Jets see an expanded role for former Charger, but can he produce? Matt Bowen
LaDainian Tomlinson needs to show us in camp that he is capable—accountable—when we start to look at the 2010 season in terms of production from the running back position.
We all know how the Jets win football games, and because of that we should expect to see plenty of Shonn Greene when New York opens the season. And that is why I viewed L.T as nothing more than a limited situational player when he signed with the club this offseason. A guy who could be used in certain personnel packages. Not a player that is heavily involved on Sundays.
But, with Leon Washington now in Seattle, the Jets see an expanded role for L.T. this season. RB coach Anthony Lynn told Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com that he has “two starters” in his backfield when the discussion shifts to both Greene and Tomlinson.
Not uncommon to have two backs who can split carries in the NFL today, but when we look back at L.T. from the ’09 season, what do the Jets really have?
We have to remember that Greene was dominant in the Jets’ playoff run. He showed power, made people miss and had the ability to run away from defensive backs. The ideal back for the Jets running game: the Power O, the Lead Strong, Lead Open, etc. Get the ball deep in the backfield and get downhill. Not exotic by any means, but very productive when run behind that offensive line in New York.
Saying that, where does L.T. fit when you put together a game plan?
Lynn did say that the Jets would use Tomlinson when they went to their nickel personnel. I can see that—to an extent. Bring in L.T. when you go three wide, spread the field and let him run the ball out of one back sets when there is an extra DB on the field in place of a linebacker. Maybe that works, but when this offense needs a play, I still see Greene as the guy—regardless of the situation on the field.
L.T does have that name value when we look in the backfield, but I saw a player last season that lacked explosion and had issues getting to the second level of the defense—a place he used to make a living. And, when we talk about running backs who don’t have that explosive first step, or who can’t press the edge of the defense, what do you really have?
Enough to call both Greene and Tomlison "starters?"
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"We all know how the Jets win football games"
HAHAHAHA I stopped reading right there. The Jets are the Houston Texans with better publicity.
How many bad seasons does LT have to have before everyone agrees he's washed up? Maybe he can bring something as 3rd down back but anything more than that is wishful thinking.
Jack- The Jets sure didn't look like the Texans when they went to the AFC title game.
Lt thought he wasn't getting the ball enough with SD the past 2 yrs. How will those feelings be echoed in the bullhorn that is the NY media. Anyone remember Ed Whitson?
I don't think NY will eat LT like it did Whitson but everything there is amphlified.
Da Coach,
Well the Texans won 8 contested regular season games in 2009 compared with the Jets 7, so we can only guess how they would have performed against the Bengals and Chargers if they had been given 2 extra wins like the Jets were.
Well,
Shonn Greene is the best back the Jets have and LaDainian, while he can still be explosive from time to time, cannot do what the Jets envision him doing. New York appears to be getting better but it's foolish to give LT too many touches
Don't see LT putting much of a dent in Greene's fantasy value this year. Maybe 10-12 touches a game for LT.
I guess everyone believes the Chargers O'line was just as good as the Jets O'lone because we keep hearing about how LT is finished based on his last 2 years. I don't buy it, the Chargers O'line is set up to pass protect much like Indy while the Jets O'line is et up to run the ball down your throats, for every big gainer Greene or Jones had last year they had 4 times as many 2 or 3 yard runs, it was the commitment to run into 8 man fronts that allowed the run game to dominate while SD used the run as a change up from throwing the ball all over the lot....
LT will be just fine running behind the Jets fron 5 and he is better than Jones or Greene at picking up blitzes and catching the ball out of the backfield. He'll average about 15 touches a game like Washington did last year before breaking his leg.
John, I think people think LT is finished because he can't cause missed tackles anymore.
Jack, noone said that until you. Any RB will have trouble causing tacklers to miss when they aren't getting good blocking, LT will get good blocking this year. Is he gonna lead the league in rushing? NO. The Jets didn't bring him in to do that, but in the role they have for him, he can excel. The guy did score 12 TD's last season, he has a nose for the end zone plus he is a good receiver out of the backfield. If you watched any of the Jets games after Washington went down you would know how much that hurt their offence. Sanchez didn't have the option of dumping off to his backs as TJ and Greene are both challenged in that department. The LT signing wasn't about bringing in a No. 1 RB, but creating more options for the offence.
All that said, he may end up doing nothing.....time will tell.
Jack, you are right. LT could not break tackles anymore. Even when he got to the 2nd level, he was knocked down easily. He is not the same, not even close. He still has some burts but his ability to juke or break a tackel is gone. I have seen all of LTs games and he is a shell. He should have retired after last year.
How can you compare the Jets to the Texans. The Jets win via a great defense and a great running game. They are a tough team both physically and mentally. Houston on the other hand has a bad defense and no running game. There success is entirely on the arm off Matt Schuab and the hands of Andre johnson. The texans are a soft team with very little toughness
Plus the Jets made mincemeat of the Texans when they did play, hardly similar teams.
9-7 is 9-7. If the Jets were better than the Texans, they would have won more games. They won FEWER contested games, so I can't see them as better. Plus, the Texans haven't lost key pieces of their offense the way the Jets have.
9-7 is 9-7. If the Jets were better than the Texans, they would have won more games. They won FEWER contested games, so I can't see them as better. Plus, the Texans haven't lost key pieces of their offense the way the Jets have.
Obviously you are biased Jack, that's OK by me....but we'll see what happens in a few months. I hope you are man enough to admit you're wrong if the Jets play as expected by me and many oithers.
I think a 9-7 record is pretty weak.
I think winning 2 of those games against back-ups is unimpressive.
I think replacing Jones and Washington with Greene & Tomlinson is a downgrade.
I think Sanchez has yet to prove he can handle being the focal point of the offense.
I know the Jets gave up 30+ points in half of their division games last year.
You add a head case (and suspended) WR and a hack CB and tell me that's a top tier team because they pulled out a couple of missed FG wins against perennial chokers Cincy and San Diego. I turn your claim of bias upon you sir.
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Jun 21, 2010
09:26 AM
How did the Redskins pass on LT? Does he feel dissed by their cold shoulder? If they had him, they would have a monopoly on over the hill RBs, with Formerly Fast Willie Parker, Larry Johnson, Brian Westbrook and of course, Clinton Portis, with his $7 mill guaranteed salary.