Comments on: Know Your Role: Running Back Thomas Jones http://www.thejetsblog.com/2007/07/05/know-your-role-running-back/ Ranting and Raving about the Gang Green Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:20:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: billvv http://www.thejetsblog.com/2007/07/05/know-your-role-running-back/#comment-28229 billvv Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:03:28 +0000 http://thejetsblog.com/?p=2312#comment-28229 Do not miss the Adam Schein piece on "the Jones." This says it all. Do not miss the Adam Schein piece on “the Jones.” This says it all.

]]> By: billvv http://www.thejetsblog.com/2007/07/05/know-your-role-running-back/#comment-28228 billvv Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:55:14 +0000 http://thejetsblog.com/?p=2312#comment-28228 Another unmentioned attribute that TJ brings to the O is as a blocking back. The play-action-pass requires that of that position and I feel he will be MUCH better than last years quartet. Add a better blocking FB and you have to respect the two options, where last year they did not. Bears did not disguise their intentions to run. Not much reason to throw to TJ. Jets will change that! We'll see if his balance when first hit is the problem it's made out to be. Otherwise, I expect to see guys run over! The PAP allows for longer pass completions and I also feel CP will surprise Ds with his strength and touch. Glad to have the Pats first for that reason alone! Another unmentioned attribute that TJ brings to the O is as a blocking back. The play-action-pass requires that of that position and I feel he will be MUCH better than last years quartet. Add a better blocking FB and you have to respect the two options, where last year they did not.

Bears did not disguise their intentions to run. Not much reason to throw to TJ. Jets will change that! We’ll see if his balance when first hit is the problem it’s made out to be. Otherwise, I expect to see guys run over!

The PAP allows for longer pass completions and I also feel CP will surprise Ds with his strength and touch. Glad to have the Pats first for that reason alone!

]]> By: Harlan Lachman http://www.thejetsblog.com/2007/07/05/know-your-role-running-back/#comment-28210 Harlan Lachman Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:28:34 +0000 http://thejetsblog.com/?p=2312#comment-28210 Bent, screwed up the name. Thanks for correcting my mistake on Haynes. I am glad we agree on the OL. I guess I was merely pointing out that although it is apparent to all of us that TJ was a steal and major upgrade, in truth, all of us are assuming that Leon is either a one year wonder, third down back or something other than a franchise back -- in spite of a fairly decent season for a 4th round rook. Wouldn't be a bad thing if he proves to be the better back in the long run. Harlan Bent, screwed up the name. Thanks for correcting my mistake on Haynes.

I am glad we agree on the OL.

I guess I was merely pointing out that although it is apparent to all of us that TJ was a steal and major upgrade, in truth, all of us are assuming that Leon is either a one year wonder, third down back or something other than a franchise back — in spite of a fairly decent season for a 4th round rook.

Wouldn’t be a bad thing if he proves to be the better back in the long run.

Harlan

]]> By: RK http://www.thejetsblog.com/2007/07/05/know-your-role-running-back/#comment-28206 RK Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:10:22 +0000 http://thejetsblog.com/?p=2312#comment-28206 All of last year I was screaming at the Television asking "Why don't they run Leon more?!?" He clearly was the best on the team last year and this year TJ will make him even better. Leon needs to add a little more weight and leg strength and in a couple of years, or in an injury situation, he'll be a good starter. I don't think anyone can say Tiki-like yet but it's not impossible. With that said, TJ is the best back on the team at present and it's going to be fun watching the tandem. The PK situation is regrettable and I think he's more of an asset but I don't think he destroys the team by leaving. It's hard to lose a starting OL when a new running back is in town. It would be better if he stayed and maybe he will but that's doubtful. Imagine last year some were hoping and praying for 8-8 and a decent year. The running game was embarassing in `06 and they still made the playoffs...rookie coach, rookie LT and C, you know the list. This year there are fans thinking they can't make it back to 10-6. With a real running game they should match that number unless other teams improved so much that the Jets are way behind. But improved run stopping, hopefully (they can't get much worse), will put them in better position to win. Fortunately the Jets don't play the Jaguars this year. With a comeback in Cleveland the Jets might have been 11-5...imagine that. All of last year I was screaming at the Television asking “Why don’t they run Leon more?!?” He clearly was the best on the team last year and this year TJ will make him even better. Leon needs to add a little more weight and leg strength and in a couple of years, or in an injury situation, he’ll be a good starter. I don’t think anyone can say Tiki-like yet but it’s not impossible. With that said, TJ is the best back on the team at present and it’s going to be fun watching the tandem.

The PK situation is regrettable and I think he’s more of an asset but I don’t think he destroys the team by leaving. It’s hard to lose a starting OL when a new running back is in town. It would be better if he stayed and maybe he will but that’s doubtful.

Imagine last year some were hoping and praying for 8-8 and a decent year. The running game was embarassing in `06 and they still made the playoffs…rookie coach, rookie LT and C, you know the list. This year there are fans thinking they can’t make it back to 10-6. With a real running game they should match that number unless other teams improved so much that the Jets are way behind. But improved run stopping, hopefully (they can’t get much worse), will put them in better position to win. Fortunately the Jets don’t play the Jaguars this year. With a comeback in Cleveland the Jets might have been 11-5…imagine that.

]]> By: Bent http://www.thejetsblog.com/2007/07/05/know-your-role-running-back/#comment-28203 Bent Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:42:27 +0000 http://thejetsblog.com/?p=2312#comment-28203 Hicks has less chance of making the team than Haynes IMO. Are you mixing up your longshot retread DEs beginning with H, Harlan? Or do you rate Hicks as a potential starter? I think the best thing about the Jones addition is that Washington can become the 3rd down back which as I've been saying all along is the role he was born for. I actually think we've upgraded our feature back AND our third down back. OL is the key though, as everyone above points out. Hicks has less chance of making the team than Haynes IMO. Are you mixing up your longshot retread DEs beginning with H, Harlan? Or do you rate Hicks as a potential starter?

I think the best thing about the Jones addition is that Washington can become the 3rd down back which as I’ve been saying all along is the role he was born for. I actually think we’ve upgraded our feature back AND our third down back.

OL is the key though, as everyone above points out.

]]> By: Brandon "You're With Me"riwether http://www.thejetsblog.com/2007/07/05/know-your-role-running-back/#comment-28200 Brandon "You're With Me"riwether Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:07:30 +0000 http://thejetsblog.com/?p=2312#comment-28200 I think that TJ is an EASY upgrade over all of the 06 RB's. Sure, you can speculate on what if Leon becomes the next tiki, but he's not right now - and that's all that matters (for now). The thing I love most about TJ's addition is the respect that defenses will now be forced to pay to a running threat. How sweet it will be when chad is able to play action fake and the linebackers/safeteys actually bite on it! I expect the middle to really open up for coles, crotch, and baker. I think that TJ is an EASY upgrade over all of the 06 RB’s. Sure, you can speculate on what if Leon becomes the next tiki, but he’s not right now – and that’s all that matters (for now).

The thing I love most about TJ’s addition is the respect that defenses will now be forced to pay to a running threat. How sweet it will be when chad is able to play action fake and the linebackers/safeteys actually bite on it! I expect the middle to really open up for coles, crotch, and baker.

]]> By: Harlan Lachman http://www.thejetsblog.com/2007/07/05/know-your-role-running-back/#comment-28190 Harlan Lachman Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:48:38 +0000 http://thejetsblog.com/?p=2312#comment-28190 It is hard to say TJ is an upgrade over a rookie (who may be a one hit wonder or could develop into a Tiki B/Warwick Dunn mini back). Besides, I am not sure how important the RB position will be in '07. I think the big story of '07 will be the play of our lines. Either Tangini got it right with their assessment of Clement, Moore, Kendall and those other bodies not named Mangold and Brick or they didn't. Either DeWayne, Ellis, and Kenyon or Hicks will anchor our line for the next several years or be an anchor on our team. Our OL will likely determine our running game and Chad's longevity and our DL will likely determine our run D. I still bemoan not upgrading the OLine this offseason. I am too old not to hope Tangini knew what they were doing. If they did, the Jets will surprise once again. If they did not, with this schedule it will get ugly. And if they sorta did we will have a sorta season. harlan It is hard to say TJ is an upgrade over a rookie (who may be a one hit wonder or could develop into a Tiki B/Warwick Dunn mini back). Besides, I am not sure how important the RB position will be in ’07.

I think the big story of ’07 will be the play of our lines. Either Tangini got it right with their assessment of Clement, Moore, Kendall and those other bodies not named Mangold and Brick or they didn’t. Either DeWayne, Ellis, and Kenyon or Hicks will anchor our line for the next several years or be an anchor on our team.

Our OL will likely determine our running game and Chad’s longevity and our DL will likely determine our run D.

I still bemoan not upgrading the OLine this offseason. I am too old not to hope Tangini knew what they were doing. If they did, the Jets will surprise once again. If they did not, with this schedule it will get ugly. And if they sorta did we will have a sorta season.

harlan

]]> By: zenlaw http://www.thejetsblog.com/2007/07/05/know-your-role-running-back/#comment-28182 zenlaw Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:54:15 +0000 http://thejetsblog.com/?p=2312#comment-28182 There is no question that TJ is an upgrade at a key skill position. Moreover, he leads by example and will be a strong locker room presence...something this team needs with the loss of Martin. July is such a long month.... There is no question that TJ is an upgrade at a key skill position. Moreover, he leads by example and will be a strong locker room presence…something this team needs with the loss of Martin.

July is such a long month….

]]> By: Bassett http://www.thejetsblog.com/2007/07/05/know-your-role-running-back/#comment-28080 Bassett Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:24:09 +0000 http://thejetsblog.com/?p=2312#comment-28080 Hi just as a note, I was talking about DPAR for Jones' receptions. As a whole, he's a much better back, and I think he will benefit from working with Chad as opposed to the Sex Cannon Hi just as a note, I was talking about DPAR for Jones’ receptions. As a whole, he’s a much better back, and I think he will benefit from working with Chad as opposed to the Sex Cannon

]]> By: SackDance99 http://www.thejetsblog.com/2007/07/05/know-your-role-running-back/#comment-28074 SackDance99 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:45:11 +0000 http://thejetsblog.com/?p=2312#comment-28074 I am a bit more optimistic about Jones' prospects with the Jets. First, with all due respect to FO, is there a way to quantify all the yards Barlow could have had if he had hit holes quicker and with more conviction last season? Barlow had 131 carries at 2.8 ypc...that's awful. Houston had a barely better 113 at 3.3 ypc. Jones' has a 4.0 career average and he has been at the 4.0+ level since 2003 (with Tampa Bay). Give TJ those wasted 244 carries and he's at 1,000 yards. Second, in 2004 (his first with the Bears) and when the Bears had an even more incompetent QB situation, TJ had 56 receptions and LED the Bears. Actually, his stats that year with 240 carries and 948 yards are probably the rock bottom for TJ in the Jets offense. Sexy Rexy, who can throw the deep ball, probably caused fewer receptions to go TJ's way more than anything having to do with TJ's pass-catching ability. Third, I'm a contrarian on Kendall, who IMO is merely average at run-blocking and somewhat above-average at pass-blocking (where his smarts are at more of a premium). Run-blocking is a lot more brute strength and Adrien Clarke is bigger and stronger. So, I would expect Kendall's replacement, whoever he is, to be at least as good run-blocking and likely better (it's the pass-blocking and blitz pick up we should worry about). Also, let's not forget that Barnes is a much better run-blocking FB than Askew. Imagine how much better Chad will be and Schott's offense will run with the average 2nd down play being 2nd and 6 or less. Also, Leon is the perfect complement...batter the defense with TJ and then Leon will seem like he's coming at 100 mph. Also, Leon is a classic third-down back...the second-coming of Bruce Harper? With Jones, the Jets offense is real close to becoming a top 15 offense and his intangibles more than make up for the expected loss of Captain Pete. I am a bit more optimistic about Jones’ prospects with the Jets. First, with all due respect to FO, is there a way to quantify all the yards Barlow could have had if he had hit holes quicker and with more conviction last season? Barlow had 131 carries at 2.8 ypc…that’s awful. Houston had a barely better 113 at 3.3 ypc. Jones’ has a 4.0 career average and he has been at the 4.0+ level since 2003 (with Tampa Bay). Give TJ those wasted 244 carries and he’s at 1,000 yards. Second, in 2004 (his first with the Bears) and when the Bears had an even more incompetent QB situation, TJ had 56 receptions and LED the Bears. Actually, his stats that year with 240 carries and 948 yards are probably the rock bottom for TJ in the Jets offense. Sexy Rexy, who can throw the deep ball, probably caused fewer receptions to go TJ’s way more than anything having to do with TJ’s pass-catching ability. Third, I’m a contrarian on Kendall, who IMO is merely average at run-blocking and somewhat above-average at pass-blocking (where his smarts are at more of a premium). Run-blocking is a lot more brute strength and Adrien Clarke is bigger and stronger. So, I would expect Kendall’s replacement, whoever he is, to be at least as good run-blocking and likely better (it’s the pass-blocking and blitz pick up we should worry about). Also, let’s not forget that Barnes is a much better run-blocking FB than Askew. Imagine how much better Chad will be and Schott’s offense will run with the average 2nd down play being 2nd and 6 or less. Also, Leon is the perfect complement…batter the defense with TJ and then Leon will seem like he’s coming at 100 mph. Also, Leon is a classic third-down back…the second-coming of Bruce Harper? With Jones, the Jets offense is real close to becoming a top 15 offense and his intangibles more than make up for the expected loss of Captain Pete.

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