Should LaDainian Tomlinson Take Joe McKnight's Touches When Healthy?

by John B on Nov 28, 2011 3:18 PM EST

Let me open up a question for debate. LaDainian Tomlinson is healing up. He will be healthy enough to play soon. Should he get the reps as a change of pace from Shonn Greene, though?

Joe McKnight has gotten a look on offense with Tomlinson out of the lineup and has looked more explosive than LT. He has 161 yards from scrimmage on 29 offensive touches the last two weeks. Tomlinson still has the look of an elusive back when rested, but McKnight has a second gear that LT has lost.

The biggest reason I personally think McKnight should get touches at Tomlinson's expense is what I saw on the final drive. On that critical catch by Plaxico Burress when Buffalo blitzed, McKnight had an excellent pickup. Right now the biggest rationale behind playing Tomlinson would probably be his pass blocking skills. I would like to see McKnight given more of a chance to develop, which will only happen with more playing time. In a short span, he has already improved.

I think this might be a case where it is a question of performance against experience. I want McKnight to see the touches. Do you agree?

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I agree with one caveat

If McKnight will be seeing more time on offense, then I want Jim Leonhard exclusively on Punt Returns and McKnight still does Kick returns. The revolving door back there on returns is hurting the team.

by CervezaVerde on Nov 28, 2011 3:24 PM EST reply actions

mcKnight looks alot like LT out there

not SD tomlinson, Who was the GOAT, but the LT that we have come to know….so i wouldn’t be mad if he did take LT’s touches but I expect lt to catch out of the backfield and Joe to play more WR.

by SLAUGHTERHOUSE on Nov 28, 2011 3:25 PM EST reply actions

I just hope he protects the ball.

But I do think he needs to see the field.

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by dvdvil on Nov 28, 2011 3:37 PM EST reply actions

Fully agree

LT has completely lost his speed. That doesn’t mean he still can’t be effective though. As John stated, LT is a reliable pass blocker. If McKnight can pick up on blitzes and protect Mark when he’s not carrying the ball, he deserves to see the field. No other better way than for him to learn and grow as a player.

by dulciusXasperis on Nov 28, 2011 3:48 PM EST reply actions

I think that LT is still much better then Joe

I also believe that this little break will help LT’s legs… Don’t get me wrong McKnight looks good but LT is a much better receiver out of the back field.

by Vegas Jets Fan on Nov 28, 2011 3:58 PM EST reply actions

McKnight definetly needs more touches

But LT still has a place in the offense, Joe still hasen’t shown he can hold onto to the ball. I think Tomlinson is still the better reciever, he can still run good routes on underneath stuff., also effective in short yardage situations/

Oh yes that's right, I'm a Jets fan.

by Bob_The_Friendly_Baker on Nov 28, 2011 4:01 PM EST reply actions

Love LT...But..

As you can see in my ID, I am a big fan of LT (even when he was with SD). I was in heaven when he came to the JETS. Loved last year.
But, I can’t see him coming back next year. Let the man have a few more this year. And pave the way for McKnight. The new LT, or should I say JM.

by jetstrong21 on Nov 28, 2011 4:02 PM EST reply actions

mcknight can be tackled one armed by my 75 year old grandmom geesh can he break a tackle he also gotta do a better job with his vision LT would have gotten 30 yards on 1 of those screens

by KEM PA SOTE on Nov 28, 2011 4:14 PM EST reply actions

Both are ok for a RB but LT Is a better blocker and a better receiver which helps out the Jets a lot more than the little bit of speed Mcknight has over LT.

by DJ. Quillz on Nov 28, 2011 4:18 PM EST reply actions

L.T is still better, but joe is younger and a bigger threat.

if our OC was smart i’d do have both of them in one package, with Mcknight lined up as a reciever and Tomlinson next to mark, vice versa. Mcknight is a homerun threat, but L.T’s presence is missed. Both should defintitely split touches in the pass game and run.

by jets4life24 on Nov 28, 2011 4:39 PM EST reply actions

Joe is someone we are investing in. LDT, while better, is on his way out.

I’d be surprised if we keep seeing LDT once the playoffs are completely out of reach in a week or two.

by Timmaht on Nov 28, 2011 4:41 PM EST reply actions

www.GangGreenNation.com

by bobdolethesnapplelady on Nov 28, 2011 5:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Hah, officially I would love to see this scenario:

1) Schotty become a competant OC and play to the teams strengths. 2) Sanchez starts putting up Pro Bowl stats while our running game dominates teams. 3) Jets make the playoffs at 11-5 and win the division,. 4) Cruise through the playoffs destroying the Pats in the DIvisional Round, the Steelers in the AFC Championship winning the Super Bowl, embarrassing their NFC opponent the Giants. 5) Go undefeated, winning every Super Bowl until I pass away at the age of 150.

by Timmaht on Nov 28, 2011 8:36 PM EST up reply actions

I'd sign up for that lol.

We can certainly do it, Schotty has his moments where he calls a great play, and then there are the schotty moments. He had some great calls on those reverse plays, and had a great fake flip to greene to convert a 3rd down.

by jets4life24 on Nov 28, 2011 10:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I think those two Schotty types of plays fall into his "gameplan"

He mixes it up way too much to the point that he is predictably unpredictable. The scheme it’s self would be tough to gameplan for if it was unpredictable and played to our players strengths. Hence, the crappy Schotty plays frequently look like the players’ faults and the good ones look like genious plays.

Looking at that reverse call, we’ve run that play a dozen times maybe, and never actually used Holmes. Those times it didn’t work all season, the play was setting up these plays in this game. Taking 10 games to set up 1 play is one of the many reasons Schotty has these problems.

by Timmaht on Nov 29, 2011 12:03 PM EST up reply actions

L.T can still make the cuts

I say start out with L.T as the second option behind green..if he’s having a good game keep him in, if hes not give some reps to joe…but if the jets are down in a game and they need Sanchez to throw i’d much rather have L.T in for pass blocking and also helping out in the relieving game. Joe has looked like a receiving threat of late but id rather have the veteran in there picking up the blitzes, not to mention i still don’t trust McKnights hands when it comes to holding on to the football..I guarantee he has at least one more fumble lost this season but it’s not as bad as when he was a rookie

by thatgreen on Nov 28, 2011 4:47 PM EST reply actions

Yes. Give him all of Tomlinson's touches.

He’s the better, more explosive player.

by Crackback on Nov 28, 2011 5:18 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Tomlinson is still a better receiver and better blocker. I’d go it with a situational approach, but goodness knows the Jets won’t.

by SioneBAAOOOHA on Nov 28, 2011 6:09 PM EST reply actions

Of the belief that as long as we are in win or die mode...

3rd down should go to LT. He blocks better, (Lord knows Sanchez needs as much protection as possible), and though I think McKnight actually may be as good if not better as a receiver, (especially on longer routes), Sanchez an LT have a better connection. Sanchez seems to use LT as his security blanket and at this point I’ll take who Sanchez is most comfortable with. Give McKnight the rushes when SG is winded or resting his ribs.

by george JETson on Nov 28, 2011 7:28 PM EST reply actions

If only we passed primarily on 3rd down.

I don’t think it’s gonna be situational, but all or nothing.

by Timmaht on Nov 28, 2011 8:37 PM EST up reply actions

This offense sucks

There is no attempts to use its strengths. If McKnight gets that same pitch SG got a good gain off of he might had took it to the house. All screens were also given to SG. If you not gonna use someone right why use him.

by BIG OH!!!!! on Nov 28, 2011 9:41 PM EST reply actions

Here is my take on it.

Right now, Mcknight is taking all of his advantages that he can get. When LT is healthy the two of them should split reps, in similar situations, and roles if Mcknight can pick up pass protection then I say he should be the 2nd back, and LT should be in a relief for both of them. Or as a pseudo primary back if Greene needs to recover from ribs.

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by Noble_Lance on Nov 28, 2011 10:10 PM EST reply actions

LDT's ability to protect Mark has to be weighed heavily here.

At this point Joe is playing better so I lean towards him. Situationally LDT is the better fit against blitzing teams on passing downs.
Ehhh I’d go with Joe with a gun to my head but I would reevaluate if we somehow make the playoffs.

by Can'tWait on Nov 29, 2011 9:07 AM EST reply actions

On second thought,

Give Greens snaps to LDT and limits Greenes role. I’m still not seeing enough plays that Greene makes that the other two can’t and I’m completely over the “change of pace” thing.
He’s hurt.
He’s not “wearing down defenses”.
I’m tired of seeing that fake FB pitch thing wasted on him. (could you imgaine what Joe would do with that play?)
Why does this team need a change of pace back?

by Can'tWait on Nov 29, 2011 9:20 AM EST up reply actions

keep using LT

joe’s numbers have suffered on KR since LT got hurt . keep with LT until we can’t reach the playoffs then give joe more of LT’s reps .
i just feel mcknight is still more valuable to this team on KR and this should be his main focus.
greene should be getting more plays so we can really evaluate him for next year , we need to see if he can carry this teams run gave or if we need to replace him next season

if its for you it won't pass you

by tinley24 on Nov 29, 2011 10:45 AM EST reply actions

LT deserves the touches

I’m all for developing young guys – I loved moving Kerley into the starting line-up over Mason. However, LT is an excellent locker room guy and is a great security blanket for Sanchez. Obviously, he’s great in pass protection but he’s also great at slipping off the block to give Sanchez an outlet. He has a feel for the game that only comes with experience. I agree that McKnight has an extra gear that LT no longer has but I think LT has earned the right to the touches. He’s been extremely unselfish and a great locker room presence. He also has better ball security. If anything, for the next week or so I’d suggest to having LT fill Greene’s role and McKnight fill LT’s role. Greene looked like he’s pretty banged up. I wouldn’t mind seeing Greene get some rest and get himself healthy.

by bloglikeajet on Nov 29, 2011 10:48 AM EST reply actions

give it to LT

Lets use all of our rbs not named bilal powell..were gonna need all of them to play if we want to get to the playoffs but i say give the vet LT the carries over mcknight…he is proven..he will hold on to the ball ..he is great at pass protection and sanchez loves to check down and dump it off to him when hes in trouble cuz hes sure handed.

jets 4 life

by NYJetsinceBruceCoslett on Nov 30, 2011 3:14 AM EST reply actions