How Versatile is John Conner?

Yeah obviously it was Reggie Bushes 600 yards 3.7 ypc and 4 tds that caused the Saints to get to the NFC championship game.

Just like Rex Grossman having an amazing season was the reason the Bears made it to the superbowl a few years ago.

And its got nothing to do with McKnight being a first year HB. Green was a first year back last year, as was McCoy and Moreno they all had damn good seasons as far as im concerned.

The difference is McKnight seems like he is meant more so for his play-making ability (as said above) rather than being an everydown back. Id expect him to be very much like Leon when he was on our team, catching passes out of the backfield and only doing a few runs a game.

(not to mention hes supposedly got some fumbilittis hes got to work on before we can put the game in his hands)

 

Behind our O-Line I'm sure he could be successful.

 

...and he also had 88 receptions for 742 yards yards and 2 TDs (plus a game-winning punt return TD).

So, Bush scored 8 total TDs and gained over 1,300 total yards during his rookie season.

 

but he's not better than Leon!! He soooo not a running back.

 

Reggie Bush is a poor man's Shonn Greene

 

So let me get this right, our veteran hall of famer backup RB or our rookie RB are not going to be able to carry the load together if our primary RB goes down, but you want to know if our rookie FULLBACK is versitale to do so. This is what I call off season grable. Come on, you gotta be kidding right?

 

I am trying to think up some terminator references that would be fresh or edgy but I haven't managed to do so yet. I'll be back to this thread though if I do.

 

Conner clocked a pretty fast 40 for a big man he could very well be a bruiser in the 4th quarter that defenses will definatley avoid. Once he gets acclimated to the speed of the game and has no issues with ball security we might very well have a gem using him in single back big sets like the ravens use La'ron McClain.

 

He's gonna be one of the best stories as this year progresses. This kid is better than advertised, and far better than your average 5th round pick.
He went in the 5th because for a lot of teams nowadays an old-school FB isn't a real priority. If every team in the league ran an offense the way we do he'd be a 2nd rounder.

If he really can catch like Rex seems to think he can then we're going to have a pretty nasty screen game this year - which we had absolutely none of after Leon went down last year.

Between him, LT (who is not washed up IMO) and T.Rich Mark should have the safety valve that was lacking for most of last year.

And I hope I'm totally wrong but McKnight hasn't sold me on his ability to do much of anything yet...

 

I don't think LT is washed up and I think Mcnight can run inside and out. Hell, Leon ran inside. If both are not true, we are in trouble because your boy Connor probably won't be active for most games. We can't carry 5 guys in the backfield going into a regular season game so between Greene, LT, Mcnight, Richardson and Connor tell me who's not suiting up, I believe its going to be the backup FB who was drafted to replace Tony next year. I apoligize for being snotty, I just don't see how you can say LT is washed up if Rex and company don't. You believe our leaders or the media? I am going with Rex and Mike, same thing with Taylor, you gotta believe right???

 

I'm interested in seeing if Chauncy Washington makes the opening day roster.I'd love this kid to turn out to be a sleeper for us.

 

If Connor impresses in camp, it could be TRich who's not suiting up . . . ever.

 

Just to clarify for everyone it is Conner, not picking on you just I see it over and over again.

Shawn Green told me so-

 

that's not going to be the case at all.

 

I didn't say it was going to happen, hence my use of the word "could".

Do you see the Jets using two roster spots for fullbacks? To me, that's one wasted roster spot that could be used for another position. If ConnEr proves in camp that he is ready, the Jets brass may feel another young OL, DL, LB, CB, or RB with upside is more valuable than a second FB.

 

I don't see how. Bush is a completely different runner than Shonn Greene.

 

The point was that his running style was similar to that of Bush. And Bush struggled when running the ball.

I said and agree completely that McKnight could be effective @ those short passes and special teams (where Bush obviously was very effective).

But that McKnight should not nor in my opinion could not be our every down back this year if the occasion arose.

 

I'd be glad to wager that John Conner will be active for the majority of this season's games.

Conner's primary contribution will be as a special teamer. Sure, there'll be some games where we need more wide receivers than running backs or more linemen than running backs, but there will never be a game where we won't need a big body to run down the field and hit somebody. Conner excels in that area.

The fact that he has also demonstrated competency as a ball carrier, receiver and lead blocker gives him versatility. And versatility is the difference between the 53rd guy and the 54th guy.

That's the reason Brad Smith hasn't been a healthy scratch since the Jets drafted him, and that's the reason we're going to see a lot of Conner this season.

So the question then becomes if we've blown out a team and we're playing out the clock in the fourth quarter, who gets the ball? The injury-prone, absolutely-needed-in-the-playoffs franchise running back? The injury-prone, HOFer passing-down back? The injury-prone, fumble-prone, skinny rookie with a lot to learn?

Or, the expendable guy who loves to hit people?