Given Greene's inability to stay on the field last year I've been wondering if Connor could take on part of his role if Greene goes down. Let's face it, LT is NOT going to carry the load on the ground, and McKnight almost certainly isn't either. Neither are built for the repeated punishing runs between the tackles. Do any of our draft guru's think he could be the backup plan for Greene between the tackles for a few games?
He had only 54 career attempts in college but most FBs are capable of taking the ball in between the tackles and pushing the pile. I'd be down with giving the kid some short yardage carries as long as he doesn't suffer from 'Fumble-itis'. After all, we've seen T-Rich get some carries and be effective at the ripe age of 39.
How Versitile is John Connor? I think to start we'll see Conner in 3rd &1, 4th & 1 situations. I just hope he can block in the NFL, that's all we really him for.
If Greene goes down LT does not need to carry the load. McKnight is still there to take carries. You don't have a rookie FB carry the load a whole game.
I'm not necessarily suggesting that he would or could carry the entire load Greene would. It would be nice to still have a downhill "pounder" between the tackles available to us though. If he could take 8-12 effective carries in that role I think it could be very helpful in Greene's absence. Obviously I hope Greene stays healthy, I'm just wondering what the backup plan is if he gets dinged up again.
Im not yet convniced McKnight will be ready to run the ball year 1. Hes been constantly compared to Reggie Bush (but not as good), and we saw how Bush struggled as a rookie. I think McKnight will struggle to run the ball, but could have an impact and be effective with short passes and special teams. If Greene were to go down im convinced we HAVE to pick someone up, or as the OP said look into the option of Connor getting 5-10 carries a game. Then again theres always the possibility Chauncey will be ready to go.
How Versitile is John Connor? Tbh.. I'm getting sick and tired of the who will back up Shonn Greene when his leg goes through his sternum talk. Sure he's more injury prone due to his running style and history but half the board has written him off for a season ending issue by week 6 it seems.
You don't get drafted in the 4th round to not be ready to run the ball in your rookie season. He's going to have the ball in his hands this year. He will see 50+ carries but will be more of a backfield threat. He catches the ball well and is dangerous in open space. Reggie Bush isn't a pure RB, and neither is McKnight something many struggle with realizing. They are versatile playmaker types.
I hope Greene doesn't miss serious playing time this year. His injury would be extremely costly to our running game and our entire offense. I would love to add another RB as an insurance policy before the season starts. The problem is, there isn't many options out there.
t-rich pounding the way for j-connor! 500 pounds of NFL full back comin' at ya full speed! now i know why taylor and cromartie switched teams!
I think we'd probably just go to more of a New England running game. A ton of passes to the RB, a lot of keep-them-off-balance runs. My bet is that LT would probably see about 10-12 runs, TRich would get a couple, and BRad SMith would run the wildcat a little more frequently. Sure, Conner might get 2 or 3, but I think we'd probably just pass more - you know that's what Schotty wants anyway. That said, in this past SNY, there were two clips of Conner catching a pass and I got to say, he looked semi-natural. No TRich, but he's got some hands.
I don't have the stats in front of me, but Conner wasn't a very big threat in the passing game in college. I think he had only like 3-4 receptions last season
If Sanchez developed as per the couches and our hopes, there will be a LOT less running this year compared to last. The Jets are going to air it out as long as Mark avoids being an INT machine.
reggie struggled so much as a rookie that the saints made it to the nfc championship game i dont get why people act like first year rb's dont come in and contribute all the time ... if greene goes down it will be a comittee job, and we'll be fine
There are a lot of serviceable free agent RBs out there who could fill any needs we have at RB if Greene/LT go down or if McKnight/Chauncey Washington fail to impress. That would seem to be a more likely option than making Conner the primary ballcarrier.
