Jets Positional Analysis: Running Back
First a few updates:
1. I'm already tired of hearing about Brett Favre and he hasn't even officially signed with the Vikings yet.
2. There hasn't been any news about Thomas Jones and Leon Washington's ongoing contract negoitations and I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. All I know is that training camp starts in 5 weeks and they both better be there since they are the Jets two best skill position players. You have had a good off-season Mike Tannenbaum, don't ruin it now by not working something out with your two pro-bowl running backs.
3. I am really getting a kick out of all the controversy Eric Mangini is causing in Cleveland. A 10 hour mandatory bus ride for rookies? Not allowing coaches to wear sun glasses? Painting over a mural of famous Cleveland players? It sounds like they hate him over there. Honestly, I supported Mangini through his time here and thought he took the fall for Brett Favre. I did hate his press conferences but I thought he had a good football mind, but Cleveland seems destined for a 5 win season this year so you have to wonder how long he will last out there. His approach is only tolerable when your team is winning games.
4. You will have to excuse the lack of pictures in this article, I am having some technical issues with storage space that should be sorted out soon.
Over the next 6 weeks, I am going to go through all of the Jets positions and assess each player, continuing today with the running backs:
1. Thomas Jones #20, Last Season: 290 carries, 1,312 yards, 13 rushing touchdowns. 36 receptions, 207 yards, 2 receiving touchdowns.
History: After a disappointing 2007 season, Jones took advantage of a revamped offensive line to have a career year in 2008. He was a workhorse for the Jets last season and showed an ability to get tough yards in crucial situations, along with the versatility to be an important part of the passing game. He sat out of voluntary activities this off-season and is ignoring the media at mandatory practices in protest of his current contract. The dispute is still ongoing, although Jones is expected at training camp.
Chance of Making Roster: 100% (If Not Traded)
Best Case Scenario for 2009: The Jets work out some type of deal to keep Jones happy and he produces at a similar level to the 2008 season. If Rex Ryan wants to win his way, he needs a healthy and focused Thomas Jones pounding on opposing defenses.
Worst Case Scenario for 2009: The contract dispute gets ugly and Jones is traded away for a late round draft pick.
Prediction: Something is worked out to keep Jones in New York for 2009. He has another good year, but not quite to the level of 2008 due to increased role for Leon Washington and the selection of Shonn Greene. He finishes with 1100-1200 yards with 7-10 touchdowns.
2. Leon Washington #29, Last Season: 76 carries for 448 yards, 6 rushing touchdowns. 47 receptions for 355 yards, 2 receiving touchdowns.
History: Washington remained the Jets top playmaker in 2008, building on a very good 2007 season. He made the pro-bowl as a kick returner on top of his offensive production. He ripped off long touchdowns against Buffalo, Kansas City, New England, and Tennessee last season displaying his ability to score at any time. He is also currently unhappy with his contract but did appear at voluntary workouts and is talking to the media. Hopefully, the Jets can work out a long term deal with him.
Chance of Making Roster: 100%
Best Case Scenario for 2009: Washington receives a long term deal. He is given more touches on offense leading to more big plays for the Jets, while remaining a pro-bowl caliber kick returner.
Worst Case Scenario for 2009: The contract dispute turns ugly, leading to Washington missing a large portion of training camp and potentially even a game or two, damaging the development of the Jets young offense.
Prediction: The Jets give Washington his long term extension, they'd be stupid not to. He receives more carries and receptions on offense, as the Jets run the ball even more than they did last season and he steps up to help fill the void left by Laveranues Coles and Chris Baker.
3. Shonn Greene #23, Rookie: Drafted in the Third Round
History: The Jets traded away multiple picks to move up to the top of third round to get Greene, showing how highly they think of him. Greene was the 2008 Doak Walker Award Winner at Iowa, given to the best running back in the nation.
Best Case Scenario for 2009: He develops a role on the Jets offense as a short yardage/goal-line back and learns behind Thomas Jones. Greene finds a way to get 5-8 touches a game and helps wear defenses down in the fourth quarter. After Thomas Jones leaves next year, he is ready to step up and split carries with Leon Washington.
Worst Case Scenario for 2009: Greene either gets hurt or struggles so much in camp that he can't stay on the active roster.
Prediction: Greene will be on the active roster and get a few touches a game on offense. Although I think it will be hard to get him ball after already dividing carries between Jones and Washington. It is going to be hard to take carries away from Jones in short yardage situations after the success he had last year.
4. Tony Richardson #49 (Starting Fullback), Last Season: 10 carries for 65 yards, 1 Reception for 4 yards. Many, Many Men blocked.
History: Richardson is a pro-bowl caliber fullback and made a big difference in the Jets short yardage game last season. It was a great move by the Jets bringing him back this season, anybody who watches them play knows how valuable he is to their offense.
Best Case Scenario for 2009: He stays healthy and keeps blocking the way he always has.
Worst Case Scenario for 2009: He gets hurt and the Jets short yardage problems surface again.
Prediction: I got faith in T-Rich to do the job he always has throughout his career.
5. Danny Woodhead #22, Last Season: Injured
History: Woodhead was a dominant player in Division II during his college career. He received alot of work this off-season with Thomas Jones and Leon Washington skipping practices. Despite a lack of size, he has great speed and ran tough in OTA's. He was having a good training camp last year before hurting his foot and going on IR.
Chance of Making Roster: 50%
Best Case Scenario for 2009: Woodhead makes the roster by carving out a role on special teams and flashing enough big play ability on offense to merit some occasional touches. His biggest problem is that the Jets have a guy named Leon Washington who does what he does, except much better. Unless Washington or Jones gets hurt, he isn't going to see many touches this season if he makes the team.
Worst Case Scenario for 2009: He struggles in training camp and is cut.
Prediction: I think he ends up on the practice squad. His best chance of making the active roster is by finding a role on special teams, which could be hard with guys like Wallace Wright and Brad Smith taking spots he would probably excel at.
6. Jehuu Caulcrick #39, Last Season: Practice Squad
History: The Jets picked him up as a UDFA last year. He stayed on the practice squad all season. Caulcrick has good size and has been used as combo FB/RB. A few people have compared him to Le'Ron McClain when talking about him. I'm sure if Rex Ryan sees that, he will find a way to keep Caulcrick around until T-Rich retires or Jones moves on.
Best Case Scenario for 2009: He makes the roster as a special teams player and finds a way to contribute in short yardage situations. He proves he could be an adequate replacement for Tony Richardson when he retires.
Worst Case Scenario for 2009: He gets cut.
Prediction: I think he has a better chance of making the roster than Woodhead. If the Jets keep 5 running backs, I think he'll be the 5th.
Overall Position Analysis: Jones, Washington, Richardson, and Greene are all locks to make the roster with Woodhead and Caulcrick battling for a potential fifth spot, that may or may not be there. I know I may sound a little too optimistic about Jones and Washington's contract negoiations but I just don't see the Jets being dumb enough not to have both those guys back and happy this year after the seasons they had in 2008.
Author Joe CaporosoPosted on June 22, 2009 Categories Holdouts, Mini-Camp, New York Jets, NFL Draft, Offense, Opinion, Positional BreakdownTags Brett Favre, Danny Woodhead, Eric Mangini, Jehuu Caulcrick, Leon Washington, Mike Tannenbaum, Rex Ryan, Shonn Greene, Thomas Jones, Tony Richardson
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