The feeling all offseason has been that the Jets needed to add some depth at running-back with LT now gone, but its looking in training camp that we have 3 guys right now who can get some snaps come September 9th. Shonn is Shonn, Joe McKnight bulked up this offseason and has playmaking speed, and Bilal Powell has been turning heads with his play this camp. Maybe LT leaving is a good thing, giving these young guys the opportunity for more playing time early on and letting them develop their skills. I have a gut feeling about this group of backs with Sparano's guidance...I'm seeing big things. It could definitely be the best kept secret on this team (although Jets really don't keep anything secret). Thoughts?
Running back is a position that can work via a platoon... the prerequisite being that the team has an excellent run blocking offensive line. The Jets believe they have that so in theory the Jets should be just fine with the current group.
Its highly unlike this group will be a hidden strength (or an open strength). I do think they can be serviceable and compliment each other, which is really all we need. I would love for Powell to become a dependable starter since he seems to be the most versatile (running, receiving, and blocking) with McKnight working in as a change of pace. Run SG in the 4th quarter when we're trying to kill the clock.
No. It is, in fact, the weakest position on the offense, and that includes WR. Greene is a good but not great RB. He'll give you 4 ypc but his career long is 33 yards. McKnight is a special teams player. He may be a decent 3rd down back, but he is not the best blocker. Powell is being touted as the 3rd down back. Great. He had one good year at Louisville and showed very little last year. The coaching staff seems pleased with his progress but he is an unknown. Ganaway is a rookie who hasn't practiced yet.
While not classified as a RB it would be a mistake not to factor in #15 in the run game. Like him or not wtih the Broncos last year he led the team in rush td's and helped them to the top run game in the NFL. Wouldn't hurt to sign a vet at this point though for insurance. A lot of injuries.
I don't know about it being a strength, but i definitely do not see RB as a weakness. Greene will be #1 RB, and Tebow will be 2nd in carries. They are experienced and capable of bruising opponents. Connor will add to that element with some snaps at FB. Ganaway we'll need to see...likely just depth this year. Change of pace and 3rd downs is interesting. Ideally, McKnight would earn the role and add a good element of explosion. His propensity for fumbling, and ineffectiveness at pass protection though probably keeps him off the field. I expect Powell to see playing time this year, and perform well. Major question though, can any of these guys catch the rock? Play action will be major element this year, and we'll need backs (including FB) catching to make it effective.
Runningback is the easiest position in the NFL to find talent. I don't think it is out of the question that it could be a position of strength this season. People act like we need to find a premier back in order to have a successful running game in 2012, just because our joke of an OC gave up on the run in 2011. Greene is not a feature back, and does not need to be. The main problem with this scenario is the flux on the offensive line.
Nailed it with the last thing you said. Thomas Jones was mediocre before getting a great o-line ahead of him here with the Jets. You can have just a serviceable running back so long as it's a good o-line. That said, this corps of RB's are only going to go as far as the line takes them, quite literally.
You can never consider a position a strength when you have one above average player (Greene), and two unproven commodities ( McKnight and Powell). The potential may be there, but we need to see it in real games before we can be sure.
I have a hunch they'll still be hidden next offseason because we wont be able to run wherever we want this season and next season we'll need RG and RT (again). We don't need a feature back. We need a feature line. The line drives the run game and allows the QB to drive the passing.
RB is a strength? Based on what? Wishful thinking? Last season, the Jets rushing game was ranked 29th in yards per carry. That was with Tomlinson. Who did the Jets replace him with? A fifth or sixth rounder. A lot of these guys don't even make the team. If the Jets were going to be a pass-first offense like the Pats, having three mediocre RBs would probably be no big deal, but the Jets want to run a "ground and pound" offense when they do NOT have a dominant OL, and they don't have even one RB who could start on most NFL teams. That's a significant problem. Successful run-first teams need to have at least one, having both is best, but the Jets have NONE. Furthermore, the wildcat will be seriously compromised unless Tebow can improve as a passer. He's NOT a very good runner for anything except a QB. Certainly he's NOT in the Michael Vick/Cam Newton category either running or passing. The running game is NOT a "strength" of this team. Check out the stats from the run game in the green-white scrimmage. They're NOT pretty. I saw a .83 YPC posted somewhere. I don't know if that was for all the RBs or just for Greene, but in any event, it wasn't very promising.
How is YPC just on RB and not on the hurt offensive line? I don't think the WC is comprimised with Tebow, especially if they use him down at the GL. And it's based on Powell being a surprise, Tebow gonna be good at the GL (one of his few strengths in Denver), Greene being solid and steady. The run game could turn into a strength and there is a "?" at the top of the thread so its up in the air, just a possibility that we weren't expecting coming into the season
You mean the exact same Oline, with Shonn Greene leading the way, which averaged over 130 yds per game against Buffalo last year (and well over 200 yds the year before)? If they have a dismal running game, you must think your own defense is shite!:breakdance:
