From what I've read on the kid, he had problems staying on the field at USC because of his grades. It seems like he had the same problems as Greene. He's 6'1 and 225, and he's supposed to be a hard runner. Tanny has already said this past week they are high on his potential. Take that for what it's worth, but for the money he might be worth 2-5 carries/game. I do however agree with you on Woodhead. I've seen enough of him getting plastered in the backfield.
If rumors of Mike Bell being let go are true, that's the guy I want as our #3. No need to go crazy here. If you're getting Westbrook or LT, you obviously are not getting them to be your 3rd or even your 2nd RB, and I don't want them.
The biggest thing people have to ask themselves is this... Will these veterans accept a LIMITED role. Keep in mind, Tanny isn't willing to pay 3 million or whatever to Jones, which means these other vets aren't going to be offered much more than veteran minimum. Even if their contracts are incentive laden, they aren't going to get the touches to meet those incentives (barring injury).
Agreed, I'm high on Bell as well. He has some injury issues, but he wouldn't be expected to carry the load. What's also nice about Bell is the fact that if Leon leaves next year, Bell is still fairly young. Come 2011, we may only have Greene as a back. RB is a way bigger need than people are admitting to right now. BTW- I voted for draft. I'd like to add Blount or Toby back there with Greene.
Players that do nothing in college are guys I tend to believe will do nothing in the pros, even if his college concerns might have been mostly injury related. He was a star recruit coming into college, but it just never showed up on the field even for the brief moments he was healthy (and academically eligible). I mean right now the price is right if he's going to realize that talent, but I just wouldn't expect anything from him right now, even as a #3.
His problems were mostly academic. The injuries that he had were minor, and most likely attributed to keeping him off the field (being academically eligible, but not "ready" to come back yet). He did have a good season in 2007, and he split carries with 2 other decent backs that year. I'm not saying he's going to be a stud. But, he's cheap, and he might be able to fill the role of #3.
Jones is being replaced by Greene, Greene's role replaced by Leon. This role is going to be the same capacity as Greene's role prior to Leon's injury.
The thing is he's already been replaced by what's on our roster. It was only last season that people were saying Leon Washington is the Jets best and most dynamic player. Sure there's concern with the injury, but he will hopefully be that same player again. Factor in the emergence of Shonn Greene, and I completely get this move. You have a more than capable one-two punch, get your best players on the field, and if you can save somewhere and patch somewhere else, it makes complete sense. We just need an okay #3 guy that can hopefully step up in case of an injury. This is why I want Mike Bell. The guy isn't great, but he has experience, starting experience, and is decent enough to hold down the fort if he had to. Oh, and he was only a rookie a couple years ago. I can't think of a better fit than a guy like that.
LenDale White? From the list of available guys, LenDale White's name stood out to me. Too expensive? Too similar to Shonn Greene? Figured I'd throw his name out there. I'm not familiar with Mike Bell.
I think ppl seriously underestimate the value of Thomas Jones. No way Greene has a good season next year without another legitimate back in the rotation.
White seems like the type of guy who wouldn't accept that limited of a role. He seems like a headcase to me.
Bell is by no means anything special, but he can hold his own. I think he's better than Lendale and I tend to see Lendale's 2008 season as a major fluke. To give you a little history, Bell was drafted by the Broncos 4 years ago, and to everyone's surprise, handed the starting gig (he was a late rounder I believe). I mean, he shared carries quite a bit so he only amassed 600+ yds, but score 8 TDs at a 4.3 ypc clip. Sat the bench for a couple years for Denver then New Orleans, then had a pretty low-key season this year spelling Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, but didn't do half bad and had a couple of solid games when injuries piled up for them.
Leon's not that legitimate back? And I don't know about you, but I don't think you can say that with confidence after those playoffs. I'm not saying he's going to definitely be great, but it's tough to make a claim that he definitely won't. I think Greene can step right into Jones' shoes. I really think our biggest benefit is that o-line in front of these guys. I think Greene can step right in without missing a beat, and then we've got homerun threat Leon right behind him. I'm more excited for that combo than I was with TJones.
In no way shape or form do I think losing TJ is beneficial (football wise). His leadership, and solid play will be missed. But, it's a business when it comes down to it. Tanny is rolling the dice, and betting on TJ falling off the cliff. We have one of the best offensive lines in football, and TJ has taken advantage of that line. So saying Greene won't be as successful seems baseless. TJ doesn't even have the vision or patience that Greene possesses. TJ is a solid back, but Greene has homerun potential, and the FO is banking on that. That said, I do agree we need someone "just in case". Which is what I thought Jones would be this season. But, since he's going to be cut, it's time to look forward with what he DO have.
Bell was not drafted in part due to character issues. He actually only started 3 games that year- the three that Tatum Bell did not play. Mike Bell had 157 carries and Tatum Bell had 233. The next year Mike Shanahan moved Mike Bell to fullback. That didn't work out very well and Mike Bell was buried on the depth chart. He resurfaced in New Orleans in 2008, but again didn't do much. In 2009 he received regular playing time once again. He had a couple big games at the beginning of the season when Pierre Thomas was injured. I'm sure the Saints feel that Lynell Hamilton can assume Bell's role in 2010.
Right on point. He's not superman, but he runs hard, and he's been in the 3 role before. If he isn't looking for much, he would fit right in.
My mistake, I was just looking at the numbers instead of reaching into my memory banks. I forgot about the switch to FB. I thought he started most of the 2006 season but I guess I was wrong. I do remember him getting the job out of camp though and being very surprised about it. Did not know anything about Mike Bell's character concerns though. That's all news to me, but you gotta think that there's gotta be an issue there with how his career's gone so far. You don't draft a guy, move him to another position the next year, and then trade him the year after just for the hell of it. I still like him a lot for this team, hopefully those character concerns are dead and gone.
Greene is not only going to have a good season, he's going to far exceed what Jones did. Not knocking Jones, just saying that Greene is a better runner at this point in their careers.
