I totally agree. Running back is probably the easiest position in the NFL to fill in short notice. Also, one would hope that the Jets wouldn't need Chatman much in the 1st four games anyway. I mean, if he wasn't suspended, who here really thinks he would have gotten more than a tiny handful (maybe 5?) of meaningful carries in the first 4 regular season games anyway??? (I think there is even a chance he would have gotten zero) Also, I think the Jets are still primarily a PASSING team. I think we have all seen the drastically improved pass protection in the pre-season as being perhaps the biggest improvement on the entire team from last year to this year. With a top tier NFL quarterback throwing to a very good receiving core (Perhaps the most underrated receiving core in the NFL), I expect the Jets to be a top ten passing team this season. While I think Thomas Jones is a nice running back, I think people are overestimating his value on this board. He will be a solid running back like he always is (1200+ yards, 4 yds a carry) and our running game will be solid. But our passing game will be our true strength on offense. (Particularly, our intermediete passing game - I think we will see Schotty's spread shotgum formations employed constantly along with a lot of two TE formations where we run to set up play action passing)
The only reason I doubt this is because I think we will want to utilize the best run blocking fullback in football (Richardson) as much as possible. So I actually think you will see a lot of power I formations with 2TEs and TJ and Richardson in the backfield. You will see a lot of play action passing out of these formations. Although, I fully expect on passing downs for Schotty to be using his typical shotgun spread formations witih a single back and a lot of intermediate passing.
I think he is being sarcastic. Maybe? Just because we had a poor preseason running the ball doesn't mean it will not pick up in the regular season.
I like Richardson, but the guy is up there in years. I don't see him being the type of player with enough in the tank to give us an I formation all day long.
I was hoping Richardson could be a mentor to a promising young FB. But we don't have one on the roster (unless you count Caulcrick on the practice squad).
I don't see why you wouldn't. PS players still practice with their respective core units during coaching sessions. He could learn a lot from Richardson.
I wish I was being sarcastic. If you look back at the threads after we got Faneca and Woody, all the talk was about how the Jets would be able to become a "power" running team. Favre comes along and where did this power running game go ? I didn't catch a sniff of it during the pre-season. Then we only keep 2 Rbs and a FB. And as far as 4 TE, 1 is a long snapper, 1 is a rookie who is more of a hybrid TE/WR than a bruiser, 1 is old and 1 is disgruntled. That's why I think the season hinges on Favre's arm. I hope I'm wrong and that the running game develops as hoped. But I'd still feel better with a good 3rd RB.
How about Tatum Bell? He needs a job.. But don't any of Cedric Benson's phone calls. Just ask Thomas Jones.
You make good points. I agree, I hope the offense isn't one sided. You need to be able to do more than just chuck the ball all day.
Before Favre we were going to go with Chad or Kellen at QB. Both of those guys would have benefitted from having a strong rushing offense. But Favre doesn't really need that to succeed. If we had wanted a bruising rushing attack we would have kept Caulcrick and Pociask on the active roster. Instead we've got 7 WR. So you know we're going to be throwing the ball all over the place. Which we should to get the most out of Favre.
I guess I'm just old fashioned. The passing game is exciting but I prefer the running game. I get more of a thrill watching a talented back break through the line for a long run than I do for a long pass. I like ball control and being able to pound the other team's defense at will. On a penalty free pass play, only 3 things can happen and 2 of them are bad ! Remember how many passes Joe Namath threw in the second half of SB III ? Zero !
I love the power rushing game as well. Nothing better then just hammering your opponents with talented backs and huge linemen. It's completely demoralizing for the defense to get their asses kicked play after play. The power running game just wears the defense down. And controls the clock. It's my favorite offense to watch. But the way this team has been configured I don't think the power rushing game is our goal. It's Air Favre all the way.
I disagree. Jets have to find a way to run the ball consistantly. You can't try to live off of a Arm of a 38 year old QB. You try to do that and there is a good chance # 4 not going to make it through the season. Going to take too many hits. Also another thing to remember is Damien Woody is a liability in pass protection.
You just said that the Iron Man of football won't make it through the season. The madden curse is the only thing that can take down Brett Favre.
Yea Jets try to be a pass first team and don't try to use the running game to take some pressure off of Favre . YEs the iron man streak will be over. Hes 38 years old and his body can't hold up to the hits, he would take playing that way. Anyone 38 years old or older, knows what Im'm talking about.
