New York Jets Potential Free Agent: Cedric Peerman

Nov 25, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Peerman (30) runs the ball to during the second half against the Oakland Raiders at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Raiders 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

We are just one week away from the start of the free agency period. As such, it’s time to start looking closer at the list, and see what types of players our team might be looking to add for the 2013 season. Big moves have been made this time of year, like the signing of Bart Scott and LaRon Landry. It can get quite exciting when free agency opens.

However, with our Jets, we know that the wiggle room under the salary cap isn’t great. Yes, the $3 million increase in the salary cap will give the Jets a little bit more room, but not much. The facts are the facts, that the Jets won’t be able to go after the high priced free agent. They will have to pay more attention to “value” free agents, that won’t necessarily cost a lot, but could get the Jets a lot of “bang for their buck”. And I think I have just the guy.

His name is Cedric Peerman, and he plays running back for the Cincinnati Bengals. Well, he DID, he is an unrestricted free agent now, that the Jets should look into. Let’s take a look at this guy.

When looking at a guy like this, pay no attention to the fact that he had only 98 snaps and 36 carries in 2012. His situation is Cincinnati was never going to let him perform more than that. Barring an injury, the law firm (BenJarvus Green-Ellis) is going to get the bulk of the carries. Instead, look at Peerman’s production when he had his chance.

In 2012, he carried the ball 36 times for 258 yards and 1 TD, rushing for an average of 7.2 yards per carry. Sometimes, an average like that can come from one run, so I want to bring you his 2012 game logs so you can see that he actually was pretty consistent when he had the chance. Take a look:

You see?  Take out a couple of games, and you have a guy that was very consistent when he had the chance to play.

Aug 30, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Peerman (30) runs the ball during the game against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Now we look at some of the in-depth stats, courtesy of our friends at Pro Football Focus.

As we have talked about many times before, PFF has worked hard to come up with some very unique stats that show the value of a player, no matter how much, or how little, they are used.  At the running back position, it has been no different.

The West Coast offense requires a back that can make people miss, and get yards after contact.  PFF quantifies this with a stat called “Elusive Rating”.  Let’s compare Peerman and the incumbent, Shonn Greene:

Greene: 11.7

Peerman: 70.8

PFF also brings us a running back’s yards after contact per attempt.  Peerman dominates here as well, with Greene averaging 2.15 yards per carry, and Peerman averaging 3.38 yards per carry.  It’s obviously not close.

PFF took a running back’s total runs, with their runs of 15+ yards to come up with a “Breakaway Percentage”:

Greene: 13.4%

Peerman: 27%

Cedric Peerman didn’t drop a pass all season as well.  Yes, he only had nine thrown at him, but we talked about why his playing time would never grow.  In a West Coast offense, you need a back that is reliable when you throw him the football.  Never dropping a pass would definitely give someone to classification of “reliable”, don’t you think?

Peerman is young, only 26 years old.  He definitely has a lot left in the tank.  With the lack of mileage on him, he shouldn’t command the big contract that other, better known names will command.  His economic demands should fit right into the Jets budget.

For anyone that might be worried that he can’t handle a bigger load, take a look at his college stats:

He can get the job done, and would be just what the doctored ordered for our beloved New York Jets.  Hopefully John Idzik is reading this and will make the call.