New York Jets 2015 Training Camp: Grading RB situation

After a tremendous offseason overhaul led by new general manager Mike Maccagnan, the New York Jets now have one of the best backfields in the league. In the spring of 2014, Gang Green signed All-Pro running back Chris Johnson on a 2-year deal worth $8 million. He did finish the season with 663 yards on 4.3 yards per carry, but he scored just one rushing touchdown on the year. As a result, New York went on to decline the second-year option on his deal and send him into free agency in March.

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To follow up that move, Maccagnan re-signed Bilal Powell on a 1-year deal worth $2 million while adding Stevan Ridley in April and Zac Stacy on the third day of the draft. The Jets gave Ridley a 1-year deal worth $1.25 million and they only had to cough up a 7th-round pick for Stacy.

Of course, Chris Ivory is returning for his 3rd season in New York in the last year of the 4-year contract the Saints issued him. The veteran will be looking to prove himself this season in order to cash out when the 2016 free agency period hits. Daryl Richardson is the only other running back that remains on the roster given the fact that Tommy Bohanon and J.C. Copeland are fullbacks, but he won’t be the guy leading the way in 2015.

Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) rushes against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Ivory is without a doubt the No. 1 guy in the backfield, and he has showed he can handle the bulk of the carries these past two years. In 2013, he racked up 833 yards on an average 4.6 yards per clip. He only scored 3 touchdowns on the year, but he fumbled the ball just twice and neither of them resulted in turnovers. Last season, he had 820 yards with 6 touchdowns to lead the team and receive Pro Bowl consideration. He fumbled the ball only two times for the second year in a row, but the Minnesota Vikings recovered one of them in the Week 14 overtime loss.

According to ProFootballFocus.com, in 2013, Ivory ranked 27th out of 55 running backs in the rushing efficiency department who received at least 25% of snaps. Last season, he ranked 10th out of 57 backs in that same category. What gives Ivory such a low overall ranking on ProFootballFocus is his inability to catch the ball out of the backfield. That may be a reason he sees the field less under new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, but on 1st and 2nd down, the Jets would be foolish not have him out there.

Oct 27, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated New York 49-9. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

As crazy as it sounds, Powell can actually be looked at as a guy who is on the roster bubble. In 2014, he had just 141 yards and one touchdown. He was playing behind Ivory and Johnson, but a veteran as talented as him should be playing more. Powell had nearly 700 yards in 2013, and he has never lost a fumble in his entire career.

What plays to his advantage is his versatility and the fact that he’s arguably the best blocking back on the team. We’ve seen him catch passes in the flat to pick up first downs as well as run the ball up the middle for chunks of yards throughout his 4-year career. Even at 200 lbs., he runs hard, hangs onto the ball, and makes himself an option as a receiver at times. It will be tough for the Jets to cut a guy like Powell when September comes around.

The two new faces in Gang Green’s backfield are completely different when it comes to their style of running. Ridley is very comparable to Ivory in the sense that they predominately run between the tackles. Stacy does most of his damage kicking it outside and bouncing off of tacklers, but he can run the ball up the gut when need be. A guy who many people compare him to is Ray Rice. He’s a short and stocky back, but he’s quick enough to hurt defenses off-tackle as well as inside.

Oct 12, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley (22) punches the ground after being injured during the 2nd half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Patriots beat the Bills 37-22. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

What doesn’t help Ridley’s cause from a camp casualty standpoint is the fact that he is one-dimensional. Not to mention, he is coming off of a torn ACL which he suffered in Week 6 of last season. He’s truly the definition of a north and south runner, meaning you’ll rarely see him run the ball outside or catch passes. However, he is making less money than Powell, so he may be the guy to keep if Maccagnan is looking to save money. Stacy should be a safe bet to make the roster because of his shiftiness and upside that was on display in 2013, but Ridley is just too comparable to Ivory. Even though both backs are coming off of 2014 campaigns to forget, they provide the Jets with depth and talent that they most certainly needed.

With four other solid backs on the team, it will be another uphill battle for Richardson to make the final 53-man roster. Ever since he was waived by the Rams, the Jets have kept him stashed on the practice squad. The former 7th-rounder has not played a snap since 2013, and it looks like that will remain the case.

Aug 4, 2014; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets running back Daryl Richardson (35) walks to the locker room following training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Gang Green’s backfield is one of the deepest in the league, so there really is no room for Richardson when everyone is healthy. The only true shot he has at making the roster is if Ridley begins the season on the PUP list and Powell gets cut. Nonetheless, Richardson belongs in the NFL and having him on the roster for a few weeks is no big deal. Other than that, expect to see him on New York’s practice squad in 2015.

Overall, Maccagnan needed just one offseason to make this unit a strength. If Gailey can utilize these guys the right way, the Jets’ backfield can without question live up to the hype it’s received thus far.

Grade: A-

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