In one NFL network's analysis I saw, they showed that McFadden is not a strong runner between the tackles. He's great going to the outside, but in the NFL, you're not going to beat many teams to the outside. (And we don't have our terrific pulling center anymore to help lead the way. To me, he's a poor man's version of Reggie Bush. Bush looked unbelievable to me in college but he's teetering on the edge of Reggie Bust land. The Jets have a great 1-2 tandem in Jones and Washington, and now with a better line and blocking full back, we're better off using our 1st pick for an impact player somewhere else. You want another RB, find us a Johnny Hector on the second day. (BTW, another great RB selection.)
Jets fans need to get over this illusion that Thomas Jones is anything special. He is a slightly below-average running back who plays at a slightly above-average level on his best days.
The notion that any team's history of drafting running backs is a credible indicator of the success (or lack thereof) for future picks is absolute nonsense. In the case of the Jets and the current FO administration, I believe Leon Washington represents the only draft pick (4th round) that they can be directly held accountable for. When the Vikings drafted the touted prospect Purple Jesus last year, no one had any idea he'd be as good as he turned out to be. Does that pick mean that the next time the Vikings draft a RB that their selection will likely be a success simply because of how well they did with AP? Of course not. Reggie Bush was hailed by many so called draft experts as a once in a generation, can't miss prospect. Based on his performance and what they paid for him, its not unreasonable to consider him a bust thus far. McFadden could turn out to be a stud or a dud. If we do end up selecting him, our history of drafting RBs (regardless of whether one perceives it in a positive or negative light) will have no bearing whatsoever on whether or not he turns out to be great or a total waste.
What team have you been watching, the Jets have a bad history when doing just about everything. History is no reason not to draft a running back. That RBs grow on trees compared to monster pass rushers off the edge is a good reason. That Leon Washington is already a much cheaper proven commodity as a tweener back is another. I'd take Gholston if we can. I remember when teams were afraid of the Jets defense.
This thread is great.. The idea is that the Jets have a horrible history of drafting RBs yet the OP names about 5 or so that have worked out fairly well with no mention of any that didnt work, which is the point of the thread. Dont you think this thread is just a little overblown with no actual meaning to the upcoming draft? When have the Jets ever used a top 10 pick on a RB, other than for Blair Thomas? Where are the examples of all these bad running backs that the Jets have drafted?
This whole thread is based on DMAC beeing in the spotlight for too long, and people nitpicking his abilities compared to the late bloomers...as well as Mike Mayock's whacky player evaluations and insistence on hating the draft superstars.
Its more of a point that the Jets have never drafted a truly great RB, outside of Riggins- but he is more of a Redskins than a Jet. The evidence is that mediocrity is the staple of this team, especially in the RB dept. High draft picks like McFadden have extreme boom/bust potential while 2nd Half-1st rnd RBs and later Round picks have shown better results. History recent to ancient: Will not include rds 6-7 as they are not worthy of discussing Leon- KR snub who has HR threat, good pickup LaMont Jordan- With Martin in front of him, couldn't be our #1, good player, now injury ridden. sad Adrian Murrell- Did well, not crazy about him- but i'm not going to knock him because i like him. The Jets are traditionally known for draft good Defensive players and WR, not RBs Blair Thomas- no Roger Vick- Watch the youtube video Johnny Hector- Career 4.1 ypa- good player Dewayne Crutchfield- nothing Freeman- Good player, hurt- if healthy would have been great- an All-Pro (I did my HW) Scott Dierking- I never saw him play but by stats he seems average at best- need help on him (great short yardage, goal line, move the sticks guy) Riggins- Redskin The Jets are known for drafting Good WR and Defensive players, not RBs
Dierking was a great short yardage, goal line, move the sticks guy. 4 ypa for his career. 4th rounder, not a bad pick at all.
+1 for common sense. The incompetence of Joe Walton, Dick Steinberg, Rich Kotite, etc. with the draft has ZERO relevance to now.
You take the best player available period and he would be that guy. Although i believe the Cowboys will trade up to get him if he is there we take him. The Jets have NEVER had an explosive player in over 30 years - it's time to start taking some risks and bring some anticipated excitement to our team instead of anticpated mediocrity!
This video will shut up he's not good between the tackles [YOUTUBE]http://youtube.com/watch?v=1FCfZoPGEFA[/YOUTUBE]
Video is a nice highlight reel of all his big "home run" plays of which i counted 3-4 that were running between the tackles, and on all of them he was never touched until 5 yards into the defense, at which point his speed was evident. Living in GA, I spent most of the fall watching SEC games and saw him play 3-4 games-- I would never say he cannot run between the tackles-I've seen him pick up the tough yards and literally take the will out of a defense. However this video doesn't do much to prove your point.
People say that he can't run through the tackles, I was just showing some that he can and his explosiveness.
The Jets get a bad rep for the draft...It is just because hey are in NYC. Here is a comparison going back to 1990 to teams in the AFC East. The players in bold were 1st day picks JETS RBs Drafted: Leon Washington 4th Cedric Houston 6th Derrick Ward 7th LaMont Jordan 2nd Dustin Johnson 6th Leon Johnson 6th Fred Lester 6th Adrian Murrell 6th Blair Thomas 1st Miami Lorenzo Booker 3rd Ronnie Brown 1st Travis Minor 3rd J.J. Johnson 1st Cecil Collins 5th John Avery 1st Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar 3rd Jerris McPhail 6th Terry Kirby 3rd Aaron Craver 3rd NE Justise Hairston 6th Laurence Maroney 1st Garrett Mills 4th Cedric Cobbs 4th Antwoine Womack 7th J.R. Redmond 3rd Patrick Pass 7th Kevin Faulk 2nd Robert Edwards 1st Chris Floyd 3rd Harold Shaw 7th Sedrick Shaw 3rd Kantroy Barber 3rd Marrio Grier 6th Curtis Martin 3rd Dino Philyaw 6th Scott Lockwood 8th Sam Gash 8th Leonard Russell 1st Jon Vaughn 5th Bills Marshawn Lynch 1st Dwayne Wright 4th Lionel Gates 7th Willis McGahee 1st Travis Henry 2nd Sammy Morris 5th Shawn Bryson 3d Jonathan Linton 5th Leon Neal 6th Darick Holmes 7th Eddie Fuller 4th
