit out of the Colts safety who was trying to tackle him. He never returned to the game. That's the definition of power running.
