[ad_1]
Two years ago, the Jets signed Le’Veon Bell to a monster free agent deal in hopes it would solve some of their offensive issues.
Two years later, this decision now seems laughable. Bell did not spend two years with the team before releasing him in October as unhappy as it was unproductive with the Jets.
Now, the team faces a decision to roll back this offseason.
While the focus is mostly on who the Jets quarterback is in September, this quarterback will need a good running game behind him. This is something the Jets have failed to build in recent years and one of the contributing factors to Sam Darnold’s struggles.
The Jets did not finish better than 23rd in the NFL by rushing through Darnold’s three seasons. During its time with the Jets, the team had a 100-yard rusher just three times. New offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur comes from the Kyle Shanahan system that emphasizes out-of-zone running concepts and play-action passing. It is essential that the Jets improve their rush attack this offseason.
But how do the Jets go about it? Obviously, they need to improve on an offensive line that has left only tackle Mekhi Becton as a long-term answer. But they must also add to the room of running backs where La’Mical Perine enters his second season as a stranger and not as a back at all.
There are some scheming full-backs who should hit free agency, but will the Jets take that road again? Former general manager Mike Maccagnan signed a four-year, $ 52.5 million contract with Bell in 2019 over objections from former coach Adam Gase. The marriage felt doomed from the start and Bell didn’t rush 100 yards once in a Jets uniform. Bell is one of the many inspiring tales of signing running backs for big-ticket deals. The league has moved away from paying running backs to find answers in the draft.
The top running backs slated to hit free agency on March 17 are Aaron Jones, Chris Carson, Leonard Fournette and Kenyan Drake. There are also a few who have played in San Francisco who know LaFleur and new head coach Robert Saleh. Jerick McKinnon, Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida have all played for the 49ers and could be cheaper than high-end full-backs.
The most likely course of action for the Jets is to try and find a comeback in the draft. The Jets haven’t drafted a running back in the first two rounds since taking on Lamont Jordan in the second round in 2001. It’s been 31 years since the Jets drafted Blair Thomas, the last fullback they picked up. in the first round. They picked Thomas of Penn State with the No. 2 overall pick in 1990. No one is suggesting the Jets are using the No. 2 overall pick on a back in April. But retiring with their second first-round pick (23rd overall) might make sense. Travis Etienne of Clemson and Najee Harris of Alabama are considered late firsts.
Whatever Joe Douglas decides, it’s clear he needs to find answers for the running back. The Jets average 105.2 rushing yards in 2020, which was good compared to 2019 (78.6 ypg) and 2018 (101.4 ypg). LaFleur brings the Shanahan attack to the east with him, so it makes sense to view the 49ers as the model for what the Jets want to do. The 49ers attacked the Super Bowl in 2019, averaging 144.1 yards per game, the second-best average in the league. Who can forget Raheem Mostert running for 220 yards in the NFC Championship game against the Packers?
It was one of 12 times a 49ers backer has gained at least 100 yards in the past three seasons. The 49ers have played 35 games with at least 100 rushing yards since 2018, the sixth-highest in the league. The Jets, on the other hand, have only passed 100 yards 18 times in 48 games, tied for 30e in the NFL with the Steelers. Only three Jets backers have run 100 yards in a game since 2018 – Isaiah Crowell twice in 2018 and Ty Johnson last year against the Raiders.
Douglas has a long to-do list this offseason, but the improvement to the racing game should be near the top.
[ad_2]
Source link