I know lots of people are bumping up Thomas Jones after the Favre trade, but assuming you had him properly rated before, I wouldn't bump him much because of the addition of Favre. There is very little evidence showing synergies between the running and passing game. Sure it makes sense in theory that Favre helps Jones, but look at which team had the top rushing attack last year. Do you think if the Vikings had Favre that Peterson and Taylor would have run for 2600 yards instead of 2300? I don't, and the difference between Favre and Jackson is huge.
I'd love to see the evidence, but I'm far from convinced that the addition of a stud QB helps out his RBs. Dan Marino, anyone?
Not fair - You're comparing what looks to be the Next Dynamic "do it all" "Take it to the house" Young RB in the league to Thomas Jones who is much more of a 'Take what the OL and defense gives you" RB..... Every inch the defense is back means a lot more to TJ.
Miami never committed to the running game like the Jets have been planning to do....
It's not often that you have a QB with stud potential with a team that could be greatly committed to the running game like the Jets should still be especially at the start of the year.
Thomas Jones may have a big season, but that will be because he's got a really good offensive line in front of him.I haven't seen any convincing evidence that an improved passing game will help a RB's rushing yardage. Have you?
An OL with a somewhat easier job if the line isn't stacked.
I don't think I've ever seen a QB like Pennington Where defenses clearly stacked the line switch to a Qb with the arm like Favre that was a ball control team. Even when Montana went to KC it wasn't anywhere near a comparison to this.
Sometimes the evidence isn't there and common sense comes into play.
The Jets should still have the goal of being a running team this year especially at the start.
Even saying "an improved passing game" is a generaliztion - Fact is we're talking Chad to Favre... and that is a HUGE difference, maybe not as much as an improved passing game but, as a THREAT to go over the top.
NY POST
Here's today's Cannizaro article:
JETS' RUSH 4-TIFIED
DEEP THREAT SHOULD HELP RBS
By MARK CANNIZZARO
Posted: 4:17 am
August 12, 2008
The view from across the line of scrimmage might appear a bit foreign to JetsNew York Jets running backs Thomas JonesThomas Jones and Leon WashingtonLeon Washington .
As they peer over their own wide-body offensive line - Nick Mangold, Alan Faneca, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Brandon Moore and Damien Woody - Jones and Washington might find it to be a little less congested on the other side.
They might find the rush-hour traffic a bit lighter than it was last year thanks to the presence of Brett Favre at quarterback.
For all the gifts Chad Pennington possesses, we're not breaking any news by reporting that his arm strength was not one of them. Because of that, opposing defenses didn't have to fear the deep passes from Pennington and they could even cheat a bit on the perimeter stuff near the sideline.
That allowed opposing defenses to stack eight defenders in the box to stuff Jones at or near the line of scrimmage and smother Washington when the Jets tried to get him into space to make a big play with his elusiveness and speed.
The result was a 19th ranking in the NFL in rushing (only five teams had an average of less than the Jets' 3.8-yards per carry) and too much pressure on Pennington and Kellen Clemens to make plays.
Favre, because he can throw the ball with velocity from Hempstead to Florham Park, N.J., should be able to reverse that trend. That much has appeared evident through only three days of training camp practices as of yesterday.
Because Favre can zip the ball into an antique door keyhole from 60 yards away, opposing defenses are going to have to think twice before sending an extra defender in the box, otherwise Favre could pick the secondary apart.
That should translate into more running lanes for Jones and more open space for Washington.
"All I can do is speak from experience," said Jets fullback Tony Richardson. "When I was in Minnesota, we played Brett and the Packers twice a year and I remember watching our defensive preparation all week long and then you get to the game and he just tears you apart.
"You try to disguise as many looks as you can and he recognizes it and throws a quick pass outside. Then you stop that and he hands the ball to a running back. It's like you're playing chess and a lot of times you're going to lose that chess match to Brett Favre. I've experienced it first hand, up close and personal. "Having a guy like that on your team knows it keeps the defense honest." That's music to Jones' ears.
"I'm not sure exactly what defenses are going to play," Jones said. "They know the caliber of play, know what (Favre) brings to the table and they may back up or they may not.
"Obviously as a running back, you want to go up there with six guys in the box. That's one less guy that you have to deal with before you get in the secondary. I'm going to do everything I can to make his life easier, try get him acclimated to offense and team.
"Just the fact that you have a proven quarterback who's had an outstanding career is enough for people to pay attention."
Asked, from a defensive standpoint, how much Favre's presence could help open up the running game that was so dormant last season, Jets linebacker David Bowens said, "Oh, big time . . . big time."
"In a perfect world I'd say both (Jones and Washington) have 1,000 yards rushing," Bowens said. "The running game has come along so far very well. We have potential to do that."
mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com
Exactly what I was thinking. Improved Line + Favre keeping Safties and LB's honest should help Jones be pretty productive.
