As long as our oline stays intact....I won't worry who the CS lines up at HB....as long as they stay healthy, they run hard and don't turn the ball over.
Leon for a second would be hard to pass up. However, Sanchez needs a check down guy and we dont have one if we trade Leon. All of the backs mentioned by Mr.e really havent proved they catch the ball and get yac. Just think how important Kevin Faulk was when the Patriots were at their peak. He killed us and was huge on third down. I see Leon as that player and unless we can replace him in that capacity I dont know if we really are getting better with that trade unless it is a really high second round pick.
I don't know if it's "extremely likely", but this is football. He wouldn't cost that much and his role would be smaller. I think he'd be worth a look if we wanted a player to take on a similar role out of the backfield that Leon had. Again, this is assuming we get a 2nd for Leon. Who do you think would be a better option?
I really think the Jets should look into drafting an H-back like Pittsburgh's Dorin Dickerson in the later rounds. Dustin Keller looked great in the playoffs. I think he'll be Sanchez safety blanket next year. I agree that it'd be nice to have a back that can catch ball out of the backfield, but it became clear that we're not going to do that... The players I mentioned are powerful runners that would pair great with Greene. Mathews will more than likely go late in the first...he's going to be a great back in a committee. Dixon, Blount, and Gerhart are guys that can wear down defenses. We wouldn't be drafting these guys to catch the football - we'd be drafted them to punish defenses.
I'd hardly call Greene a vet. It's tough to know how a back's abilities will translate into being able to pick up NFL blocking schemes. I am expecting a 2nd year drop in Sancho's numbers now that teams have a year of tape on him as is common for 2nd year QB's and feel we need a veteran RB available to block on passing plays. ...and wasting a draft pick on a RB when we have other needs that have to be filled through the draft this year would, again, be dumb.
Yes, this is football and major concussions are a risk. The problem is that with every concussion, the chances of the next hit resulting in the same becomes much more likely. There are plenty of RBs in the draft who can help this team. Look at Mr. Electric's list of running backs available in the draft.
When did I call him a veteran? I was referring to Willis McGahee. The Ravens are a perfect example to disprove what you were saying. They won a lot of games in 2008 with a relatively unproven backfield and a solid offensive line. Well, Ryan Mathews played in a pro-style system that uses pro-style blocking schemes. Their head coach, Pat Hill, has a NFL background...he's very close with Bill Belichick. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the Patsies take Mathews in the first. In a backfield that shares carries, he'll be a great player. It's not a wasted pick. If we let Thomas Jones go, we'll need a running back. If we let Leon Washington go, we'll need a running back. Either way we're going to need to pick up a back in this draft.
What don't some of you get? If Leon Washington has a halfway decent season, he's going to claim that he's back to full form and demand a big paycheck again. He's not THAT important to this team. Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold, D'brick Ferguson, and David Harris are all way more important upcoming free agents that the Jets need to bring back. This team doesn't have enough money to spend on all of these guys. If we can get a second round pick for this guy, in a loaded draft like this one, then you make the move and don't look back. This would probably be his last season as a Jet anyway.
I was just pointing out the inconsistency in your analogy. That helps, but isn't guaranteed. Which brings me back to my original point. Letting both of those guys go in our present situation would be retarded. We made it to the AFC Championship last year, which means we are on the cusp of the SB. Letting TJ go for monetary reasons in an uncapped year would be stupid in light of the crippling Final 8 rules. We need what little picks we have to fill holes and acquire much-needed depth. Spending a high round draft pick on another RB when we used 3 freaking picks on one last year is just dumb. We need all of our picks and more.
^ this. Except on the part about not having enough money. Not sure if the cap is coming back and even if it does, players like Ellis, Woody, Faneca are gonna come off the books in the near future. Mr T. is a cap whiz too.
We are still going to be a run first team guys, but we aren't going to lead the league in rushing attempts again...Rex said in his end of season press conference that he wants a little more balanced offense this year, and having a non-rookie QB with 2 elite WRs is going to help him with that a lot. There won't be AS much wear and tear on our RBs.
Agree. He could be an excellent pass catcher out of the the back field and give them a nice pass catching threat. Again I would definitly consider it and probably do it, but I would definitly want another shifty player in this draft if we lose him. Whether it be a slot reciever or a guy like Dickerson, because this team definitly needs another explosive player who can turn a 4 yard short pass into a 15-20 yard completion, especially if we lose Leon.
Inconsistency? Shonn Greene was a third round pick. Le'Ron McClain was a fourth round pick. Willis McGahee was acquired for a third rounder and seventh rounder...Thomas Jones was acquired with a swap of picks. Ray Rice was a second round rookie that was used sparingly behind McClain and McGahee. So - they had a successful season with a rookie RB, an unwanted veteran running back, and a mid-round power runner. You want a guarantee? Okay. Ryan Mathews will be a hell of a player in this league. GUARANTEED. You're right, man. That's why we should trade an expendable player for a high draft pick.
Yes, I would rather draft a rookie without major health/concussion problems than sign a running back with major health/concussion problems.
Not keeping Thomas Jones in your scenario would be inconsistent with what you said about the Ravens. No vet=not the same thing. I will not speak on Matthews as I don't know enough about him. I respect your opinion on the dude, but nothing is guaranteed. Getting a pick for Leon and using it to fill holes makes sense. Getting a pick for Leon AND letting TJ go doesn't and is not a good idea. That was what you originally said, and I fervently disagree at this point for this team. I would be OK, not enthused, but OK with losing either TJ or Leon, but not both for reasons previously mentioned.
I would move Leon for a 2nd rounder in a 2nd. We could pay Jones's bonus and go into next year with Jones and Greene and possibly a 3rd back to groom behind them. Or, we could sign Westbrook, who would be a perfect replacement for Leon in the offense. In a limited role, which is what he would be used in behind Greene, he could still be very effective. A 2nd rounder for a backup runningback coming off a major knee injury would be a good deal in this draft. Do I think it will happen? No.
