NorthJersey.com: 3-headed Green Monster?

CatoTheElder · Aug 10, 2009

The Jets' new 3-headed green monster
Monday, August 10, 2009
Last updated: Monday August 10, 2009, 7:29 AM
BY J.P. PELZMAN
The Record

CORTLAND, N.Y. — The Jets have a plan for their backfield.

They just don't have a name for it. Not yet, anyway.

"We haven't come up with a name yet for all three of us," Leon Washington said, "but we do want to be the best backs in the league."

They'll get their chance, that's for sure. Washington, starter Thomas Jones and rookie Shonn Greene all should get plenty of carries this season, as coach Rex Ryan has promised the Jets will "ground and pound."

That was the formula with Baltimore, Ryan's former team. Last season, Willis McGahee, Ray Rice and Le'Ron McClain all topped 100 carries. So it wouldn't be surprising if Jones, Washington and Greene all got that much work this season.

"The 'big three,' I think, are going to give us an opportunity [to] keep a guy fresh," Ryan said. "It's not necessarily [that] you're sharing the load because they're not all going to get the same amount of carries, but you can use them to your advantage. [In Baltimore], we had three real good backs and we used every one of them.

"We've got something that most teams don't have," Ryan added, "and that's a great group of backs. It's kind of like the old [Larry] Csonka, [Jim] Kiick and Mercury Morris days [with Miami in the 1970s]. They had three of them and found a way to use them, and we'll do the same."

"I think there's going to be enough work to go around," Washington said, "because we all are capable of producing on the field. I have no worries about that. We're all going to get our work."

Jones had an AFC-leading 1,312 yards on 290 carries last season, and Washington had 448 yards on 76 carries despite also handling kickoff and punt returns. Jim Leonhard is taking over the punt returns this year, which will free up Washington for more offensive touches.

Jones said, "I think we have one of the best backfields in the league with me, Leon and Tony [Richardson, the veteran fullback.]"

Jones added that "Shonn Greene is a guy coming in who is a highly touted rookie. I think we have a proven backfield."

Of course, the idea of running the ball frequently always is appealing to an offensive lineman.

"I think it's great," right tackle Damien Woody said, "because it gives us a change of pace. It shows a defense different styles of running back, and obviously it keeps our running backs fresh.

"That's the goal," he added, to "keep pounding on people."

Certainly both Jones and Greene, who rushed for 1,850 yards as a junior at Iowa last season, are capable of running over people.

Greene "kind of reminds me of [former San Diego Charger] Natrone Means," Washington said.

"He's always falling forward. He's always making that first guy miss or bouncing off him. He's a strong guy with a low center of gravity."

The rookie is excited to learn from Washington and Jones.

"I think that's kind of an advantage," he said, "because you get to sit back and see how they do things. You get to follow that. I want to mirror myself after them because they've done so great in this league."

E-mail: pelzman@northjersey.com

CORTLAND, N.Y. — The Jets have a plan for their backfield.
CHRIS PEDOTA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Thomas Jones, above, will share carries with Leon Washington and Shonn Greene.

They just don't have a name for it. Not yet, anyway.

"We haven't come up with a name yet for all three of us," Leon Washington said, "but we do want to be the best backs in the league."

They'll get their chance, that's for sure. Washington, starter Thomas Jones and rookie Shonn Greene all should get plenty of carries this season, as coach Rex Ryan has promised the Jets will "ground and pound."

That was the formula with Baltimore, Ryan's former team. Last season, Willis McGahee, Ray Rice and Le'Ron McClain all topped 100 carries. So it wouldn't be surprising if Jones, Washington and Greene all got that much work this season.

"The 'big three,' I think, are going to give us an opportunity [to] keep a guy fresh," Ryan said. "It's not necessarily [that] you're sharing the load because they're not all going to get the same amount of carries, but you can use them to your advantage. [In Baltimore], we had three real good backs and we used every one of them.

"We've got something that most teams don't have," Ryan added, "and that's a great group of backs. It's kind of like the old [Larry] Csonka, [Jim] Kiick and Mercury Morris days [with Miami in the 1970s]. They had three of them and found a way to use them, and we'll do the same."

"I think there's going to be enough work to go around," Washington said, "because we all are capable of producing on the field. I have no worries about that. We're all going to get our work."

Jones had an AFC-leading 1,312 yards on 290 carries last season, and Washington had 448 yards on 76 carries despite also handling kickoff and punt returns. Jim Leonhard is taking over the punt returns this year, which will free up Washington for more offensive touches.

Jones said, "I think we have one of the best backfields in the league with me, Leon and Tony [Richardson, the veteran fullback.]"

Jones added that "Shonn Greene is a guy coming in who is a highly touted rookie. I think we have a proven backfield."

Of course, the idea of running the ball frequently always is appealing to an offensive lineman.

"I think it's great," right tackle Damien Woody said, "because it gives us a change of pace. It shows a defense different styles of running back, and obviously it keeps our running backs fresh.

"That's the goal," he added, to "keep pounding on people."

Certainly both Jones and Greene, who rushed for 1,850 yards as a junior at Iowa last season, are capable of running over people.

Greene "kind of reminds me of [former San Diego Charger] Natrone Means," Washington said.

"He's always falling forward. He's always making that first guy miss or bouncing off him. He's a strong guy with a low center of gravity."

The rookie is excited to learn from Washington and Jones.

"I think that's kind of an advantage," he said, "because you get to sit back and see how they do things. You get to follow that. I want to mirror myself after them because they've done so great in this league."

E-mail: pelzman@northjersey.com
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http://www.northjersey.com/sports/3-headed_green_monster.html

Cerberus? (I need to put that classic history degree to some use.)

NDmick · Aug 10, 2009

The Neon Horse Bowling Ball.

mooks77 · Aug 10, 2009

I'm really excited for Greene, he rocked it last year at Iowa.

southparkfanciz · Aug 10, 2009

So they finally came up with their own earth, wind, and fire? I hope it succeeds so that all the Giants fans can shut up.

Jtuds · Aug 10, 2009

Let's hope Brick's run blocking is up to par for a ground n pound style game.

........ · Aug 10, 2009

I've got nothing good, so instead I'll give you an incredibly lame one.

Washington, Shonn, Jones = WSJ

They're the Wall Street Journal because they're always giving teams the business.

Denny · Aug 10, 2009

Penetration Triple H

twown · Aug 10, 2009

Maybe the rookie should get an NFL touch before he gets a bad-ass nickname?

Heavy Metal Thunder · Aug 10, 2009

Joe Klecko wants to call them the Dirty Gritty Lunchpale Committee

........ · Aug 10, 2009

twown said: ↑

Maybe the rookie should get an NFL touch before he gets a bad-ass nickname?
Click to expand...

Well, I mean, I prefer to be on the cutting edge of these things. If you just want to be a follower when Shonnemania blows up, you go right ahead. I've always preferred to be able to say "Hey, I was into Greene before he started getting all those carries. Before it was all cool to be a fan."

CatoTheElder · Aug 10, 2009

IgnatiusJReilly said: ↑

Well, I mean, I prefer to be on the cutting edge of these things. If you just want to be a follower when Shonnemania blows up, you go right ahead. I've always preferred to be able to say "Hey, I was into Greene before he started getting all those carries. Before it was all cool to be a fan."
Click to expand...

So does this mean you already have his name, jersey number, and likeness tatted on your ass or are you waiting?

Denny · Aug 10, 2009

The Perfect Storm
The Titan Trident
The Tri State Triple
The Green Menace
Pythagorean's Spear
Johnson, Johnson & Johnson
The Green Amigos
The Triple Menace

brothermoose · Aug 10, 2009

Thunder-cock, Lightening-bolt, and Big Dick

Hobbes3259 · Aug 10, 2009

brothermoose said: ↑

Thunder-cock, Lightening-bolt, and Big Dick
Click to expand...

You've been lurking in the mens room again Senator Craig, haven't you...:rofl2:

Jake · Aug 10, 2009

I'd like "#1 Run Offense in the NFL"

........ · Aug 10, 2009

CKNY6 said: ↑

So does this mean you already have his name, jersey number, and likeness tatted on your ass or are you waiting?
Click to expand...

Why the fuck would I do that? Not everyone would see it there. The Shonn Greene tattoos are on my forehead.

CanadaGreen · Aug 10, 2009

Heard the best nickname on TJB...BOOM BOOM POW

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