RB Michael Carter Was Elated with the Jets Signing of Pro Bowl LG Laken Tomlinson

[LIJetsFan]

Second-Year Pro Never Staying Too Comfortable; Complimentary of Entire Jets Backfield

Jul 18, 2022 at 08:00 AM Jack Bell NYJETS.COM CONTRIBUTOR

If personality, insight and candor could win football games, Jets running back Michael Carter would be hitting paydirt every time he touched the ball.

Heading into only his second season in the NFL, the University of North Carolina man has quietly but quickly emerged as an amusing and honest commentator on the state of the Green & White.

Asked a few weeks ago if the drafting of Iowa State RB Breece Hall would have a negative impact on the number of Carter's touches, he didn't blink and he wasn't being disingenuous when he said: "There's enough for all of us to eat."

In the ultimate team game, Carter is the ultimate team player. Powerfully built at 5-8, 210, Carter emerged as the Jets' No. 1 option in a running-back-by-committee approach that last season included the veteran Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson. Ahead of the start of training camp in late July, Carter and Hall are believed to be the emerging tandem, with Coleman, Johnson, La'Mical Perine and the undrafted free agent Zonovan "Bam" Knight contending for the remaining snaps and roster spots.

"From top to bottom, it's a really good group, with new guys and guys returning," he said. "Another guy I'd like to put on the spot is Perine, he works his butt off every day. People are going to say what they're going to say. He works hard, we all work hard. We're all talented.

"Of the new guys, Breece showed a lot in college. I'm excited to see him transition [to the NFL]. Along with Bam he's an excellent player. I can't believe he went undrafted. I played against him three times in college. I can't believe he went undrafted; he's going to make the league pay."

Asked if he felt like a young veteran ahead of his second season, Michael Carter was typically Michael Carter: "A little bit, actually, no, yeah, a little bit."

In 14 games last season (11 starts), Carter, 22, amassed 639 yards (4.3 yards a carry) and 4 TD rushing, he added 36 receptions for 325 yards (9 yards a reception).

"I feel comfortable, but never too comfortable," he said. "At the end of the day, this is my job. I'm having a lot of fun in the building back around the guys, learning more and understanding where my game can go. I've got bigger goals and I'm trying to bring guys along with me."

Carter, along with second-year quarterback Zach Wilson, are only two of the Jets players on offense who will benefit from the arrival in free agency of left guard Laken Tomlinson from the 49ers.

"The first thing I did after hearing the news was I hit up Coach Embree [Taylor Embree, the Jets second-year running backs coach who was with San Fran from 2017-19]. All year we would watch blocking clips, and he'd just say 'look at Lak look at Lak.' Every week he said something about Laken. Fast forward and we sign Laken. I couldn't believe it. I texted him and AVT [Alijah Vera-Tucker] and asked who's going to wear No. 75. They said they had already figured it out. I'm excited to have Laken here. He's an awesome person and an amazing player, a ProBowler. Super cool.

"You can't win without being close to your teammates. Do your job and the rest will take care of itself."

[chirorob]

I really do like him.   I would expect to see a running back excited to see a pro bowl lineman signed to help him look good, but his reaction when they drafted Hall showed a great deal about his character.   Plus, he is right, 17 game season, plenty of touches for both of them, each could get 200 carries in a season, that is only an average of 12 carries a game per back.

[Integrity28]

If the potential of this group is realized, it will easily be the most prolific running game we’ve fielded.

There aren’t many weak spots in that list of names. I’m really into Zonovan Knight in our blocking scheme too.

I can see us flipping Ty, Tevin it Lamichael for draft capital. Can’t carry 6 into the season.

[LIJetsFan]

I bolded out what I thought was the most significant gem in the article.  The RB coach/room  watched (league wide? ) blocking tape all season and Lak stood out and boom JD signed Lak thereafter.   

A coach raves about a player and JD goes out and gets him.  

[Doggin94it]

17 minutes ago, Integrity28 said:

If the potential of this group is realized, it will easily be the most prolific running game we’ve fielded.

There aren’t many weak spots in that list of names. I’m really into Zonovan Knight in our blocking scheme too.

I can see us flipping Ty, Tevin it Lamichael for draft capital. Can’t carry 6 into the season.

Well, at least since the 2004 Curtis-Jordan tandem went for 2,100 yards combined

[Joe W. Namath]

If Perine every gets a shot, watch out.  

[chirorob]

11 minutes ago, Doggin94it said:

Well, at least since the 2004 Curtis-Jordan tandem went for 2,100 yards combined

2009 team also, they rushed for a combined 2750, with Thomas Jones going for 1400 and 14 touchdowns.

[freestater]

Quote

 Of the new guys, Breece showed a lot in college. I'm excited to see him transition [to the NFL]. Along with Bam he's an excellent player. I can't believe he went undrafted. I played against him three times in college. I can't believe he went undrafted; he's going to make the league pay. Especially that scumbag, Belichick

. 

I thought this part was interesting. 

[bitonti]

35 minutes ago, Integrity28 said:

If the potential of this group is realized, it will easily be the most prolific running game we’ve fielded.

I don't understand how a team supposedly built around running can have no placekicker and a terrible defense 

usually run first teams win by specials and defense. There's no plan to run when you're down 21 at halftime  

this whole "running game looking great" that's good news if they were trying to win games in 1965

this team will go as far as Zach's completion percentage takes them 

 

[Hal N of Provo]

1 minute ago, bitonti said:

I don't understand how a team supposedly built around running can have no placekicker and a terrible defense 

usually run first teams win by specials and defense. There's no plan to run when you're down 21 at halftime  

this whole "running game looking great" that's good news if they were trying to win games in 1965

this team will go as far as Zach's completion percentage takes them 

 

LB is the only weak group left on D.  
 

Yeah the kicker thing is weird.   This isn’t fantasy football.  You can’t grab a new one off the waiver wire every week lol 

[bitonti]

4 minutes ago, Hal N of Provo said:

LB is the only weak group left on D.  
 

Yeah the kicker thing is weird.   This isn’t fantasy football.  You can’t grab a new one off the waiver wire every week lol 

besides the terrible LB they look like the worst run stopping team in football, fwiw 

The D line is all geared toward pass rush, there's no heart in the middle of the defense 

the kickers were so bad in OTA that Connor said the  2022 starter probably isn't on the roster

[Hal N of Provo]

5 minutes ago, bitonti said:

besides the terrible LB they look like the worst run stopping team in football, fwiw 

The D line is all geared toward pass rush, there's no heart in the middle of the defense 

the kickers were so bad in OTA that Connor said the  2022 starter probably isn't on the roster

The DLine schemed needs good LBs behind it if it’s going to work.  I think they upgraded CBs to get a safety in the box maybe?

 

 Bad news about the kickers.   Bring back Amendola.  He was only missing the long stuff.  

[bitonti]

4 minutes ago, Hal N of Provo said:

  I think they upgraded CBs to get a safety in the box maybe? 

that's what they say  - I guess we will see 

it's a long mental road to connect the drafting of Sauce to improvement of the run D

 

[Hal N of Provo]

7 minutes ago, bitonti said:

that's what they say  - I guess we will see 

it's a long mental road to connect the drafting of Sauce to improvement of the run D

 

Sauce looks amazing in college but he’s going to get flagged for PI unless he breaks all his habits at once.   It’s going to be interesting.  
 

They gave themselves another off-season to complete their rebuild.  In their plan.   Hopefully there are only a few holes after this season.  

[bitonti]

1 minute ago, Hal N of Provo said:

Sauce looks amazing in college but he’s going to get flagged for PI unless he breaks all his habits at once.   It’s going to be interesting.  
 

They gave themselves another off-season to complete their rebuild.  In their plan.   Hopefully there are only a few holes after this season.  

The NFL Can call or not call PI based on their whims. Same with holding. 

they don't make these calls in the playoffs - for example how Jalen Ramsey got pulled down by Tee Higgins (OPI) in the SB 

Sauce might get picked on depending on the crew but there's a real chance this player will be excellent right from the start

especially if refs "let them play" 

 

[slats]

1 hour ago, bitonti said:

I don't understand how a team supposedly built around running can have no placekicker and a terrible defense 

usually run first teams win by specials and defense. There's no plan to run when you're down 21 at halftime  

this whole "running game looking great" that's good news if they were trying to win games in 1965

this team will go as far as Zach's completion percentage takes them 

 

Yeah, I couldn’t help but notice that they didn’t do anything at all on defense this offseason. And kickers? Hell yeah! It is called football. Duh. 

[jgb]

1 hour ago, bitonti said:

I don't understand how a team supposedly built around running can have no placekicker and a terrible defense 

usually run first teams win by specials and defense. There's no plan to run when you're down 21 at halftime  

this whole "running game looking great" that's good news if they were trying to win games in 1965

this team will go as far as Zach's completion percentage takes them 

 

Like once every ten years we find a kicker then let them walk for a couple mill. Those cap rollover dollars, though.

[PepPep]

1 hour ago, Integrity28 said:

If the potential of this group is realized, it will easily be the most prolific running game we’ve fielded.

There aren’t many weak spots in that list of names. I’m really into Zonovan Knight in our blocking scheme too.

I can see us flipping Ty, Tevin it Lamichael for draft capital. Can’t carry 6 into the season.

Lol not happening. 

Here's whats going to happen-IMO. The Jets will carry 3 RBs and a FB/H-Back for a total of 4 on the 53 man roster. Two of them will definitely be Carter and Hall. Call whichever you want the starter. I think both will get a close to the same amount of snaps barring injury. Coleman will be the vet backup or #3 RB. He knows the system, he can block, he can catch, he is a true veteran, Saleh has familiarity with him, and he still has just enough gas in the tank that he can fill in if needed as a #3. We saw him have a couple of good games last year in a supporting role with limited snaps. 

This is a very solid, versatile trio behind the stout run blocking line I expect us to have. 

I think Knight will make PS and Ty, being no longer eligible (if I am not mistaken) will get cut. As will Perine because he has shown very little promise since he got drafted.     

With the low value of RBs these days none of these guys will be getting you anything in a trade. Not Ty, nor Coleman, nor Knight and certainly not Perine. Nothing, Nada, Zilch, Zippo. 

[Barry McCockinner]

I'm surprised he wasn't really sad at the loss of Van Roten.

[LIJetsFan]

On a side note: 

JD going out and getting Lak after his CS raves about him further supports my (and others) pet theory that both Becton and Mims where in large part on Gase.  JD is the GM and ultimately responsible but it seems this is just how JD rolls 

[Joe W. Namath]

A thread about how good and exciting our young rb core is turns into a "this defense stinks and so do our kickers" thread.

The disease jet fans have is just awful.  

[LIJetsFan]

2 minutes ago, Joe W. Namath said:

A thread about how good and exciting our young rb core is turns into a "this defense stinks and so do our kickers" thread.

The disease jet fans have is just awful.  

Nah, IMHO it's a legit tack.  If we're a run first team (big if IMHO) then a look at our kicker/defense is relevant.  However, me personally I don't thing our defense will stink.  

[SickJetFan]

1 hour ago, bitonti said:

besides the terrible LB they look like the worst run stopping team in football, fwiw 

The D line is all geared toward pass rush, there's no heart in the middle of the defense 

the kickers were so bad in OTA that Connor said the  2022 starter probably isn't on the roster

" worst run stopping team in football"

this will happen to any team always playing from behind and that has to deal with a lot of 3 and outs from offense.

Not that I think they were good...just sayin

[Barry McCockinner]

16 minutes ago, LIJetsFan said:

On a side note: 

JD going out and getting Lak after his CS raves about him further supports my (and others) pet theory that both Becton and Mims where in large part on Gase.  JD is the GM and ultimately responsible but it seems this is just how JD rolls 

There is some level of coach input with every GM in the league. Some more than others I'm sure but even if the input is on the lower end of the scale the GM is still drafting for the current offensive and defensive systems in place. People acting like draft classes are purely the result of the GM and have nothing to do with the CS have their heads in the sand (to put it nicely).

It's one of the reasons I'm excited to see how the defense improves this year. We had been a 3-4 for so long and now have 2 full off-season's targeting the new system. There should be major improvement there this season.

[slats]

2 hours ago, bitonti said:

besides the terrible LB they look like the worst run stopping team in football, fwiw 

 

2 hours ago, bitonti said:

this whole "running game looking great" that's good news if they were trying to win games in 1965

So the Jets aren’t going to be good because they can’t stop the run and also aren’t going to be good because they want to run the ball, themselves. Got it. 

[PepPep]

1 hour ago, bitonti said:

I don't understand how a team supposedly built around running can have no placekicker and a terrible defense 

usually run first teams win by specials and defense. There's no plan to run when you're down 21 at halftime  

this whole "running game looking great" that's good news if they were trying to win games in 1965

this team will go as far as Zach's completion percentage takes them 

 

I mean, they DID draft two defensive players in the first round and sign a potential #1 CB in FA to address the defense. Like, give some credit where its due. JD addressed the defense. Did he go far enough? We shall see. I think there is a LB signing on the horizon to add to the depth. 

As far as kicker, sure I agree. But the Jets have a pretty darn consistent kicker in Eddy P.

Zuerlein is here for competition and because if his leg. I think Eddy ends up with the job if he can remain consistent like he did all of last year. 

[Integrity28]

3 hours ago, bitonti said:

I don't understand how a team supposedly built around running can have no placekicker and a terrible defense 

usually run first teams win by specials and defense. There's no plan to run when you're down 21 at halftime  

this whole "running game looking great" that's good news if they were trying to win games in 1965

this team will go as far as Zach's completion percentage takes them 

 

[The Crusher]

6 minutes ago, Integrity28 said:

I hope that little girl has had a wonderful life. That gif has given so much joy. LOL

[bitonti]

1 hour ago, slats said:

 

So the Jets aren’t going to be good because they can’t stop the run and also aren’t going to be good because they want to run the ball, themselves. Got it. 

No. They aren't going to be good because Zach wilson was overdrafted 

It's a passing league and they don't pass well enough. Making this strong run game is a ploy to protect Zach. Who isn't very good 

[BigRy56]

How could he not be? Add in Laken and Becton comes back healthy, he's running through wide open lanes all year

[rangerous]

the oline is the best it's been in quite some time and so are the rb's.  imo this group is better than 2009 and 2010.  add in the wr's, also better now than then, and te's, and it's easy to see them scoring in the mid 20's per game.

[jetstream23]

7 hours ago, Integrity28 said:

If the potential of this group is realized, it will easily be the most prolific running game we’ve fielded.

There aren’t many weak spots in that list of names. I’m really into Zonovan Knight in our blocking scheme too.

I can see us flipping Ty, Tevin it Lamichael for draft capital. Can’t carry 6 into the season.

Drafting AVT and Michael Carter was big last year.

Signing Laken Tomlinson and drafting Breece Hall were really big this year.

But I think the single biggest asset to the running game this year will simply be that it's Year 2 in the system.  This wide/outside ZB scheme notoriously takes a while to install and get comfortable with.  It's based on timing, footwork, having OLinemen hit moving targets at the second level like linebackers, etc.  Mike Shanahan is the real architect of this thing in my opinion.  It turned Terrell Davis (a very good but not great RB IMO) into a 2,000 yard per season stud.  We saw the Broncos rotate no-name RBs thru their system for 4-5 years and all those guys were gaining 1,000 yards a season.  It's the system and I'm really excited to see how it looks in Year 2 here.  I think the 2023 season is where it could really flourish and give the Jets a Top 10 rushing attack in the NFL.

[The Crusher]

4 hours ago, bitonti said:

No. They aren't going to be good because Zach wilson was overdrafted 

It's a passing league and they don't pass well enough. Making this strong run game is a ploy to protect Zach. Who isn't very good 

Yeah, too bad we don't have a former Superbowl MVP QB ready for one more shot at glory. 

[Long Island Leprechaun]

4 hours ago, bitonti said:

No. They aren't going to be good because Zach wilson was overdrafted 

It's a passing league and they don't pass well enough. Making this strong run game is a ploy to protect Zach. Who isn't very good 

Well, at least the underlying agenda was flushed out. Man, you may be the most negative poster on this site. Congratulations.

[Warfish]

8 hours ago, bitonti said:

I don't understand how a team supposedly built around running can have no placekicker and a terrible defense 

usually run first teams win by specials and defense. There's no plan to run when you're down 21 at halftime  

this whole "running game looking great" that's good news if they were trying to win games in 1965

this team will go as far as Zach's completion percentage takes them 

Zach will have more opportunity to successfully make completions if the rushing game is consistently productive and can lower the pass rush threat to some degree.

And it has that level of potential.

There is nothing wrong with helping your your QB by taking some amount of pressure off and/or being able to earn yards on the ground as well as through the air.