Jump to content

LT content to be "best 3rd down RB" in football... [merged]


slats

Recommended Posts

Tomlinson content to be third down back; Joe McKnight “pissed and motivated” at Jets draft pick

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on May 3, 2011, 5:34 PM EDT

j-mcknightdejected.jpg?w=138

Getty Images

The roles are changing in the Jets’ crowded backfield.

Rex Ryan has talked about Shonn Greene handling more of the workload, and that sounds just fine to LaDainian Tomlinson. He said Tuesday that he’s already been the best running back in the league before.

“Now at end of my career, I’d love to be best third down back,” Tomlinson toldthe three-pack of Jets writers that made the trip West — Manish Mehta, Jenny Vrentas, and Rich Cimini.

Tomlinson wasn’t worried the team added fourth-round pick Bilal Powell to the mix, saying you can’t have too many running backs. Second year back Joe McKnight had a slightly different response.

“I was pissed and motivated at the same time,” McKnight said.

We’re not sure exactly how this will all work. The Jets want McKnight to get the ball more, which would come at the expense of Tomlinson. In Powell, the team now has a younger doppelganger for Greene if he gets hurt.

Consider it a good problem to have a sign the Jets won’t stray too far from their run-heavy ways. Especially since they have no one to play receiver at the moment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tomlinson content to be third down back; Joe McKnight “pissed and motivated” at Jets draft pick

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on May 3, 2011, 5:34 PM EDT

j-mcknightdejected.jpg?w=138

Getty Images

The roles are changing in the Jets’ crowded backfield.

Rex Ryan has talked about Shonn Greene handling more of the workload, and that sounds just fine to LaDainian Tomlinson. He said Tuesday that he’s already been the best running back in the league before.

“Now at end of my career, I’d love to be best third down back,” Tomlinson toldthe three-pack of Jets writers that made the trip West — Manish Mehta, Jenny Vrentas, and Rich Cimini.

Tomlinson wasn’t worried the team added fourth-round pick Bilal Powell to the mix, saying you can’t have too many running backs. Second year back Joe McKnight had a slightly different response.

“I was pissed and motivated at the same time,” McKnight said.

We’re not sure exactly how this will all work. The Jets want McKnight to get the ball more, which would come at the expense of Tomlinson. In Powell, the team now has a younger doppelganger for Greene if he gets hurt.

Consider it a good problem to have a sign the Jets won’t stray too far from their run-heavy ways. Especially since they have no one to play receiver at the moment.

McKnight was so motivated by the Jets drafting Powell that he actually rolled out of the hammock and moved the clothes that he was hanging off of his treadmill all winter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

LaDainian Tomlinson says from Jets West Camp he would love to be NFL's 'best third-down back'

BY Manish Mehta

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Wednesday, May 4th 2011, 4:00 AM

Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson hopes to move aside as Gang Green's feature back and stay fresh to excel as a third-down specialist in Brian Schottenheimer's offense next season.

Ron Antonelli/News

Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson hopes to move aside as Gang Green's feature back and stay fresh to excel as a third-down specialist in Brian Schottenheimer's offense next season.

Related News

*

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. - LaDainian Tomlinson has one more personal goal he'd like to fulfill in the twilight of his Hall of Fame career. After leading the Jets in rushing last season, Tomlinson is ready to pass the torch and transition into a role in which he believes he'll be more valuable for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

"I would love be the best third-down back in the league," Tomlinson said at the Jets West Camp Tuesday. "I've been the best running back in the league before. Now, at the end of my career, I would love to be the best third-down back."

"I would really love to be able to come out of the backfield and run routes," he said. "I don't want to carry the ball as much as I did last year. Hopefully that role goes to Shonn Greene and some of these young guys. So I could really create matchup problems out of the backfield."

The Daily News reported last weekend that Tomlinson, who will be 32 by the start of the season, will return for 2011 despite a crowded backfield that includes Greene, Joe McKnight and fourth-round pick Bilal Powell of Louisville.

"I've always said that once I get to the end of my career, I don't need many carries," Tomlinson said. "I don't want that. I don't want to beat myself up when I don't have to. Shonn Greene is ready to take on that kind of role. So I don't have to do that. Now I can come out of the backfield. That's what I want to do."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last year, we gave LT way too high of a workload early in the year, and it was obvious later in the season when he was worn out. Green is built to take the bulk of carries and he should. I just wish he was featured every down of that infamous 1st and 2 yard line blunder in the Pittsburgh game.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the pick with Powell is similar to the Pats picking Mallet; they both were so high on our draft board that the value was too good to pass up. It's not an indictment on any of our players, but more an adding strength to our strength.

That makes too much sense. You sure it wasn't because McKnight threw up in camp last year?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"I've always said that once I get to the end of my career, I don't need many carries," Tomlinson said. "I don't want that. I don't want to beat myself up when I don't have to. Shonn Greene is ready to take on that kind of role. So I don't have to do that. Now I can come out of the backfield. That's what I want to do."

Now he sounds like he's got one foot in retirement.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Brian Schottenheimer's retort: "I still think LaDanian Tomlinson is the best 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th down RB in the National Football League."

Haha, now there's a guy who has credibility and knows how to utilize his talent! :blink:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...