Why L.T. is a Great Signing
by Ryan Alfieri on Mar 14, 2010 6:53 PM EDT
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PrintThis latest move is somewhat polarizing amongst Jets fans, the biggest reason being L.T. has slowed down in terms of numbers drastically. Heres why Mike T's latest signing, however, makes more sense than you may think.
1. L.T. and Antonio Cromartie were teammates.
Im kind of suprised how few people made this obvious connection. Having multiple players from the same team (like last years Ravens who became Jets) makes the transition exponentially easier. Its easier to become integrated within the locker room and living a new life on the other side of the country.
2. Injury Concerns between Leon and Greene.
We all know about Leon's injury, and he is supposedly making a full recovery. But we arent even sure if he is going to be a Jet next year. I hope he is, but LT provides insurance as a 3rd down back in this case.
But Greene has never proved himself to be a full-time back over a long perios of ime, even in college. In fact, since he was only a star for 1 year in college, it was a reason the Jets liked him because he had less mileage on his body. But his power running style makes Greene extreamely vulnerable to injuries.
3. LT will fit his role perfectly
Ladanian know his time is short and his production has diminished, or he would still be a charger. But his role wont simply be a 3rd down back or just to spell Greene. I would expect carries (on 1st and 2nd down, assuming leon takes 3rd) to be about 60-40 or 70-30 (Greene having more). And that is only on 1st and 2nd downs.
Yes, I expect the Jets to pass more in 2010. But not more than 25 times a game or so, which, in the NFL, is considered a run-heavy offense.
4. LT is the Perfect Mentor....
...besides TJ. But that ship has sailed. So why not bring in a future HOF player to help Greene in his first season as a starter. Having Tomlinson gives that backfield more stability. Who doesn't want to be in the backfield tandem with LT? Besides, if leon leaves, I would expect the Jets to draft a back. Its not like just RBs can learn from a player with the resume of LT. He can show the whole team how he got to become the player he was.
5. Pass Protection
We all watched Leon try to block defensive lineman. It doesnt work. It takes a few years for a back to become adept at doing it on a regular basis, so Greene can't learn it right away. Having LT protect allows Greene to get off the field for rest, too.
6. PSL's
Sad but true.
As you can see, this signing isn't all about LT rushing the ball. Tomlinson is more than just a back. Usually, when a team is on the brink of a championship, all it takes is some veteran leadership to get them over the edge (Sharper, Strahan coming back, Bettis, etc.) Now, go find a piece of wood, and knock on it.
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Good stuff. Rec'd.
Im not a big fan of the signing but all your points are spot on.
I think number 5 is a very good point.
This also opens up opportunities, if Leon is still here, to line up in the shotgun with Leon and LT back there. It can be a screen to either side, a draw to either player, you can motion either out as a wide receiver, and very good point about LT blocking on passing downs and getting Greene some rest.
I almost feel like LT to the Jets is what Tracy McGrady could be to the Knicks if they bring in Mister James next year. We know he was an all-world talent, we know he isn’t at that level now, but in a limited role, I think the skills they have left, combined with good talent surrounding them, the experience and intelligence they have, they can contribute to a winning team in a good situation.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
PSL?
2009 NY Phin PhansFantasy League Champion
2009 Best Regular Season Record in NYPPL.
2010 The Jim Mandich NewsFlash Award Winner.
Personal Seat License
basically they trying to sell the rights to season tickets to pay for the new stadium, and since the prices are rediculous, noone buys them. So theyre trying everything to get attention. In fact, the Mark Sanchez deal had a lot to do with selling PSLs.
by Ryan Alfieri on Mar 14, 2010 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
RE: Why L.T. is a Great Signing
Why was signing LT better than keeping Jones? All the things you state are true, but hell , we already had Jones. Jones was known, a leader, coming off a great year. He tired at the end but with Greene sharing the carries he wold have had more rest through the season. That’s if Greene can stay healthy.
But Jones was unhappy about his contract and role, and is not close to the receiver LDT is.
LDT adds a lot more options to the playbook than TJ does. I know we have a short memory because TJ was on his best behavior here, and was the #1 back, but he was a huge distraction in Chicago when they were trying to replace him with Benson at #1. LDT will know the deal and his role coming in, and while he’s 3 years older lets remember how much he excelled under our current offense when SD ran it in his prime.
Re: #2...
The giant invisible elephant in the room that I just don’t see anybody touching is, we are talking about a guy in LT that has not stayed healthy an entire season for the past 3-4 years. On the injury risk front, he’s a major downgrade from TJ. Only reason to like this deal for me is for his pass catching ability.
hes been the lead back for the past decade, and hes han’t had any major issues. yeah, hes missed a few games here and there, but if he steps into a smaller role, a lot of those injury concerns go away. But I will agree, he is not nearly as free of injury as “my-neck-is-half-the-size-of-my-torso” Jones, although TJ did have a bum knee that limited his productivity later in the season.
by Ryan Alfieri on Mar 15, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
People need to stop hating!
I think this is one of the best offensive moves that we have made in a while in the free agent market. TJ was a great player for us but I’m a huge fan and I can say that he slowed down big at the end of the year. Greene is a Beast and I can’t wait to watch his punishing style this year, but he runs hard and there is a risk of injury. Leon I hope that we can keep him, I think that LT has had two poor years as a result of injury and a mediocre offensive line, put him behind our line and Richardson and watch the magic happen. I also think that just his presence on passing downs requires the opposing safety’s to keep an eye out and that means that we can have one on one down the field.
by David Leininger on Mar 16, 2010 6:32 PM EDT reply actions
that was like 2 or 3 years ago. ancient history. in his exit press conference leaving san diego, he specifically mentioned teching youger guys and mentoring. he even joked about shonn’s td clebration in the san diego game. he said he does not expect to just come in and start and they have won without him. he said he knows he has to earn his own respect. this guys is a class act.
by Ryan Alfieri on Mar 18, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
dude !! he sat out a PLAYOFF GAME.. i ve seen classier..
that is a character flaw.. i do agree about him saying all the rite things..but a leopard never losses his spots…other wise a good fit.. deff. good in the redzone.
Sitting out a playoff game
and having class are connected where? You make it sound like he sat out because he had more fun things to do that day.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
no your correct, he just felt like pouting.. all the great mentors do that....
it would be funny if in 2 years greene said ,he, i think ill sit out a playoff game to get paid,that ill teach em…if your looking for a mentor i think leon is your guy..
When did I say anything about a mentor?
LT is better then Leon, plain and simple.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
well mentoring would have been the 1 and only point i disagreed on in this article.
so………………..and u are hittin the pipe, hard!! if you think that" the other LT"is better at this point in his career then leon…. GMs of the world ,,i have THIS OLD SHELL OF A PLAYER for 2 mill. a year .or leon washington for 2 mill a year……………….i really wonder who they will pick….oh my god!! the suspense is killing me..!!!!!
We're not talking about GM's of the world.
We are talking about who is a better fit for the Jets right now. LT is a better blocker, a better receiver, and a better runner. Leon is better in space.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
Completely disagree
1. Tomlinson and Cromartie were teammates – so what? Neither one was all that great in San Diego last year, and they play on opposite sides of the ball, so it’s not like they reinforce each other’s play.
2. Injury concerns between Leon and Shonn – this argues in favor of a running back, or of keeping TJ, not in any way for Tomlinson himself.
3. Tomlinson will fit his role perfectly – once again, so could many other guys. Anybody from Mike Bell to Ahman Green to Willis McGahee could have done the same.
4. Tomlinson is the perfect mentor – I don’t think Shonn needs one, he proved that in the playoffs. And if you think he does, why not take Tomlinson as an assistant RB coach or something, and get someone with less used-up legs?
5. Pass protection – is Tomlinson that much better at pass protection than anyone else? I think Tony does a pretty good job here.
6. Personal Seat Licenses – um, who cares? Might as well sign Ronaldo for jersey sales.
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