What are the chances Richardson gets cut? Carrying two FBs, with only one of them playing special teams, would seem to be a luxury.
Looking at combine numbers alone is how we get a guy like Gholston. One of the things the coaching staff has to take into account is his flexibility and how he moves during these drills, not just how fast he moves. I remember Tannenbaum, Bradway and Clinkscalse saying that the scouting department is shying away from combine numbers as a determining factor and focusing more on game film and in-game performance. Conner's film shows a lot of evidence that he can be the run-blocker the Jets want him to be. The guy hits people like he's playing defense. As for these numbers, it could mean that Conner might handle a few carries better than most strict fullbacks in the NFL. Of course, they could also mean nothing. I chose Snelling and McClain because they have had some success in limited carries for their teams. Snelling has done some good things stepping in for Turner and Norwood when they were injured and McClain has had success when Harbaugh used him situationally against a few teams. If you look back at his carries, you'll see he disappeared during some games because of the match-ups that he would have been facing. If Rex and Schottenheimer do decide to put the ball in Conner's hands somewhere down the road, it would probably be determined by matchup and surprise.
It would, but then again we have had linebackers on this team that do nothing aside from ST coverage, and Wallace Wright was on the team almost exclusively for his ST skills. The guy had 8 receptions in his Jets career total. Six of those came when the Jets had Clemens starting and Wright was one of his main targets during TC and practice with the second string. To be honest, I wouldn't be too surprised to see the CS try him out in a Spencer Larson type roll and give him a few reps at ILB if there is a need. He's shorter and slower than you would like but he could wind up stepping in to spell for a few plays if there is an injury need. Then again, this is a reach of an idea.
For the record, Cody did 22 reps at Alabama's pro day (he weighed 349 at Pro Day, 354 at the Combine)
Starting to like this pick more and more each day. When I saw "RB" on draft day, I almost flipped a shit.
I was tailgating, and checked Twitter...I started cursing because we took (another) RB, and one I'd never even heard of...now that I've studied the tape, seems like a mauler.
The FB in question with the poor bench press was Rashawn Jackson of Virginia. Of the three FBs tested at the combine (or listed on ESPN), Conner is the basically top FB across the board. Jackson pretty much comes in second in all phases (40-Yard dash: Conner=4.74/Jackson=4.78, Bench: 24/2, Vertical: 35/34.5, Broad: 111/117). Compared to the RBs, Conner's 24 reps would have been 3rd (Ben Tate and Lonyae Miller tied for 1st with 26 reps). Speed and agility-wise, the FBs generally ranked in the bottom quartile compared to the RBs, as you might expect.
Why..... would that happen? The two guys in the NFL that do that (both named Spencer, oddly enough) were high level college LBs. Really can't ever see a college FB doing both in the NFL, just too much to learn on the defensive side of the ball. My guess is that the Jets roll with 5 RBs, Greene, LDT, McKnight, Richardson, and Conner. They had four last year, but also had Woodhead as the "4th" RB, and carried 4 QBs on the 53 (no way that happens this year). Greene is the feature, LDT the #2, McKnight learning as the 3rd down guy, TRich the starting FB, and Conner participating some as a short yardage back.
I don't think he should ever take reps with the defense, but he could play the same role on special teams.
its interesting what information can do. I didn't scout FBs thinking the Jets wouldn't need one. So I read about this kid and he's exactly what the running game needs to be successful. And his name is John Conner.
he looks like he would be effective as a receiver in play action. conner, keller, and LT all streaking while sanchez rolls out of the pocket? someones going to be open.
The more I find on this kid, the more I love this pick...and the more I see of Randall Cobb, the more I want him to be a Jet in 2011. I found video of all of Conner's TDs First play of this video, Conner bulldozes in for a 1 yard TD. At 1:55, Conner catches a short play action pass and takes it to the house. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ODWQbgB2Do[/youtube] At 1:38, Conner gets another goalline carry and pounds it in. At 3:40, Conner absolutely destroys a defensive end. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lOVuAVyQHk&feature=related[/youtube]
What do you think longterm (sorry if I'm asking you to beat a dead horse). I've wanted us to get in an heir to T.Rich for sometime and I have a good vibe this kid may be awesome in a few years as a blocking FB.
I think he's going to be our fullback for a long time. He was already one of the best lead blockers in college football - that will translate over. I'm interested to see him develop into a pass catcher and as a short yardage. I think he has great future in this league. Conner has pretty good receiving ability right now and it's only going to get better. I can see him having Rock Cartwright/Jason Snelling type seasons as a receiver...25 to 30 catches per year.
I have a feeling a lot of linebackers are going to spend time with the trainer after games versus the Jets. Conner literally just runs through defenders. That Louisville end that got knocked on his ass is Malcolm Tatum. He played next to Mount Cody at Gulf Coast Community College. Tatum's about 6'4 254. That's bigger than most 4-3 linebackers.
K-Dub's brother talked about K-Dub playing with a chip on his shoulder. The way this guy hits, you would have to think that he led the worst childhood possible.
