I for one think signing LT is an upgrade over Thomas Jones. I hate to knock a guy who had a career year with us, but there was nothing spectacular about Thomas Jones running style. He would constantly run for 2 yds here, 3 yds there, run into the back of a lineman for no gain and then hit one giant run that was created by the o-line, not by himself. And on top of that, he usually got run down. Shonn Green created tons of plays by juking, trucking, eluding, etc. Green would gash defenses. I dont remember seeing Jones do that. Jones IMO did what any decent running back wouldve done behind our o-line. With that said, I dont think Thomas Jones wouldve done much in a reduced role because he doesnt bring much as a grinding runningback. He needs tons of carries just to get one good run. LT on the other hand has a better skill set that will compliment Green. I also think LT's numbers were because of a crappy o-line. Put him behind our o-line and hes gonna have good numbers. now its time to put our money where our mouths are and go on the record now so during the season and at the end we can see who was right, who flipped flopped and who struck out.
I think we should have kept Jones. I dont hate the LT move but I just dont think he is a good fit on our team.
I was sick and tired of seeing Jones run up to the line of scrimmage and fall as soon as he touches another player. I don't even know how he got to as many yards as he did. Greene will be a great starter, and LT and Leon will provide some explosive depth. I think it's a great move.
Think of it like this, do you want LT on a good day or do you want Thomas Jones on a good day. Look I loved Jones on his good day's, but its nothing compares to LT on his good days
I like it because it gives us flexibility with Leon. Now that we got someone like LT who is useful for screens and passing downs, we arent forced to keep Leon. Or hell if Leon does stay and it takes him a year to get his groove back having LT is still useful. Eitherway I think its a good enough move.
Well he should be rested compared to past seasons ... simply because he wasn't overused last season. Add to that, the fact that he will not be counted on to touch the ball 20+ times, and our offensive line I think he can do some things for us. What I want to know is what this does to Leon's touches.
I think the moves are getting waaaaaaaaaay over hyped. You're talking about 100-150 carries. Tomlinson has a little different skillset than Jones and was much better in his prime but they're probably going to be very similar in terms of production this year.
I think LT isn't TJ's replacement but Leon's. IMO our best case scenario is if we go into next season with Greene, LT and a rookie drafted in rd 2 (Hardesty, Gerhart?). But I'd be cool with Greene, LT and LW too... just that I don't think we have enough physical power at RB with those 3.
I'm happy with the moves. Drafting a RB would have been nice, but signing one in FA allows them to address bigger needs in the draft so I think it was the right choice. I don't expect a whole out of LT but I think he'll pull his weight. And I like TJ but I'm glad we parted ways when we did.. he's every bit as "done" as LT and I think his true colors are going to show in KC.
TJ was always a guy who had his best success at the end of games after a team had been worn down. As the new #1 back those late game carries are going to be Shonn's, and the Jets needed a guy who can catch the ball and pass block. Can't see how it's not a good fit, even though I honestly don't think TJ is done.
if LEON stays I like the move--if we are relying on LT should Greene get hurt then I am afraid----we have to keep LEON
So I assume you're expecting Leon to get an offer then? Why would it be worth it to draft a RB in round 2? That sounds like a loss to me.
I'm saying I think in the Jets O it's better to have 2 power runners and 1 screen pass guy... IMO both Leon and TL (at this stage of his career) are more of the screen pass guy and don't have the pysical skills anymore to constantly run between the tackles. Let's put it this way... I think LT can do Leon's job if he gets hurt but he can't do Shonn's.
I was thinking, if TJ could put up 1400 yards behind this line, why not LdT? True, he sucked with Chargers last year, but then the Charger team that Norv is running is not the same team Marty used to run; and this is a telltale sign, as it's not the personnel that changed, but the philosophy, and it showed. Their line got progressively worse and worse in terms of run blocking, to the point where LdT couldn't produce anything more than a paltry 3.3 yards per carry. While it is a sensible thing to say LdT may have lost a step or two, but pinning all that blame on the RB is just not fair - that's like calling TJ the best thing that ever happened since the fridge. TJ's run was NOT all his work alone - the line did hefty part of it, and there shouldn't be a reason why LdT couldn't produce behind this line. It's not what he had with Marty-run Chargers (which would produce a massive push - about 2 yards per play) but then it's the best he can possibly find in today's league. Heavens forbid, but if something happens to Shonn, I would count on LdT producing as much as TJ did, if not more. On top of that, he's more versatile out of the backfield while being as strong a pass blocker as TJ was. I have to like this move, if only for the money involved. P.S. Last, but not the least, LdT is a between-the-tackle runner. His running style is nothing like Leon's - Leon was never a goal line option that LdT was. LdT in his best days could find holes quickly and cut back for daylight, but that is just one aspect of his game. His primary running style was between the tackle, which is why generating push from the OL was that much important, and this is precisely why he got hurt while running the ball. Again, I repeat: LdT is NOT a wimpy 3rd-down scatback some people make you believe him to be.
