Jets RBs -- Random thoughts (1 Viewer)

[Chase Stuart]

Just a few thoughts on the Jets after two games...

Chad Pennington looks 100% back, and should be considered one of the better QBs in the NFL right now. He's looking very accurate, and has gone over 300 with 2 TDs and 0 INTs (excluding the hail mary on the last play today) in both games.

Most people were down on the Jets this year, mostly because of the QB play. (The message board consensus on his spotlight was 800 yards, 6 TDs, 8 INTs). The Jets defense should be at least average, and probably slightly above average. The Jets passing game looks above average. What's keeping New York down, of course, is the running game.

There were 128 team-seasons from 2002-2005. The lowest YPC average of any team (from RBs alone) during that span was the 2005 Cardinals, at 2.98 YPC. The expansion Texans were at 2.99, and the 2003 Steelers were at 3.30. Only 9 teams in four years averaged fewer than 3.50 YPC from their RBs over the course of the season.

Jets RBs have rushed 52 times for 120 times, an ugly 2.31 YPC average. I'm not suggesting the Jets go out and trade for a RB (although I certainly wouldn't suggest against it), but there has been nothing positive out of the running game through two weeks. The Jets longest run in week 1 was 11 yards; this week it was 8 yards.

The offensive line hasn't been giving the Jets any running room, and I don't think Barlow's running poorly. Blaylock has been very dissapointing, and hasn't provided any electricity. Cedric Houston has yet to get a carry, but I think he should probably be activated and Blaylock deactivated for next week. Blaylock even whiffed on a block today to let Pennington get sacked (which is one of Blaylock's strengths). He's a solid ST player so I doubt he's deactivated, but the Jets need to do something with the running game.

I actually think their best chance would be to run out of 3 WR sets. Having Coles/Cotchery/McCareins/Baker on the field gives the Jets their most explosive offense. Too often the Jets have been running in 3 RB sets, 2 TE sets, and tight formations. Just don't think they're going to be able to power through people this year.

Should be interesting to watch develop. Mainly posted this because I wanted to see how bad the Jets RBs looked compared to some past teams. Everyone expected Jets RBs to look ugly, but 2.30 is way worse than ugly. Of course that number will move up north as the season progresses: the only question is how much.

 

[Mario Kart]

The answer = Cedric Houston

 

[Patoons]

I don't think it gets much better.

It is just atrocious. Holes close, not one back with a burst and the RB's are basically falling at the line. I don't know if it's mainly due to chemistry or the fact that two on the OL are rookies, especially with Fergusan's forte being pass blocking.

Every time I see the hand-off, I cringe. I'm surprised they ran on 4th and inches on the first drive of the second half, no way they could think they'd move the chains. I would have preferred to see a reverse to Smith.

They better do anything they can this offseason to get an RB, whether it be via free agency, trading or draft. That is the #1 need in my mind.

 

[Patoons]

The answer = Cedric Houston

He doesn't have a burst either. He's said himself that he'll rarely break one off... 3-4 yds per carry is what he does. I can't imagine he'd more successful.

 

[Armando]

Welcome Adrian Peterson to New York.

 

[Boston]

Watching today's game it appears Mangini/Shotty are intent on establishing the run. They stuck with it even when they got down by a decent margin. Unfortunately the talent of the run game will make it very difficult for this area to be very productive.

 

[Biabreakable]

It's going to take some time for the Oline to develop. I don't think the Jets have a Rb good enough for them to be balanced offensivly right now and they will be looking for one next offseason.

I don't they want to go 3 WR because they need the extra blockers to help out the Oline and keep Chad healthy for now. As the Oline gains experience then they can try to open things up a bit more.

I expect the running game to continue to struggle. But how well the passing game has been working is better than I expected. So that is a strength they can keep building from.

 

[Rovers]

Chase, I'm in complete agreement. If the Jets are to establish any running game at all, they need to start pulling these guys, like Mangold and Ferguson, and run outside.... they just don't open any holes inside the tackles. As you know, I've been down on Blaylock since the bginning of TC. Leon Washington is faster, better between the tacles and more elusive. The problem with all of the Jets' RB's is picking up blocks.

One thing is clear.... this Jets O line is not good at man blocking, although they are a good pass blocking unit . They generally get pushed around on running plays. That does not bode well for a cutback guy like Blaylock. Of the 4 RB's, he's the worst at breaking tackles. He is a prototypical zone blocking scheme RB.

I would REALLY like to see Houston get a chance.... he's the best power runner on the roster.... and ONLY a power runner can get any yards between the tackles with this O line.

 

[Z-Dog]

The Jets fail miserably at running the ball to set up the pass. They do ok when they use the pass to set up the run. Still, Barlow looked significantly better than Blaylock at surviving first contact, and I suspect that Barlow will see a greater share of the carries.

 

[zamboni]

I was at the game today, and the running game looked as poor as noted. Barlow had a couple of good runs, but other than that there is no identity in running the ball. Blaylock is pretty worthless - clearly he benefited from the Chiefs old OL.

I'd also like to see Mangini give Houston or Washington a chance since it doesn't look like it's going to get much better with these two.

 

[djcolts]

Barlow looks OK if it is a straight-ahead run, but he doesn't do well running laterally and isn't particularly shifty. Blaylock is meant to be a backup. They may need to pass to set up the run - the passing game is miles ahead of the running game.

 

[Otis]

Chase and Patoons know their Jets stuff, and I agree with both.

Kevan Barlow looked absolutely awful. Zero burst. The guy just kind of meanders up to the line, finds a defender, and falls down.

With that said, I think the Jets WRs will continue to be excellent fantasy options, because the Jets will never be able to control the clock and will always be playing from behind (and will only score through the air).

 

[Rovers]

Chase and Patoons know their Jets stuff, and I agree with both.Kevan Barlow looked absolutely awful. Zero burst. The guy just kind of meanders up to the line, finds a defender, and falls down. With that said, I think the Jets WRs will continue to be excellent fantasy options, because the Jets will never be able to control the clock and will always be playing from behind (and will only score through the air).

I think you are watching film from SF last year. Barlow has shown nice burst, and some power running between the tackles so far. Not hesitant, like he was in SF. What you described was Blaylock, not Barlow. The bottom line is that the Jest O line can't run block, but a power runner like Barlow is a better fit than Blaylock is. Houston, on the other hand, is faster than Barlow for getting to the outside, and is about the same between the tackles. The O line looked absolutey awful in run blocking, but Barlow did not look bad, as you say, in contrast to what Chase said. You say you think Chase knows his stuff.... well that is what he said too. You seem confused.... but Miami is 0-2, and that may explain your contradictory post.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Chase and Patoons know their Jets stuff, and I agree with both.Kevan Barlow looked absolutely awful. Zero burst. The guy just kind of meanders up to the line, finds a defender, and falls down. With that said, I think the Jets WRs will continue to be excellent fantasy options, because the Jets will never be able to control the clock and will always be playing from behind (and will only score through the air).

I think you are watching film from SF last year. Barlow has shown nice burst, and some power running between the tackles so far. Not hesitant, like he was in SF. What you described was Blaylock, not Barlow. The bottom line is that the Jest O line can't run block, but a power runner like Barlow is a better fit than Blaylock is. Houston, on the other hand, is faster than Barlow for getting to the outside, and is about the same between the tackles. The O line looked absolutey awful in run blocking, but Barlow did not look bad, as you say, in contrast to what Chase said. You say you think Chase knows his stuff.... well that is what he said too. You seem confused.... but Miami is 0-2, and that may explain your contradictory post.

I agree, Barlow hasn't looked terrible. It's relative though: he looks "good" because his competition is Blaylock. I think if you put Barlow and Blaylock on the 2004 Chiefs, Blaylock would be put up great numbers, and better numbers than Barlow. But he's just not a fit for this offense, and if nothing else, Barlow's used to getting blown up in the backfield.Take some solace in one fact: [trivia]the Jets RBs have done better than 27 carries for 56 yards.[/trivia]