Crowell Hoping to Reverse Course With Gang Green

[JetNation]

It’s been a long and winding road for running back Isaiah Crowell.  From the University of Georgia, to Alabama State, to the Cleveland Browns, the running back is now another piece of the Mike Maccagnan puzzle with the New York Jets after he was signed to a 3 year deal, worth $12 million earlier this off-season.

Since entering the league in 2014 with the Browns, Crowell has experienced very little team success as a member of four last-place teams that managed just 11 wins in four years.  Despite the poor team play, there was some individual success for Crowell during that time frame.

In 64 career games (45 starts), the bruising back rushed for 3,118 yards and 21 scores on 737 attempts, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. On the receiving end, Crowell wasn’t asked to do nearly as much, but showed himself to be a capable target out of the backfield, hauling in 96 balls for 770 yards and a touchdown.

Crowell has dealt with constant turmoil and a revolving door of quarterbacks and coaches as a pro.  Now, the Jets are hoping to provide the 25 year old with a little bit more stability than he has had in the previous four seasons. After signing with New York, Crowell told reporters, “I chose to sign with the New York Jets because I feel like it’s a great team, great atmosphere,” before adding, “I feel like it’s a good locker room, and I can win here.” Crowell is looking forward to the joining a team whose locker room is in transition as the Jets look to add young leaders, and many are excited to see how he’ll help Gang Green in the future.

With several options out of the backfield, Jets fans are wondering what Crowell can bring to the table this season.  Looking at last year’s numbers, the Jets were ranked 19th in rushing last season, with an group of backs that consisted of Matt Forte, Bilal Powell, and Elijah McGuire. Now Forte is gone, and it was Powell who led the Jets rushing attack with 772 yards on 178 attempts. McGuire also flashed at times, gaining 315 yards on 88 carries.  The addition of Crowell gives the Jets a hard-nosed runner who ran for 853 yards on 206 carries in 2017, a solid stat line given the anaemic production Cleveland got out of Deshone Kizer and Kevin Hogan at quarterback.

The Jets are now hopeful that with an upgraded offensive line, a vastly improved quarterback room and a supportive coaching staff led by Todd Bowles, Crowell can improve those numbers in the 2018 season in Green and White. Crowell came to the Jets to do one thing, and that is to win football games.  Is that something that will happen this year, next year, or at all?

The post Crowell Hoping to Reverse Course With Gang Green appeared first on NY Jets News.

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[UntouchableCrew]

Never understood Mac's obsession with a well paid middle of the road veteran RB. We're able to dump Forte so he brings this guy in... A guy who underachieved behind a good o-line in Cleveland.

[Thai Jet]

9 minutes ago, UntouchableCrew said:

Never understood Mac's obsession with a well paid middle of the road veteran RB. We're able to dump Forte so he brings this guy in... A guy who underachieved behind a good o-line in Cleveland.

1st up Forte RETIRED. He was terrific in his prime and a fantastic pass catching RB. Crowell brings these same qualities in a younger package, he's only 25. He's averaged 4.2 YPC on over 700 carries. Situation was crazy in Cleveland .

[Cyberjet]

I just think he feels it's not worth investing prime $$ on a RB. He's not alone in this way of thinking. He may have underperformed but it was a poor team. Game circumstances may have biased his performance such as stacking the box or having to pass ... I think it was a clever gamble. He's not going to be awful and at the very least he will be serviceable with Powell and McGuire. I do like the signing. Not a fan of tweets but hopefully that will fade.

[UntouchableCrew]

5 minutes ago, Thai Jet said:

1st up Forte RETIRED. He was terrific in his prime and a fantastic pass catching RB. Crowell brings these same qualities in a younger package, he's only 25. He's averaged 4.2 YPC on over 700 carries. Situation was crazy in Cleveland .

Yes, Forte was terrific in his prime... For the Chicago Bears. He was done here whether he retired or not.

RBs like Crowell are a dime a dozen, didn't like the signing then and don't like it now.

[k-met57]

i am very on the fence about this guy, mostly because of that picture he posted...just hard to get behind that kind of a guy.

[Thai Jet]

Just now, UntouchableCrew said:

Yes, Forte was terrific in his prime... For the Chicago Bears. He was done here whether he retired or not.

RBs like Crowell are a dime a dozen, didn't like the signing then and don't like it now.

Would you rather to have signed McKinnon for $40 billion more ? He was my 1st choice because he's a better pass catcher but he got insane money from the 49ers. Waaaay too rich for my blood. Crowell will be fine. Mark it.

[Thai Jet]

4 minutes ago, Cyberjet said:

I just think he feels it's not worth investing prime $$ on a RB. He's not alone in this way of thinking. He may have underperformed but it was a poor team. Game circumstances may have biased his performance such as stacking the box or having to pass ... I think it was a clever gamble. He's not going to be awful and at the very least he will be serviceable with Powell and McGuire. I do like the signing. Not a fan of tweets but hopefully that will fade.

Having QB's like Kizer and Hogan certainly doesn't help your run game.

[Gas2No99]

1 hour ago, Thai Jet said:

1st up Forte RETIRED. He was terrific in his prime and a fantastic pass catching RB. Crowell brings these same qualities in a younger package, he's only 25. He's averaged 4.2 YPC on over 700 carries. Situation was crazy in Cleveland .

I liked the signing as well. 

Crowell can be the more physical back in the same role that Chris Ivory played in '15 (and Bowles preferred) but younger and with better hands out of the backfield.

It's a solid signing of a young RB who can contribute a physical style to the run game and Mac didn't break the bank for a 1 year deal that can extend to 3 years at the Jets' choosing. HE's being paid LESS THAN Josh Martin!??!!?

 

 

 

[Larz]

1 hour ago, Cyberjet said:

I just think he feels it's not worth investing prime $$ on a RB. He's not alone in this way of thinking. He may have underperformed but it was a poor team. Game circumstances may have biased his performance such as stacking the box or having to pass ... I think it was a clever gamble. He's not going to be awful and at the very least he will be serviceable with Powell and McGuire. I do like the signing. Not a fan of tweets but hopefully that will fade.

4 million a year is prime money? 

That's just a little more than Powell 

 

 

[Joejet]

I’m not sure how Crowell has underachieved.  He averaged 4.1 per carry last year with a team that had a rookie qb and was 0-16.  He has averaged 4.2 for his career.  Zeke Elliot averaged 4.1 last year, Leonard Fournette averaged 3.9 last year.  Todd Gurley averaged 4.6 last year but is 4.2 for his career.  It seems like the stats would say Crowell is fairly even with some big name runners.

[Greenseed4]

Good article on the zone blocking scheme 

https://www.sbnation.com/2014/7/25/5928877/alex-gibbs-seahawks-broncos-texans-nfl-zone-blocking

Ideally, we build an offense that can have ANY running back come in and excel; the sturdier the better. 

Crowell is good. I like Maguire too. 

[RichardTodd27]

I was really hoping we'd get Carlos Hyde in free agency. I felt at times (when healthy) he's been one of the more effective rbs.

That said, Crowell and is younger and more durable (also my 2nd choice behind Hyde).

Not sure what San Fran was thinking with McKinon.

[Gas2No99]

11 minutes ago, Greenseed4 said:

Good article on the zone blocking scheme 

https://www.sbnation.com/2014/7/25/5928877/alex-gibbs-seahawks-broncos-texans-nfl-zone-blocking

Ideally, we build an offense that can have ANY running back come in and excel; the sturdier the better. 

Crowell is good. I like Maguire too. 

late 90's Broncos say hello. It's a cost saving scheme that puts a lower price tag value on OLine and RBs. 

Mike Anderson, Orlandis Gary, Terrelle Davis, Howrd Griffith, etc. 

[Grandy]

2 hours ago, UntouchableCrew said:

Never understood Mac's obsession with a well paid middle of the road veteran RB. We're able to dump Forte so he brings this guy in... A guy who underachieved behind a good o-line in Cleveland.

He just turned 25

[Gas2No99]

2 minutes ago, Grandy said:

He just turned 25

He's been in the league 4 years. He is a VETERAN in addition to being 25. 

[JetFaninMI]

I am kinda wait and see with this guy. I will give him the benefit of the doubt because he was with Cleveland but I just  have some reservations. TC will tell the tale on the Jets RB situation.

[Greenseed4]

55 minutes ago, Gas2No99 said:

late 90's Broncos say hello. It's a cost saving scheme that puts a lower price tag value on OLine and RBs. 

Mike Anderson, Orlandis Gary, Terrelle Davis, Howrd Griffith, etc. 

Yes, the scheme we are implementing hails from the late 90’s Gibbs/Shanahan tree.  It’s all in the article I shared in my post. It’s an interesting read if you have the time.

 

[Mavericknyc1980]

Kid played well on. Terrible team.  He will have an Ivory like impact 

[Larz]

2 hours ago, Greenseed4 said:

Good article on the zone blocking scheme 

https://www.sbnation.com/2014/7/25/5928877/alex-gibbs-seahawks-broncos-texans-nfl-zone-blocking

Ideally, we build an offense that can have ANY running back come in and excel; the sturdier the better. 

Crowell is good. I like Maguire too. 

They were quick and athletic, and if their cut blocking rankled opponents who deemed it dangerous or career-threatening, it was also well within the rules."

The article is from 2014, anybody know if there have been any rule changes? 

[Gas2No99]

17 minutes ago, Larz said:

They were quick and athletic, and if their cut blocking rankled opponents who deemed it dangerous or career-threatening, it was also well within the rules."

The article is from 2014, anybody know if there have been any rule changes? 

 

 

The NFL passed a proposal banning all chop blocks, but there's still plenty of ambiguity with the new rule.

 

NFL owners voted for seven rules changes on Tuesday as part of their annual meetings, and probably the highest-profile change was the total banishment of chop blocks. This news was met with a lot of confusion. Many fans had believed that chop blocks were already illegal -- and most already were -- while others incorrectly believed that cut blocks, a staple of many blocking schemes, were now outlawed.

First of all, if your team runs a zone-blocking scheme, there's no immediate reason to start panicking. Just to make it clear, cut blocks in one-on-one blocking situations remain legal, but the rule change that eliminates chop blocks will certainly have an effect on line play going forward. Furthermore, the change will likely create a little more ambiguity for referees, and that gray area could be something to watch this upcoming season.

So let's lay it all out.

Some chop blocks were already illegal

The main distinction between cut blocks and illegal chop blocks is that in most cases, players were not allowed to cut block a player who is already engaged with a teammate. This is what's called a "high-low" block, and apart from a few specific situations, it has already been illegal.

Check out the Dolphins left tackle in the play below. He's engaged with Jets defensive end Leonard Williams as tight end Jordan Cameron slices across the formation and chops him down from his feet. This has been, and will continue to be, illegal.

 

On the play below -- a pass play -- Rams left tackle Greg Robinson gets called for a chop block because when he takes out No. 97 Caraun Reid, Reid is already engaged with the left guard.

 

However, if this had been a run play, it may not have been flagged. Here's why.

This type of chop block was legal last year, but is now illegal

There were still a few instances last year in the NFL where it was legal to chop block a player who was already engaged with a fellow offensive lineman.

As it was written in the 2015 rulebook:

A Chop Block is a block by the offense in which one offensive player (designated as A1 for purposes of this rule) blocks a defensive player in the area of the thigh or lower while another offensive player (A2) engages that same defensive player above the waist.

A Chop Block is a legal block in the following situations on Running Plays:

-- Offensive players A1 and A2, who are initially aligned adjacent to each other on the line of scrimmage, may chop a defensive player.

-- Offensive players A1 and A2, who are initially aligned more than one position away from each other on the line of scrimmage, may chop a defensive player when the flow of the play is toward the block.

This play below, as laid out by Brandon Thorn on Twitter, shows you a formerly legal version of the chop block.

Tricks of the trade for DL vs the run especially vs Combo blocks. Holding the OL, preventing him from releasing. pic.twitter.com/PSSXTtjleQ

— Brandon Thorn (@VeteranScout) March 17, 2016

As Thorn points out, defensive linemen who are facing double teams from offensive linemen may sometimes try to hold on to the first lineman in hopes of keeping him from getting into the second level to block linebackers. Last year, the second of the two adjacent linemen could chop down that defensive lineman if he was holding on a little too long. This means the defensive lineman has to keep his head on a swivel.

Former Giants tackle Geoff Schwartz reacted to the news with frustration.

The best way to get a DT to not hold us on double teams, is a chop block. Now there's nothing to stop them. Fun times.

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) March 22, 2016

While defenders are certainly happy about the rule change, many offensive linemen will have to alter the way they play, particularly on those combo blocks.

These type of cut blocks are still legal

That said, of course, one-on-one cut blocks going in the direction or flow of the play are still legal, and will still feature prominently in many NFL offenses. Zone blocking schemes -- featured in Seattle, Houston, Denver and several others -- use cut blocks as a part of their strategy, typically on the backside of plays to try to take away pursuit, away from the ball. Offensive linemen will dive at defensive players' legs to knock them to the ground, and this is still legal as long as it's going in the same direction of the play.

Take left guard Justin Britt in the example below. This is still legal because it's clearly one-on-one and the nose tackle is not being engaged by another offensive lineman.

In the very next play below, the two cut blocks with the right guard and right tackle are also still legal. This is a method of pass protection meant to clear passing lanes on quick throws.

So, cut blocks remain. But, the elimination of those combo chop blocks means, as usual with NFL rules, that there will be some gray area.

There's a gray area

Oh joy, more ambiguity and "judgment calls" in football!

With the announcement that the double-team chop blocks are now illegal going forward, several former and current players reacted on Twitter.

Rule change on #ChopBlock will be hard to enforce. Judgement call by ref, am I ENGAGED or AVOIDING the DL? #GoodLuck

— Shaun O'Hara (@ShaunOHara60) March 22, 2016

As O'Hara points out, it's not always crystal clear what's going through an offensive lineman's head when he's blocking, and being "engaged" can be a little vague. Packers lineman T.J. Lang agreed.

100%.. Hard to avoid that 3 tech when he is grabbing and trying to prevent his LB from getting blocked. https://t.co/v8xQ3jz24k

— TJ Lang (@TJLang70) March 22, 2016

 

Take these examples from Duke Manyweather of where the gray area might show up.

Legal or illegal?!? pic.twitter.com/NZwi79go1z

— Duke Manyweather (@BigDuke50) March 22, 2016

You can see the center quickly punch with his right hand before moving downfield, and the defender is quickly cut down by the right guard immediately after. Is this going to be considered illegal? Was the center "engaged" with that defensive lineman?

Here's another example. The same question could be posed: Does the center disengage from his block before the left guard throws his chop?

Legal or illegal? pic.twitter.com/v2muPxv8UI

— Duke Manyweather (@BigDuke50) March 22, 2016

We're probably going to be arguing about this exact type of thing next year.

The elimination of the chop block is about player safety, so offensive linemen are just going to have to adjust. If you were initially freaked out thinking that the cut block had been completely eliminated from the game, fear not. Your favorite zone-blocking team will still be able to throw cuts on the backsides of plays, and ultimately, the banishment of the chop block isn't likely to create a sea change in how teams block or how they run the football.

[Gas2No99]

1 hour ago, Greenseed4 said:

Yes, the scheme we are implementing hails from the late 90’s Gibbs/Shanahan tree.  It’s all in the article I shared in my post. It’s an interesting read if you have the time.

 

It's an old article that I'm quite familiar with. I've also posted a similar one ('17 Bills preview) of how Dennison likes to run his offense and sites his time as running Coordinator in Denver w/ Bates. 

As long as Bates and Dennison remain, we won't be drafting OLine or RBs too high in the draft. 

[Tony MaC]

I think he winds up replacing Powell as the team's resident veteran running back next year. This team has a weird history of not drafting RB's over this past century. I don't remember where I read this but there was a stat where we had drafted the fewest rookie RB's out of any team in the NFL, we've usually signed talent from free agency instead.

Crowell is just the latest in that trend, and not a bad one by any stretch. His numbers are good, the money it took to pay him was just right, and he has some upside left to offer. He can catch on and be a 1k yard leading back, or maybe he'll just miss that. Either way I'm happy to have him.

[UntouchableCrew]

2 hours ago, Grandy said:

He just turned 25

Right -- he's a veteran FA instead of a draft pick.

[Tony MaC]

3 minutes ago, Gas2No99 said:

It's an old article that I'm quite familiar with. I've also posted a similar one ('15 Bills preview) of how Dennison likes to run his offense and sites his time as running Coordinator in Denver w/ Bates. 

As long as Bates and Dennison remain, we won't be drafting OLine or RBs too high in the draft. 

I get your meaning, its not a power blocking scheme so we can afford to avoid investing premium assets at these position regularly. But I wouldn't be surprised if a Left Tackle wound up a BPA pick in the draft or something. We all know how Maccagnan likes to do that.

[Gas2No99]

1 minute ago, Tony MaC said:

I get your meaning, its not a power blocking scheme so we can afford to avoid investing premium assets at these position regularly. But I wouldn't be surprised if a Left Tackle wound up a BPA pick in the draft or something. We all know how Maccagnan likes to do that.

I agree. I DESPERATELY want a LEGIT Pass blocking STUD LT. 

I just know it won't be that high of a priority as it may have been under different regimes/schemes. 

[Thai Jet]

5 hours ago, RichardTodd27 said:

I was really hoping we'd get Carlos Hyde in free agency. I felt at times (when healthy) he's been one of the more effective rbs.

That said, Crowell and is younger and more durable (also my 2nd choice behind Hyde).

Not sure what San Fran was thinking with McKinon.

Prior to his contract year Hyde averaged 17 catches a year vs. 24 for Crowell. He's 3 yrs. older and signed for $5 mil. per , $1 mil more per year than Crowell. I'm quite happy with Crowell for less money and younger.

[Thai Jet]

5 hours ago, Gas2No99 said:

late 90's Broncos say hello. It's a cost saving scheme that puts a lower price tag value on OLine and RBs. 

Mike Anderson, Orlandis Gary, Terrelle Davis, Howrd Griffith, etc. 

YUP,  They could plug in you or I and we'd run for 1,000 yds.

[Thai Jet]

4 hours ago, Greenseed4 said:

Yes, the scheme we are implementing hails from the late 90’s Gibbs/Shanahan tree.  It’s all in the article I shared in my post. It’s an interesting read if you have the time.

 

Would have made a nice separate thread.

[Warfish]

12 hours ago, k-met57 said:

i am very on the fence about this guy, mostly because of that picture he posted...just hard to get behind that kind of a guy.

Be careful mate, posts like yours are up for being deleted.  My post on it was.

All I can say (without, I hope, being censored this time) is that it's going to be very difficult given all that's going and gone on to keep these important off-field issues separate from materially less important on-field pro-Jets feelings.

/shrug.

[Gas2No99]

1 hour ago, Warfish said:

Be careful mate, posts like yours are up for being deleted.  My post on it was.

All I can say (without, I hope, being censored this time) is that it's going to be very difficult given all that's going and gone on to keep these important off-field issues separate from materially less important on-field pro-Jets feelings.

/shrug.

[New York Mick]

His year is going to depend on the oline. If they suck he’s going to be killed. 

[k-met57]

17 hours ago, Warfish said:

Be careful mate, posts like yours are up for being deleted.  My post on it was.

All I can say (without, I hope, being censored this time) is that it's going to be very difficult given all that's going and gone on to keep these important off-field issues separate from materially less important on-field pro-Jets feelings.

/shrug.

yeah i dunno, i am not trying to get political or push my feelings onto anyone else...just facts here...he posted something very inappropriate on Instagram, which rightfully has made me question if i can root for him on the jets. the end.

[Dcat]

1 hour ago, k-met57 said:

yeah i dunno, i am not trying to get political or push my feelings onto anyone else...just facts here...he posted something very inappropriate on Instagram, which rightfully has made me question if i can root for him on the jets. the end.

My future son-in-law is the youngest New Jersey State Trooper (until this Junes graduating class from the hell otherwise known as the trooper training academy).  We are proud of the work he does and pray for his safety.  He has already saved lives.  I too find Crowell's instagram post from last year despicable.  So I hear you.  I'll root for him to gain yards and TDs, but the guy will never be ok in my book.  Basically, he is an inappropriate, ignorant dimwit and none of us has to like him because he is a Jet.  I sure won't.

[ARodJetsFan]

On ‎5‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 9:14 AM, Thai Jet said:

1st up Forte RETIRED. He was terrific in his prime and a fantastic pass catching RB. Crowell brings these same qualities in a younger package, he's only 25. He's averaged 4.2 YPC on over 700 carries. Situation was crazy in Cleveland .

I like the signing myself and I think Crowell's an underrated acquisition.