New Jets Spotlight, RB Jonathan Grimes

August 30, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Jonathan Grimes (43) warms up before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

This afternoon, we are going to take a look at the newest Jet. He was brought in here to help revive a running attack that has struggled so far in 2012. He was on the practice squad of the Houston Texans before being signed to the Jets’ active roster this week. He performed well in the preseason, and the Jets will be looking for him to help in the upcoming weeks. Spotlight on RB Jonathan Grimes.

Jonathan Grimes measures in at 5’10”, 207 pounds. He’s quick, as he ran a 4.53 40 yard dash at his pro day (wasn’t invited to the combine). Grimes was signed by the Texans as an undrafted free agent out of William and Mary this offseason. He is coming home, as he was born in Wilingboro, NJ.

At William and Mary, Jonathan ran the ball 936 times for 4,541 yards and 334 TDs. He was a talented receiver out of the backfield as well, with 136 catches for 1,125 yards and 7 TDs. His best year came as a senior, when he led the nation in all-purpose yards per game with 228.18. He ran the ball for 1,431 yards and 10 TDs, adding 23 receptions for 262 yards and 4 TDs. He also ran back kickoffs 37 times for 817 yards.

In the preseason for the Texans, he ran the ball 28 times for 130 yards, a 4.6 yards per carry average.

Here are a couple of clips to take a look at:

PROS: The first thing I see when watching this guy is his burst through the hole.  Anyone that has watched Shonn Greene so far this season has noticed that Shonn is hitting the holes very slowly.  Grimes is exactly the opposite.  He takes the ball and he takes it North and South, right through the hole.  No dancing, just hole hitting.  Second is his clear, breakaway speed.  This guy doesn’t seem to get caught from behind.  Terrific straight line speed.  He has great balance too.  See how he kept his feet on one of those runs?  Excellent.

CONS: He didn’t face great competition in college.  It’s unfortunate to say, but you have to be sure with guys from these smaller schools, that they are NFL ready.  Like it or not, they just don’t play the same competition that guys at big schools do.  Granted, great football players have come from small schools (i.e. Jerry Rice), but still, be sure.  Another aspect is his running style.  He is fast enough to make people miss, but he isn’t elusive.  He isn’t going to juke around guys, his instinct is to go through guys, a la Shonn Greene.  That will give fans pause as they watch him, although if it’s 8 yards down the field, I think they will be OK>

Overall, I believe that this young player can help the Jets.  The Jets need to get the running game going, or they won’t be a winning team, with or without Darrelle Revis.  This guy can help.