Sperm Edwards Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 http://www.nypost.com/sports/jets/sanfrancisco_treat_jets_mark_cannizzaro.htm SAN FRANCISCO TREAT By MARK CANNIZZARO August 21, 2006 -- The Jets' pursuit of outside help at running back stretched to San Francisco, where they plucked Kevan Barlow yesterday. The Jets traded an undisclosed draft pick (likely from 2007, when they have a surplus) to the 49ers in exchange for Barlow. The agreement with the 49ers is in principle pending Barlow's passing of a physical that'll be conducted today at Weeb Ewbank Hall. "We have been impressed with Kevan's production in both the running and passing game," Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said yesterday. "We feel Kevan will complement our running back group, and he will come in and compete for playing time." The 6-1, 234-pound Barlow, in his sixth NFL season, has played in 72 career games with 30 starts and has gained 3,614 rushing yards on 891 carries. He has a 4.1 career rushing average and has scored 24 touchdowns. Last season, Barlow rushed for 581 yards on 176 carries. He ran for a season-high 101 yards on 26 carries against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 30 to mark his fifth career 100-yard game. Barlow recorded his first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2003 with a career-high 1,024 yards and captured a career-high seven touchdowns the following season. He was originally drafted by San Francisco in the third round of the 2001 draft after playing collegiate ball at Pittsburgh. While at Pitt, the 27-year-old Barlow gained 2,324 yards on 486 carries with 20 touchdowns, and was the ninth player in school history to rush for over 2,000 yards, and did so in only 15 starts. Barlow's acquisition comes a week after the Jets tried to trade for Lee Suggs from the Browns in exchange for DB Derrick Strait. That deal, of course, was voided when Suggs failed to pass the Jets' physical and was sent back to Cleveland. The expectation for Barlow is that he'll nudge his way into playing time with Derrick Blaylock, Cedric Houston and rookie Leon Washington. The trade for Barlow came only hours after the Jets had their best rushing performance of the preseason Saturday night in Washington, where they rushed for 216 yards and a 5.3-yard average. Blaylock, after 46 yards on 10 carries in the first half against the Redskins' first-team defense, was complimented by Eric Mangini for hitting the holes hard. Houston rushed for 53 yards on 14 carries. But Barlow is a more accomplished back with more starting experience than both Blaylock and Houston. He became expendable for the 49ers with Frank Gore starting and rookie Michael Robinson gaining playing time along with Maurice Hicks. Barlow missed four games in 2005 because of a knee injury and has carried only twice this preseason. "This is a great opportunity for Kevan, because of New York's need for a running back," 49ers head coach Mike Nolan said in a statement. "Kevan has been committed to our program and done well. With the depth at running back, we felt we could make this move." The Jets had been in significant talks with the Falcons regarding T.J. Duckett. But Atlanta was seeking a player in return, believed to be WR Justin McCareins, and the Jets felt they didn't want to hurt depth at one position while trying to help that of another. The Jets' need for a running back, of course, stems from Curtis Martin's ominous and mysterious absence from practice. He's on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) and there's been so little talk of his return that speculation has begun wondering whether he'll come back at all. mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/story/445278p-374965c.html Jets hand off to Barlow Niner runs to physical BY RICH CIMINI DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Monday, August 21st, 2006 Here they go again. For the second time in six days, the Jets have traded for a running back who underwent knee surgery last January. This time, they hope he can pass the physical. Kevan Barlow, say hello to the MRI machine. The Jets, apparently convinced that Curtis Martin (knee) isn't going to be ready for the season, traded an undisclosed 2007 draft choice to the 49ers yesterday in exchange for Barlow, once considered a rising star. The pick is believed to be a fourth-rounder. Barlow, who was singing "New York, New York" in the locker room last week amid swirling trade rumors, received the news at the 49ers' team hotel as he was preparing to board a bus to last night's game in Oakland. Instead of a visit to the Black Hole, he took a red-eye to New York. This morning, Barlow will undergo a physical, which no longer can be considered a slam dunk. Five days ago, the Jets flunked the Browns' Lee Suggs because of concerns about a knee that was surgically repaired in college and again after last season, although the latter was only an arthroscopic procedure. Barlow missed the final four games of 2005, and he, too, went for a 'scope in January. He didn't participate in a May minicamp, raising questions, but he hasn't missed any time in training camp because of the knee. After killing the Suggs deal, the Jets focused their attention on Barlow and the Falcons' T.J. Duckett. Why Barlow? The Falcons' price may have been too rich for the Jets, who might not have been willing to part with wide receiver Justin McCareins or a third-round pick. "We have been impressed with Kevan's production in both the running and passing game," GM Mike Tannenbaum said in a statement. "We feel Kevan will complement our running-back group, and he will come in and compete for playing time." Evidently, Derrick Blaylock's performance Saturday night in Washington - 46 yards on 10 carries - did nothing to dissuade the front office from pursuing a back. Barlow, a third-round pick of the 49ers in 2001, emerged as potential star with a 1,024-yard season in 2003. He received a five-year, $20 million contract, but his production dropped to 822 yards and 581 in 2004 and 2005, respectively. His 3.3 per-carry average last season was the lowest among the league's top 35 rushers. And he's due nearly $10 million over the final three years of his contract. That he played behind a poor offensive line was a factor in the dropoff. Barlow also turned off some in the organization with his attitude. He clashed with former position coach Tim Lappano and fought - literally - with former backfield mate Fred Beasley. Indeed, Barlow doesn't sound like an Eric Mangini type of player. He has been described as a "Me" guy, which won't sit well with the new coach. Just last week, Barlow boasted to a Bay Area newspaper, "Guys like Larry Johnson and Clinton Portis, I feel I can do everything they do. I just haven't been in the position or had the opportunity . . ." From all indications, Barlow was a team player last season, but became expendable because of Frank Gore's emergence. "This is a great opportunity for Kevan, because of New York's need for a running back," said 49ers coach Mike Nolan, who assured Barlow last week that he would not be traded. Years ago, Barlow was mentioned in the same breath as Martin. Both grew up in tough Pittsburgh neighborhoods, both attended Pitt. The Jets hope the similarities don't end there. CHAD PENDING: The Jets didn't say yesterday whether they expect QB Chad Pennington to be at practice today. Pennington was excused over the weekend because his father, Elwood, is hospitalized in Tennessee. The team probably is hoping that Pennington, the presumed starter, will be able to play at least a half against the Giants. . . . On paper, the battle for backup QB is too close to call between Brooks Bollinger, Patrick Ramsey and rookie Kellen Clemens. . . . CB Justin Miller, who had a rough day against the Redskins, could be replaced in the lineup by David Barrett. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 http://www.newsday.com/sports/printedition/ny-spjets214860070aug21,0,6331871.story?coll=ny-sports-print Is Barlow final solution? Former 49ers back can be on field today if he passes physical BY TOM ROCK Newsday Staff Writer August 21, 2006 The Jets traded for a player they hope will help fill the void left by injured running back Curtis Martin. Again. Kevan Barlow, 27, who has been a starting tailback on some terrible teams with the 49ers, was acquired by the Jets yesterday for an undisclosed selection in the 2007 draft. It marks the second time in a week that Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum squeezed the trigger on a deal to add depth, experience - and, yes, ability - to the offensive backfield. Last Monday, the Jets announced a swap that brought Lee Suggs to New York for what amounted to a doctor's appointment. Suggs flunked his team-administered physical and was returned to the Browns before ever taking the field for the Jets. Barlow, who suffered a knee injury last season but has had an otherwise healthy career, is scheduled for that thorough Jets physical this morning. He could be on the practice field this afternoon if he is cleared. Unlike some of the names the Jets had been considering, Barlow has a 1,000-yard rushing season under his belt. In 2003, he gained 1,024 yards while starting only four games for the 49ers, averaging 5.1 yards. His numbers have dipped the last two years, though; he ran for 822 in 2004 and 581, playing only 12 games last season because of a knee injury. He has five 100-yard games in his four-year career with 24 touchdowns and a 4.1 career rushing average. Barlow also has averaged about 33 receptions the last three years. The Jets' offense has shown a propensity for throwing to running backs in the first two preseason games under new coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. "We have been impressed with Kevan's production in both the running and passing game," Tannenbaum said in a statement. "We feel Kevan will complement our running back group, and he will come in and compete for playing time." The trade comes a day after the Jets made strides with 216 rushing yards in a 27-14 win over the Redskins. Cedric Houston ran for 53 yards on 14 carries and Derrick Blaylock 46 yards on 10 touches Saturday night. Rookie Leon Washington ran for 17 yards and returned a kickoff for a score. Though an improvement on the paltry 44 rushing yards the Jets gained in the preseason opener in Tampa, it was not enough to dissuade the team from adding to the position. Martin, No. 4 on the NFL's all-time rushing list, has not practiced with the team this training camp. He has been on the physically unable to perform list since last month and shelved since surgery on his right knee in December. He reportedly has a bone-on-bone condition in that knee. Two weeks ago, Martin said he is continuing to rehab toward his goal of playing this season. The Suggs deal followed by the Barlow trade indicate the Jets are doubtful that Martin will be able to perform by opening day. Barlow has three years left on his contract and is due to earn $2.5 million this season, $3.25 million in 2007 and $4 million in 2008. Barlow backed up Garrison Hearst his first three seasons in San Francisco and when he became the starter in 2004 - the year they went 2-14 - he griped openly about his offensive line. He also feuded with teammate and fullback Fred Beasley, the friction nearly culminating in a physical confrontation before being dismissed by both players last season. The 49ers were willing to give up Barlow because second-year player Frank Gore, who was the team's leading rusher last season, was excelling in camp. "This is a great opportunity for Kevan, because of New York's need for a running back," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said in a statement. "With the depth at running back, we felt we could make this move." And with the Jets' lack of depth at the position, it was a move they had to make. Friday Giants at Jets 8 p.m. TV; Ch. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/115614189871470.xml&coll=1 Jets add RB depth with 49ers' Barlow Monday, August 21, 2006 BY DAVE HUTCHINSON Star-Ledger Staff The Jets got their man -- again. San Francisco running back Kevan Barlow, who was told by 49ers coach Mike Nolan late last week that he wasn't going to be traded, was dealt to the Jets yesterday for an undisclosed draft pick. That pick is believed to be a mid-round selection. Despite the assurance from Nolan, Barlow apparently isn't upset about the trade because he was heard singing "New York, New York," which was playing on his iPod, in the locker room last week in anticipation of such a trade. The deal, of course, is contingent upon Barlow's passing his physical this morning at Hofstra. And that's certainly not a given in the wake of the Browns' Lee Suggs failing a physical on Tuesday because of his surgically repaired left knee and voiding a trade to the Jets that would have sent Derrick Strait to the Browns. Barlow, 27, missed four games last season with a knee injury and is currently nursing a bruised right thigh. The Jets were also hotly pursuing the Falcons' T.J. Duckett and scouted him Saturday night. But it is thought that the asking price, a third-round or perhaps even a second-round pick, was too high. Atlanta apparently wasn't satisfied with Justin McCareins or Strait. The Titans' Chris Brown was also on the Jets' radar. Barlow, 6-1, 234 pounds, is a gifted but sometimes perplexing sixth-year pro out of Pittsburgh. He has rushed for 3,614 yards and 24 touchdowns on 891 carries (4.1-yard average) in 72 career games, 30 of them starts. A starter the past two seasons with the struggling 49ers, he also has 137 career catches for 1,143 yards and three touchdowns. "We have been impressed with Kevan's production in both the running and passing game," Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said in a statement. "We feel Kevan will complement our running back group and he'll come in and compete for playing time." With the career of future Hall of Famer Curtis Martin (knee) in jeopardy, the Jets wanted to bolster their running back position after veteran Derrick Blaylock, second-year pro Cedric Houston and rookie Leon Washington failed to step up. Blaylock (46 yards on 10 carries) and Houston (53 yards on 14 attempts) looked good in Saturday night's 27-14 victory over the Redskins, but it was too little too late. Barlow isn't necessarily the long-term answer, however. After a career year in 2003 in which he rushed for 1,024 yards and six touchdowns on 201 carries (5.1-yard average), he received a long-term contract that included $8 million guaranteed, and he hasn't been the same since. Although he's a big back, critics say Barlow doesn't run hard and doesn't hit the hole with authority. They say he tries to be too much of a finesse back instead of using his size and power. Barlow also clashed with starting fullback Fred Beasley, accusing him of favoring Garrison Hearst over him during the three seasons Hearst and Barlow split time. Last season, Barlow ran for 581 yards and three touchdowns on 178 carries (3.3-yard average). He has averaged just 3.3 yards and 3.4 yards per carry in his past two seasons. This summer, Barlow was battling Frank Gore for the starting job and Gore was leading the competition. The 49ers also drafted Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson and have converted him to running back, thus making Barlow expendable. "This is a great opportunity for Kevan because of New York's need at running back," Nolan said. "Kevan has been committed to our program and done well. With the depth at running back we felt we could make this move." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=SPORTS01 Jets trade for Niners' running back Barlow By MIKE DOUGHERTY THE JOURNAL NEWS (Original Publication: August 21, 2006) The likelihood of Curtis Martin getting back in the game any time soon dwindles with each passing day, so the Jets have been working to implement a backup plan. Yesterday, they sent an undisclosed pick in next year's draft to the San Francisco 49ers for Kevan Barlow. Naturally, the deal is contingent on the sixth-year veteran passing a mandatory physical. Barlow, 27, is considered a talented runner who's capable of playing every down. He ran for 1,024 yards and six touchdowns in 2003, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Barlow played most of that season behind Garrison Hearst. The last two seasons, though, Barlow has been extremely uneven. "We have been impressed with Kevan's production in both the running and the passing game," Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said in a statement. "We feel Kevan will complement our running-back group, and he will come in and compete for playing time." It's the second time in a week the Jets have gone looking for help at running back. They tried to acquire Lee Suggs from Cleveland last Monday in exchange for cornerback Derrick Strait, but the Browns' oft-injured running back failed a physical the following day, and the deal was voided. Another player reportedly under consideration was Atlanta's T.J. Duckett. Martin underwent knee surgery in December and has spent the first three weeks of training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list. There is obviously some fear within the organization that he might be forced to retire. Barlow missed four games last season with a knee injury and ran for 581 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 3.3 yards per carry. He caught 31 passes for another 241 yards. Barlow is under contract for the next three years and will make $2.5 million this season. The former Pittsburgh Panthers star was a third-round choice in 2001 and has a reputation for being temperamental. He has made 30 starts over the years for the 49ers, rushing for 3,614 yards and 24 touchdowns. Barlow has fumbled just nine times in 891 carries. He also has 137 catches for 1,143 yards and three touchdowns. San Francisco apparently is ready to give the starting job to second-year back Frank Gore. "This is a great opportunity for Kevan because of New York's need at running back," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said in a statement. "Kevan has been committed to our program and done well. With the depth at running back, we felt we could make this move." After picking up a mere 44 yards on the ground in the preseason opener 10 days ago at Tampa Bay, the Jets totaled 216 yards Saturday night in Washington. Of course, the leading rusher was quarterback-turned-receiver Brad Smith, whose 61-yard reverse got the Jets on the scoreboard and sparked the offense. Cedric Houston ran for 53 yards on 14 carries, all in the second half. Derrick Blaylock had 46 yards on 10 carries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 http://www.nypost.com/sports/jets/standing_pat__ramsey_so_so_jets_mark_cannizzaro.htm STANDING PAT: RAMSEY SO-SO By MARK CANNIZZARO August 21, 2006 -- Though he hardly looked awful during his chance to play with the first team, Patrick Ramsey didn't look all that much in command in his start against his former team Saturday. Ramsey, in fact, did little to challenge the stranglehold Chad Pennington has on the starting quarterback job. Though Eric Mangini said it was "not likely" he would name the starting QB as soon as this week, trust us on this: Pennington is the man. Mangini even had a hard time mustering up a lot of enthusiasm when asked about Ramsey's performance. His response was lukewarm, at best. "I thought that he did some good things," Mangini said with several uncomfortable pauses. "He just ... early on there he could have gotten rid of the ball a little earlier. I understand what he was thinking, though, based on protection (the pass rush) should have been picked up. It's something we can work on and learn from." Perhaps the best thing Ramsey did in the game was make a block on Redskins' DE Renaldo Wynn on the Brad Smith reverse for a TD. * Mangini was not pleased with 11 penalties for 70 yards and vowed to clean that up. "The amount of penalties is unacceptable," he said. "That'll continue to be addressed. We're not going to have that many penalties." * It was an odd night on special teams for the Jets, who messed up a pooch punt, saw P Ben Graham kick a 15-yard punt and then an eight-yard punt while on the run looking as if he might be involved in a fake. The Jets, too, tried an onsides kick that failed. Of course, they averaged 67 yards on two kickoff returns, one of which went for a TD. Punt returner Tim Dwight also had a 21-yard return. "We did some good things on special teams and some things we tried on special teams that we'll have to refine a little bit," Mangini said. * The Jets went on a 23-play drive that ate almost 12 minutes of the clock and came away with only a field goal out of it, which annoyed Mangini. "Any time you can get a drive like that is great; it's what you're looking for," he said. "Unfortunately, you need to have 23 plays and a touchdown, 11 minutes and a touchdown. That's how you need to punctuate those drives." * Without Pennington, who was excused from the game to be with his hospitalized father, Elwood, the Jets' three QBs threw 29 passes for only 104 yards, which isn't enough. Bollinger's long was a 15-yard pass; Ramsey's long was a nine-yard pass, and Kellen Clemens' long was a five-yarder. mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 http://www.newsday.com/sports/printedition/ny-spjnotes214860069aug21,0,61074.story?coll=ny-sports-print Brick's best work was a 2-for-1 downfield block BY TOM ROCK Newsday Staff Writer August 21, 2006 When the Jets scored their first touchdown of the preseason, it was a rookie who made the play by using the speed, agility and field sense the team drooled over when it drafted him. No, not Brad Smith. All he did was run the 61 yards for the score on a reverse. The rookie who really popped eyes was D'Brickashaw Ferguson, the starting left tackle. Smith's touchdown was made possible by a slew of blocks. Quarterback Patrick Ramsey ran just enough interference to keep Renaldo Wynn off Smith in the backfield. Center Nick Mangold flipped cornerback Mike Rumph head-over-feet to open the first few yards. Wide receiver Laveranues Coles and guard Pete Kendall double-teamed safety Adam Archuleta into the ground at the 45-yard line. But it was Ferguson's block, 25 yards from the line of scrimmage and on the opposite side of the field from where he lined up, that gave Smith the final daylight he needed. Ferguson rolled over both cornerback Pierson Prioleau and linebacker Lemar Marshall with the grace of a 312-pound ballerina. "It felt good," Ferguson said of taking out the 185-pound Prioleau, knocking him into Marshall like a bowling pin to pick up the spare. "I can't complain." Quite a catch Wide receiver is quickly becoming one of the Jets' deepest positions, thanks mostly to Smith and Reggie Newhouse. Smith showed the athleticism that led the Jets to take him in the fourth round of the draft and convert him from quarterback when he traipsed into the end zone on a 61-yard TD on a reverse. Then in the fourth quarter, Reggie Newhouse made a sweet grab on a 5-yard TD pass from Kellen Clemens, skying for a throw that appeared to be sailing out of the back of the end zone. With Smith and Newhouse pushing veterans such as Coles, Justin McCareins, Tim Dwight and Jerricho Cotchery, there could be some surprises when the team cuts its roster to 65 players on Aug. 30. Jet streams Linebacker Bryan Thomas looked sharp on defense with three tackles and a sack ... The defensive front in the 3-4 system was in constant movement with Dewayne Robertson, Kimo von Oelhoffen and Tui Alailefaleula splitting time in the middle throughout the first half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 http://www.newsday.com/sports/printedition/ny-spjzone214860066aug21,0,1119975.story?coll=ny-sports-print The Red Zone: Quick hits from around training camp Tom Rock August 21, 2006 JETS: KR's worst nightmare Leon Washington flashed his speed when he broke an 87-yard kickoff return for a TD in the second quarter of Saturday's game, but the rookie came within a hair of being run down by Redskins kicker Derrick Frost. Washington was cruising toward the end zone, but Frost came within inches of tackling him. Or at least nudging him out of bounds. "I was like, 'I can't get caught by the kicker!' Your team won't forgive you for that," Washington said. Bottom line: The Jets will have a short week leading up to Friday's Giants game with only three practices and a walk-through scheduled. - Tom Rock NFL: Big Tuna turning 65 Bill Parcells hits retirement age tomorrow. If he takes any time to celebrate, it'll come after he figures out what his team did wrong in a preseason game against the Saints the previous night. A few years ago, even Parcells would have laughed at the idea he'd be studying game video on his 65th birthday. But the Big Tuna came back for one last shot at glory with the Dallas Cowboys. Hardly anyone expected him to fulfill his four-year deal. Yet Parcells has made it to Year 4. And he's signed an extension through 2007. - AP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/115614177971470.xml&coll=1 FIVE ISSUES FACING THE JETS Monday, August 21, 2006 DAVE HUTCHINSON Star-Ledger Staff Who will be the starting running back? The Jets acquired Kevan Barlow from the 49ers yesterday for an undisclosed draft pick. Thus, he is thrown into the mix with veteran Derrick Blaylock, second-year pro Cedric Houston and rookie Leon Washington. Barlow has the best r Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2006/08/kevan-barlow-jets210806.html Acquisition of Barlow doesn't fix Jets' offensive woes After just two preseason games, it became painfully obvious that the New York Jets needed a running back. Veteran Curtis Martin's future is dubious, and aside from him, there were no proven backs on the roster. Last week the team attempted to trade for the former Virginia Tech standout and current Cleveland Browns backup Lee Suggs, but the fourth-year pro failed his physical, nixing the deal. Early on Sunday, the Jets were still prepared to go into the regular season with Derrick Blaylock as their starting running back. Who? Derrick Blaylock, he of 776 yards and 10 career touchdowns in five seasons. The Stephen F. Austin product served as a backup for the Kansas City Chiefs in his first four seasons. Thanks to an injury suffered by Priest Holmes in 2004, Blaylock stepped in and gained 539 yards and tallied eight touchdowns. However, it's safe to say the 5-foot-9, 210-pound back doesn't yet strike fear into opposing defenses. The organization decided to go with a contingency plan and find another back via trade, San Francisco 49ers reserve Kevan Barlow. Before acquiring Barlow for an undisclosed pick in the 2007 draft, what we knew was that the Jets boast a starting quarterback that nobody is sure can throw the ball down the field, is an injury risk and has never had a strong arm. They only have one real receiving threat in Laveranues Coles, and an offensive line that will start two rookies. It's safe to say the team could have trouble putting points on the board even after acquiring the former Niners back. The problem herein was the lack of available talent out there at the running back position. Atlanta Falcons bruising back T.J. Duckett is being dangled out there on the trade market, but isn't a great fit for the team, nor is he an every-down back, which is what the Jets are in dire need of still. The Jets think Barlow can be the every-down back they lack, but since his breakout year in 2003, when he set career-highs with 1,024 rushing yards, a 5.1-yard-per-carry average and six touchdowns. After his career year, the Niners rewarded Barlow by inking him to a five-year contract worth $20 million, with $8 million guaranteed upfront, and released veteran Garrison Hearst. However, he never reached his 2003 levels again and fell out of favor with the coaching staff. Last year saw him total career-lows in yards per carry average (3.3) and touchdowns (three). In the meantime, it still looks like rookies Leon Washington or Brad Smith will need to give the offense a spark on trick plays or special teams in order to put points on the board. Saturday's preseason game against the Washington Redskins showed exactly that. The Jets and Smith used chicanery to score their first points. Early in the second quarter Smith dashed 61 yards off a double reverse for the score. The second Jets touchdown came from Leon Washington's 87-yard kickoff return. The acquisition of Barlow could be what the offense needs, but Jets fans shouldn't count on the career disappointment. Then again, maybe the old clich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/21/sports/football/21jets.html?ex=1156737600&en=05cea24518a25397&ei=5099&partner=TOPIXNEWS Jets Add Barlow to Aid Running Game By KAREN CROUSE Published: August 21, 2006 The latest addition to the Jets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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