Houston averaged 3.7 yards a carry last season behind a makeshift offensive line when defenses knew damn well we'd be trying to run the ball. He has good power and quickness. He didn't break any really big runs but consistantly picked up tough yards. I like him a lot. Oh yeah we also still have a guy named Curtis Martin or something like that? Granted he's in the twilight of his career, but c'mon he's a sure fire future hall of famer with gas left in the tank. I think this is a pretty good running back duo. We also have blaylock who is pretty quick and can hit the corners when healthy. Why is everyone saying we need to draft a running back?
Martin is just about finished. I would rather NOT have Blaylock as our insurance option. Houston showed some potential, and maybe can be a solid starter, but I don't really see him as more than a backup/change of pace back.
The jets dont have to worry about a rb. In this league if your oline is solid (ehich i think the jets are trying to sure up) any rb can break 1200 yards in this league. Come on look at the denver broncos. Build it and they will come
Good point. But it wouldn't hurt us to grab a back on day 1. It's not an IMMEDIATE need, but if one happens to fall to us (and he's the best player available) we should definately grab him. I'd rather see almost anyone in this draft share the backfield with Houston (i'm talking after Martin is gone) than Blaylock.
we dont need a RB this year, we have other thing that need to be addressed. Next year we should draft a RB high if houston is not what we all think he is capable of being
This is a tough call, I have to say I did like Houston last year but can he take the punishment of a full season, that my main concern. But as others have expressed in this thread I think we need so much more in this draft then a RB. Go Jets
Houston is good. Could be our starter. We need to draft O-line, and both Martin and Houston will prosper.
I would rather build the O-Line this year, see what Houston is capable of, and then decide what to do.
Exactly...shore up that O-line where they can actually hold a block and I guarantee you Houston can be a quality starter...he can deifintely break one arm tackles from what we've seen
I am not ready to say taht houston can be a starter. He had serious stamina issues due to his thyroid condition. He does have talent but lets see him handle more carries and monitor his stamina and progression.
I agree! Give HOUSTON a chance and BLAYLOCK too. Funny, but BLAYLOCK gets hurt and guys are down on him! HUH? The guy can play and has a ton of speed!
I'm with you on this. I actually think we'll see CMart have a pretty damn good year and if we have a healthy and improved OL and dare I add a passing game I think all our RBs will be effective when they see the field.
Exactly. I think Houston is a nice player to have on your roster, but youd rather have something better taking 25 carries a game. I think Curtis has another two seasons of productivity in him, so we dont really need to draft a RB per se... but if a talented back falls to us at 29, well take him. Bank on it.
Houston should get a shot this year to be our featured back. If he dosn't open up eyes, then we should draft a RB in 2007.
I like Cedric Houston, and I think he's a tough runner with some upside. With that in mind, I'm not passing up a feature back this year if we're in a position to get one simply because we have Cedric Houston on roster. -X-
Houston has more talent than his draft position would tell you. We all know about his thyroid condition, that took him from being a round two type of pick, down to a round six pick. He deserves a chance so we can see what he can do.
You're missing the point. We have NEEDS not wants. I know White or Williams would most likely fill our running back needs for years, but it's not a logical way to spend a high pick right now. We have apects of our offense that need to be repaired, rather than upgraded.
I'm not particularly missing the point. While we do have needs, to dismiss running back as one of these needs is ludicrous. Premium talent at the running back position is something you simply don't pass up. You're not going to win many game with two running backs who can't carry for 4 plus yards per. -X-
Agreed you need a running game averaging more than 4 to be sucessfull but consider the fact that our O-line was in shambles and our QB was Brooks Bollinger when you think about the 3.7 yards per carry. Curtis averaged 4.6 in 2004 but only 3.3 in 2005. Did he lose that much in a year? Probably not.
