McKnight Rider About to Turbo Boost into Running Game?
For a few weeks now, there’s been speculation as to whether or not the Jets will start giving special teams standout RB Joe McKnight more chances to carry the ball out of the backfield for the Jets. Could Joe McKnight’s time come this weekend? Rex has indicated that it very well might ..
Well, did he do anything last year [against the Bills]? I forget that game (joking). Yes, absolutely, he’ll get more opportunities this week.
Our Lisa Zimmerman wrote about this last night, and talked to Joe about what he’s working on to prepare for Sunday.
Last year, McKnight had his best games against Buffalo with a total of 36 carries and 170 total yards in the two games he played against them. McKnight is excited and trying to prepare for whatever role they’ll want him in, whether it’s rushing or receiving. “I have to get my timing and my steps right,” he said of his main focus. McKnight’s also spending a whole lot of time in the film room.
So far this season, the Jets have yet to approach the 40 carry mark in a single game. There’s even been a few occasions where the team has been in the teens. The Jets might want to counter the Bills running game with their own, which is why the team might want to bring three game-ready backs to the party. So the fact that McKnight has admitted to logging extra time in the film room this week is a pretty good indication that he might see some totes this weekend. This of course would in turn could mean the Jets are planning on spreading out the carries some, because they are going to try and run it more. To me, it would be a good game plan when going against a strong running game and an opportunistic passing defense.
18 Responses to McKnight Rider About to Turbo Boost into Running Game?
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Jeff says:
Loved this show as a kid. Fond memories of times past.
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Ben Nevis says:
Bassett—
As I mentioned to Lisa last night on another thread (and she seemed to agree), it’s a little misleading to say, as Lisa does, “Last year, McKnight had his best games against Buffalo with a total of 36 carries and 170 total yards in the two games he played against them.”
McK didn’t have, as Lisa says, his “best games” (plural) against Buffalo—158 of those 170 rushing yards came in ONE game at the end of the season, with 4.9 yards per carry.
McK also had another 15 yards receiving for a total of 173 yards in that same game against Buffalo. And it was the only game that Joe put up any big numbers at all the entire season.
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One more thing, Bassett—
You write: “So far this season, the Jets have yet to approach the 40 carry mark in a single game.”
In that one Bills game at the end of the season, McKnight had 32 carries (as well as 2 receptions).
It was a huge game for McK (even though it came against what was then a terrible Bills team). And this, obviously, is what Rex was joking about when he said, “I forget that game.”
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joey boy 79 says:
Good article on what we discussed the other day: http://www.ganggreennation.com/2011/11/2/2534134/safety-approval-rating
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I agree that we need to mix and match the safetys more productively. One better in coverage and one, a hard hitting run stopper.Still even that, we are lacking a real speedy covering safety but the mix and match would help.
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I don’t know, I thought Pool and Smith were good at last seasons end. I still would like Smith to bulk up and play LB. Leonard needs to start his coaching career.
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deuce4417 says:
something is up with pool. i expected him to have more time and make some plays but he has not seemed to be able to do so. at season’s end i expected jimmy and pool to start, with eric smith being coined the “started” the has to be some underlying issue with pool. its been noted a few times by posters on here that so far smith is actually cover better than pool when he is in. the trade of lowery was a shock to me i thought he was poised to make an impact this year at safety
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Bent says: I think the Jets prefer for their safeties to be interchangeable.
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Bent says:
What an epic picture. Was that taken on the Death Star?
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Nick says:
Looks like Kerley behind him…two young contributors who we could possibly be cheering for for a long time!
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Sanchezio says:
Brad Smith was a Bengals killer for years through his special teams and wildcat play. If McKnight can be a Bills killer in the same capacity, it could go a long way towards getting us division crowns for the next few years.
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Jack says:
With all the hate for Eric Smith from JETS fans I would like you guys to name five or six better starters you would like to have as our SS. Keep in mind the versatility of Smith in the run game and rushing the passer, as well as being able to hide who’s strong or free and change on the fly therefore not giving away coverage schemes immediately. I am also surprised by Pool’s lack of production though he did come up huge in the playoffs last year so I expect him to do well when it counts. Jimmy played in Buffalo for a few years so I’m expecting a big game from him on Sunday. GO JETS!
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been saying it all year jack. everyone clamering for sharper need to have their heads checked
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Bent says:
I saw one guy saying we needed to get sharper on defense and on offense and I was like “he doesn’t even play offense”. It was at this point I realized I was an idiot.
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mikebe1 says:
1 week its is shonn needs more runs then its plax isn’t contributing then tone needs the ball more now mcknight needs more playing time.can we just play ball
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ty reeder says:
Eric Smith is not a quality safety, he’s a backup at best. I’ll be shocked if the Jets don’t address the position early in draft or free agency.
nice car