Never spend money on a free agent runningback. Use your resources to improve the offensive line, and sign a low-cost journeyman runningback. A Willis McGahee-type would be ideal.
We have drafted RB's in each of the last 3 years, I'd really hate for us to waste a draft pick or FA transaction on another one.
Agreed. Get an RT/RG plus Rob Turner back and the combo of Greene/McKnight/Powell should be fine. Our running game has regressed this year because A) the OL hasn't been as good and B) we have been pass-happy.
Generally RB's are only good investments for their 1st contract. While I sympathize with Forte and hope he gets paid I would rather draft a RB each year in rounds 3-5 who will work for cheap for 3-4 years. I would normally be against drafting a RB with a 1st round pick as their shelf life is so short, But given the type of offense we run and the severe limitations Sackchez places on the offense I would not be against drafting A RB in the 1st round if he was a game changer. But a better option would simply be to cut Sackchez and instantly every aspect of the offense from RB to OL becomes better.
I think we have other glaring needs, Greene is ok but he's not elite by any means. We pretty much did nothing with Powell this season and with LT likely gone McKnight will get more looks. We may sign one in FA but not some big name. More likely a guy who has been in the league and would be on his last contract. I don't think the issue is RB, I think the lack of an OL that is above average is the issue.
Our running game was dominant in 09 and 10. This year it regressed because A) the OL hasn't been as good B) we've been pass-happy. Our current backs are fine. Could they be better? Sure, but address other spots long before the RB corps........ Like the OL.
Cut Greene let LT go and sign free agent Marshawn Lynch next year,let Buress walk,make a run at D'Sean Jackson or Bowe if not then try n bring back Braylon Edwards to a Two year deal, try and bring back Cotchery for 1 year if hes willing,let Bryan Thomas walk,Sign Robert Mathis,cut Smith let Leonhard walk bring back Lowery and sign Devon Branch,cut Hunter and sing Vernon Carey or Kareem Mackinze, boom problems solved i should be GM (although i don't even know what our cap would be)and get rid of Bart Scott hes to slow draft a new MLB
I hear Marshawn Lynch is UFA after this season. (From Seattle newspaper, of all sources.) I think he will be better than Matt Forte.
Marshawn would be perfect with this OL. That would be a good 2 headed attack with Marshawn/Greene but I think the seahawks will resign him since his production has been really good for them.
I would be firmly against the signing of a Forte/Lynch/established RB. Those contracts are never good value. Like somebody else said, RBs are only good for their first contract, unless they are Curtis motherfuckin Martin. And before I get flamed: I realize Marshawn Lynch puts da team on his back do.
Marshawn Lynch is a tough runner with an attitude which is something I love in RB's (E. CAMPBELL, M. BARBER III) but they have short lived careers.
I don't think Marshawn would command too much though hes no Michael turner or anything like that, if we can get that work horse for a reasonable amount I'd say go for it. If not though Shonn Greene has been beasting the last few weeks.
Lynch is a fuckin beast. Make no mistake, so is Forte. I just hate the idea of getting stuck with a huge contract at the end of the guy's career. Once you consider how dependent RBs are on their OL to be effective, it makes much more sense to invest in the OL imo. Couple that with the OLs importance in pass protect, and it's obvious where the money should go.
Agreed, the good thing is Marshawn is only like 25 yrs old so like a 3 year deal at most for him if we do sign em. But OL should be the first priority this off season.
Tell you what, if we can sign Marshawn Lynch for 3 years at a reasonable rate, I'm all for it. I don't think that's possible. His agent will dink it out and some team will give him 5 years/$30 million.
Lynch is 26 - meaning he will have at least very productive 4 years from now on. What else do you want? After that, he is done - he is gone as well.
Jets will need a #2 RB with Greene next year. LT will be gone. Can McKnight or Powell do the job? I haven't seen enough out of either one as an RB, but you never know. McKnight at least has a chance as a change of pace guy. The bottom line is: improve the offensive line, and the runningbacks look better. Thomas Jones has always been a product of the offensive line. He's a solid, professional running back, but if the OL is bad, he won't produce. If the OL is good, he'll be a workhorse, like he was for the Jets. Give our backs an upgraded OL, and all of a sudden they will be a lot more successful.
