JetNation Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 By Glenn Naughton As they say with many decisions we make that could have or should have been made sooner, “it’s better late, than never”, and that’s exactly how the Jets promotion of practice squad running back Brandon Wilds. An undrafted rookie free agent out of South Carolina, Wilds adds a dimension to Gang Green’s offense that has been missing all season, a true thumper who can pound the ball up the middle. At 6′ 1” 220 lbs, Wilds lacks a top-gear and little burst, but manages to finish his runs strong, almost always falling forward. The biggest concern with Wilds, which should come as no surprise given his physical running style, is his health. He was given a medical redshirt early on at South Carolina due to an ankle injury, and missed part of his senior season with fractured ribs. The injuries played a role in limiting the number of carries Wilds had in college, but he was productive when called upon. Wilds spent the pre-season in Atlanta where he posted a pair of rushing touchdowns. In 41 career games, Wilds rushed the ball 379 times for 1,844 yards (4.9 YPC) and 13 scores. Wilds has also displayed good hands for a big man, hauling in 59 balls for 540 yards and 3 receiving scores. Given the opportunity to get some run over the season’s final four weeks, the powerful North/South running style of Wilds, who also has more wiggle than you might expect, could be the perfect combination with a Jets team whose strength on offense, if you can call it that, is the blocking of their interior linemen. Guards James Carpenter and Brian Winters have been the team’s two best linemen all season while Wesley Johnson has done an admirable job filling in for the injured Nick Mangold at center. With second-year quarterback Bryce Petty set to make just his second NFL start on the West Coast following a Monday night game, Gang Green may look to employ a run-heavy attack. Even if ground and pound isn’t the plan, Wilds should get a look at some point as the last thing the aging Matt Forte needs is a boatload of carries in a few meaningless late-season games. Current number two running back Bilal Powell has been deserving of more carries since the moment the season started, but that’s an option the team doesn’t seem all that interested in. As GM Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles try to figure out who will be around for the long haul and no backs on the roster who can potentially beat down opposing defenses, the added dimension of Wilds to their stagnant offense is worth a peek. Click here to read the full story... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe W. Namath Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Give him 20 carries. The future starts now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 59 minutes ago, JetNation said: By Glenn Naughton As they say with many decisions we make that could have or should have been made sooner, “it’s better late, than never”, and that’s exactly how the Jets promotion of practice squad running back Brandon Wilds. An undrafted rookie free agent out of South Carolina, Wilds adds a dimension to Gang Green’s offense that has been missing all season, a true thumper who can pound the ball up the middle. At 6′ 1” 220 lbs, Wilds lacks a top-gear and little burst, but manages to finish his runs strong, almost always falling forward. The biggest concern with Wilds, which should come as no surprise given his physical running style, is his health. He was given a medical redshirt early on at South Carolina due to an ankle injury, and missed part of his senior season with fractured ribs. The injuries played a role in limiting the number of carries Wilds had in college, but he was productive when called upon. Wilds spent the pre-season in Atlanta where he posted a pair of rushing touchdowns. In 41 career games, Wilds rushed the ball 379 times for 1,844 yards (4.9 YPC) and 13 scores. Wilds has also displayed good hands for a big man, hauling in 59 balls for 540 yards and 3 receiving scores. Given the opportunity to get some run over the season’s final four weeks, the powerful North/South running style of Wilds, who also has more wiggle than you might expect, could be the perfect combination with a Jets team whose strength on offense, if you can call it that, is the blocking of their interior linemen. Guards James Carpenter and Brian Winters have been the team’s two best linemen all season while Wesley Johnson has done an admirable job filling in for the injured Nick Mangold at center. With second-year quarterback Bryce Petty set to make just his second NFL start on the West Coast following a Monday night game, Gang Green may look to employ a run-heavy attack. Even if ground and pound isn’t the plan, Wilds should get a look at some point as the last thing the aging Matt Forte needs is a boatload of carries in a few meaningless late-season games. Current number two running back Bilal Powell has been deserving of more carries since the moment the season started, but that’s an option the team doesn’t seem all that interested in. As GM Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles try to figure out who will be around for the long haul and no backs on the roster who can potentially beat down opposing defenses, the added dimension of Wilds to their stagnant offense is worth a peek. Click here to read the full story... Good article Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Why did we wait so long to activate this kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 6 minutes ago, joewilly12 said: Why did we wait so long to activate this kid. Hopefully somebody has a clue what they are doing on the Jets. Most Jets' fans have lost interest......What happens in the last four games of this season will dramatically impact the Jets next 4 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFJF Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 30 minutes ago, flgreen said: Good article Glenn Thanks....was actually on JN radio with Joe when the Jets were looking for a RB and I was saying they should bring Wilds up since they didn't have a physical back, but they signed Spiller instead. Then said it again two days ago before he got promoted yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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