It’s Time to See Cedric Houston
Andrew Gross writes an article today about Cedric Houston, and whether the Jets should consider using him. With the running game as anemic as it has been in the past two games, one would hope they would give him a shot. It’s not like the Jets are going to miss Derrick Blaylock’s 1.72 YPC average. Some commenters here at TJB think Houston will be the starter by the end of the season, I don’t agree with that, but I do think that a piece of sheetrock could carry the ball better than Blaylock right now.
I understand that this isn’t just about Blaylock, the whole team has to work better together and that special teams considerations do play into a player being active for a game, but at this point, I have seen enough of Blaylock to know that I would like to see what’s behind Door Number Two.
If the Jets could wave a magic wand and activate Curtis Martin today, Houston might be the first to go, but if the team is going to keep FOUR running backs on the roster, obviously they think that he has some value … why not give him a chance to show what he can do?
Filed under: Main Page, Opinion/Bassett
I remember watching Cedric Houston at the end of last year, and I was pleasantly suprised. He wasn’t flashy, but he was a very gritty runner who seemed to give his all every carry. I honestly think he is the best RB option we have right now, and he should be getting at least 8-10 carries per game.
He may be our best ball carrier (I don’t personally believe so, but we do need runners that can move the pile with this OL and that isn’t Derrick) but unless he can pass protect, Houston won’t get on the field. I have to say though that Blaylock was awful in this area too on Sunday. That doesn’t automatically mean that Houston won’t be even worse, of course!
The best and worst blitz pick ups I have seen this season from a RB came on consecutive plays in the Miami game. McGahee was just being lauded by the announcers for the job he did on the previous play when he whiffed completely on a block (not even seeming to make any effort) and gave up an easy sack.
I agree with you about Blaylock, the guy cannot be an every down back, but our offensive line is simply not run blocking well. We have been without Pete Kendall and have three very inexperienced guys starting on the line. This has to factor in at some point. I know Blaylock could run harder and Barlow has been up and down, but let’s look at the bigger picture here. If there are not holes or lanes to run through, how can you have a running game. Our backs need room to run, which they’ve only had on rare occasions this season. I’m up for giving Houston a shot, but it all starts on the line of scrimmage and we’ve been getting hammered the past two weeks, loosing the battle. Also we need to give the running game more of a shot, I think Barlow only had 15 carries on Sunday and the rest went to Blaylock. Atleast stick with one guy and try to get some rhythm going.
Assuming that the OL will get healthy with Teague and Kendall and the guy from Miami (Smith?), the real problem is lack of talent. Houston runs hard and can be a load to tackle at the second level, but he does not have much elusiveness. Barlow has the same style, but more moves (although I’d like to see Barlow hit the hole a little quicker). Blaylock can’t get through the line, but he does have speed and elusiveness at the second level. And, we just don’t know what Washington can do as a runner, but we do know that he’s awful at blitz pick up. As I see it, the Jets have 4 runners with 2 styles. Houston and Barlow are very similar as are Blaylock and Washington. If we really think we have a chance this season, I say try to trade for a back. Soon the Titans will have 1 back too many and there may be other teams that are willing to deal a spare RB (judging from the Raiders season thus far, Al Davis should jump at the chance to get a no. 2 for Lamont…I know, the salary cap hit makes it virtually impossible, but I can dream, can’t I?).
Jordan really hasn’t done a lot this year and he definitely wore out his welcome here at the end. I don’t know if the team would welcome him back even if the cap number was low. Then again, it could have been all Herm’s fault and Jordan would work better with Mangini. we’ll never know.
I’d be surprised to see the Jets signing any other RBs this season unless we have more injuries at that position. I would say that Mangini should bench Blaylock in favor of Barlow or Houston. Blaylock just has not shown me anything. His hesitation at the line is killing our drives. I’d even consider subbing in Smith on occasion or even an athlete like Vilma (a-la Mike Vrabel/Dan Klecko on the Pats) for a change of pace on a critical play. At least then we might get some speed and elusiveness.
Bent, this makes two games that Blaylock missed blocks on passing downs, rushed for less than 2 ypc. No one mentioned the pass that he had in his hands and could not hold onto when challenged by the defender.
Barlow in both games has averaged just over 3 ypc (50% more for those deficient in math). Any way you could find out what Blaylock has on the coaching staff that has earned him PT?
Tangini said the best players would play but this has not been the case at RB.
Harlan
BTW, don’t get me started on Askew who is a BJ anyone would sense would turn down. Why he is on the team I have no idea.
We won’t find anyone significantly better than Barlow in a trade. If this unit is to improve, it could come from Martin’s return, an improvement in OL play, Ced/Leon earning the trust of the CS and showing their worth or a step up in effort from Barlow/Blaylock. Varying degrees of probability, but hopefully one of them falls into place.
Not playing the Pats every week will help. Mind you, the Bills are pretty solid up front too.
My take is that Ced moves the pile, Washington is the fastest and Barlow is the best all-rounder. DB must just have some revealing photos of EM or something, because he has shown nothing since leaving the Chiefs.
The reason CH and LW haven’t factored in yet must be because the CS doesn’t fully trust them yet (to not fumble, commit penalties, miss blocking assignments, etc). Not entirely unexpected, given their inexperience and the complexity of some of our sets. Hopefully, they’ll get there – and contribute well when they do.
Houston is SLOWWWWW and can not block, and Washington is a midget who gives good effort but is way too small to play every down.
I like Houston’s effort but he is not the answer.
Pick either Barlow (my pick) or Blaylock and play them every down so they can get some rhythm, they have both been successful for multi game stretches in the past for other teams.
Here are the lifetime stats of the runners on the roster
Barlow 4.0 yds per carry, 916 carries for a terrible team
Blaylock, 4.1 yds per, 198 carries behind best line in football
Houston, 3.7 yds per in 81 carries
Askew, 4.1 yds per in a small sample
Barlow deserves to be the full time running back, give him 30 carries this week and see what happens.
In defense of Lamont, the Raiders might go 0-16 this season. They are awful and their OL is especially putrid. Also, Lamont has a legit gripe with Hermway for every season saying they would work him into the RB mix and, then, over-working C-Mart. IMO, Lamont on this Jets team would raise us to, at least, 9-7 territory. But, I agree with Bent that an in-season trade is unlikely.