LeVeon Bell

New York Jets: Why Benching Le’Veon Bell is a Bad Decision

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New York Jets

Le’Veon Bell may arguably be the most hyped-up acquisition by the New York Jets in recent memory. So, it’s natural to want to make sure he produces for this team for the foreseeable future. However, not playing Bell in the preseason will harm than good and ultimately could come back to haunt the Jets.

Backstory

Sean McVay is labeled a visionary and a forward thinker. He does outside the box things and sees success. Last preseason he protected the Rams investment in Todd Gurley by not letting him step on the field during the preseason. He no doubt came out of the gates like a monster for the Rams and put up another big year. He was and still is a top 5 RB in all of football. However, when it mattered the most Gurley was injured and not the same player in the playoffs. He hindered the team with his injuries and with a healthy Todd Gurley the team could have had a much better shot at a ring. Ultimately, Gurley was diagnosed with arthritis and has long term issues that could hinder his career for the long haul.

Benching Bell May Not End Well

So, how does this relate to the New York Jets you may ask? Benching Bell is not the answer. He’s proven he is physically capable and mentally capable of getting hit and carrying the rock. The powers that be are worried about their investment and have every reason to want to protect him. However, not letting him see the field until week 1 is a bad decision. He needs to at the very least get a few carries to knock the rust off.

Knock The Rust Off

Throwing him to the wolves or actually the Bills in week 1 is a dangerous decision and he could come back slower out of the gate and rusty. The Bills know that and they will be ready for him. In the long haul, not giving Bell reps could hurt his legs more than help them especially if sitting him out is prepping him for a high volume this year. On a personal note, I’d just love to see how Bell is gonna take the pressure off Sam Darnold before the season starts. Maybe I’m crazy but ultimately I feel not playing g Le’Veon is a bad decision.

New York Jets: Don’t sleep on new addition Ty Montgomery

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New York Jets acquire Ty Montgomery.

Ty Montgomery was signed by the New York Jets after the addition of Le’Veon Bell. It was overlooked to a degree and some were even negative about it following his incident in Green Bay. The fact is, one play doesn’t define a player, but what defines Ty Montgomery is versatility.

When Montgomery was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 3rd Round of the 2015 Draft he was a wide receiver. His first year in the league he got some action seeing 19 targets and totaling up 136 yds and two scores. Then with the Packers needing a running back, Montgomery became the guy to fill the void.

Montgomery totaled up 457 rushing yards, 348 receiving yards and three total scores in his first season being a Swiss Army knife. Then he followed up his sophomore campaign with 273 rushing yards, 173 receiving yards and four scores. While he was serviceable at times, it was clear that Montgomery wasn’t the answer for the Packers ar running back.

Last season he totaled up 188 rushing yards, 235 receiving yards and one score. This was with both the Ravens and Packers following an incident with the Packers.

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The fact is, Montgomery brings versatility. Montgomery can be used as an overall asset for the Jets in both a backup RB situation and in a backup WR situation. He’s a good player looking to prove himself.

He reportedly shined in practices to this point and he’s beginning to earn favor within the organization. In a year where Le’Veon is fresh off a holdout and maybe a little rusty, this opens up an opportunity for Montgomery to shine and with a lot to prove he could provide more of an impact for the Jets this season than most expect.

New York Jets: Le’Veon Bell’s story is not a comeback

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New York Jets, LeVeon Bell

New York Jets offseason acquisition Le’Veon Bell is not far off from a time where he was renowned as one of the best offensive players in football.

His versatile and dynamic skill set made him a 2-time All-Pro and a 3-time pro bowler. He set the league on fire from the start having seasons with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage like in 2014 or even in 2017 having another near 2,000-yard season with 11 scores.

Le’Veon provided the Steelers a patient runner but also a receiving threat. In his opinion, he is a number 1 RB and a number 2/3 WR. Thus, he felt he should be compensated as such or traded. Yeah, well the Steelers didn’t answer that request and after a year off from the game, now Bell joins the Jets and becomes one of the most anticipated Jets players maybe ever.

Bell has been given lofty expectations by the bulk of the sports media world but what are reasonable expectations for a guy who took a year off from the game in his prime?

What should the New York Jets expect from the versatile running back?

Well first things first, Bell was receiving anywhere from 113-321 carries in a season and anywhere from 26-106 carries in a season. Bell saw the ball as much as 427 times as most recently as 2017. Under Mike Tomlin, Bell saw a TON of snaps with the ball in his hands.

Adam Gase is not typically like that and in fact, Kenyan Drake disappointed mightily in his offense last season and only saw 194 times with the ball whether it was catching it out of the backfield or running it. Jay Ajayi is closer to the talent level of Bell and he even only received 295 targets or carries in his only season as the lead back.

The fact is, Gase is going to feed Bell but not as much as Tomlin, especially if you factor in the fear of rust from a year off. That leads me to believe that Ty Montgomery and Bilal Powell will play big parts as rotational backs this season. Both men are strong backups for Bell and can help limit wear and tear and take some reps to ease Bell back in. 

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So, although it would be awesome to see Bell getting the kind of volume he saw in Pittsburgh, that kind of volume isn’t typical of an Adam Gase run offense. Bell will see the field and no doubt be a difference-maker but if there is rust he can still take the pressure off Sam Darnold (a big reason the Jets wanted him) and be the lead back in an explosive offense.

Bell will have a lot of pressure this season coming off a year away from the game but there is no doubt if Bell is even a fragment of what he was in 2017 he will make a significant difference on Gang Green. 

New York Jets offensive line can finally come together in 2019

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New York Jets, Kelvin Beachum

The New York Jets are banking on their offensive line to take a big step in 2019, but can they?

The New York Jets made it a priority to bolster the offensive line this offseason, bringing in Kelechi Osemele. They will also see the return of Brandon Shell from injury and will have Brian Winters featuring once again at right tackle.

Last season, however, the Jets spent the fifth-most on offensive linemen in the NFL. Unfortunately, their money didn’t live up to the expectation set out for the players.

A starting unit of Kelvin Beachum, James Carpenter, Spencer Long, Brian Winters, and Brandon Shell was decimated with injuries and inefficiency. Brent Zvale, Jonotthan Harrison, and Dakota Dozier all received playing time to compensate for injuries.

The unit finished the season ranking 25th in the league, which ost anticipated at the beginning of the season. The signing of past-their-prime players hurt salary cap, and a subpar running back featuring behind them didn’t help pick up the slack. The signing of Le’Veon Bell should help hide their deficiencies to a degree.

His ability to come out of the backfield in a receiver role will force opposing defenses to fall back into coverage and not blitz as much. Run blocking was where the unit really struggled, but they finished 2018 with the 14th highest rating in pass-blocking efficiency.

Averaging just 4 yards per carry, ranking the Jets 29th in the league, severely hurt the offense’s production. Two significant moves this offseason changed the entire makeup of the unit — signing former Pro Bowler Kelechi Osemele, will help bolster the line in the trenches.

The Jets acquired Osemele on a steal but will pick up his massive $11.7 million per year cap hit. GM Mike Maccagnan sent a 5th round pick in exchange for a 6th round pick and Osemele. Additionally, Maccagnan cut Spencer Long, the oft-injured center. They will put their faith and hope in Harrison, the five-year veteran going on his sixth season in the NFL.

Jonotthon hasn’t started more than 10 games in his entire career, but given he can stay healthy, there’s no question he will be the consistent starter in 2019.

Aside from their veteran talent, the Jets did spend one of their third-round picks on USC tackle Chuma Edoga, a player with promise and production at the collegiate level. He’s far from being a polished product, but a year of development should pay dividends.

New York Jets Training Camp 2019 6 Players to Watch

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New York Jets, Robby Anderson, Sam Darnold

New York Jets Training camp is right around the corner, and there is finally some hope for Jets fans this upcoming season. After a very successful offseason acquiring top tier talent, an offensive-minded head coach, and rebranding the organization, Gang Green is ready to take the next step into becoming contenders and it all starts in training camp.

In order for the Jets to reach their full potential and reach the playoffs for the first time since 2010, they need certain players to step their game up and take the team to the next level.

Here are 6 players to watch in New York Jets training camp this summer:

Robby Anderson

Robby Anderson has been one of the most underrated wide receivers in the NFL for the past two seasons. With his blazing fast speed, steady hands, and his tall athletic frame he’s quickly become one of the top deep threats in the NFL but is that enough? Anderson is arguably the best receiver on the team, but he hasn’t shown any promise into becoming a number one receiver due to the previous coaching staff.

New head coach Adam Gase has raved about Anderson’s ability to stretch the field and add an element of speed on a team that doesn’t have any other deep threats.

Gase has had a good track record with wide receivers who have game-breaking speed like Robby Anderson, usually turning them into an X factor every Sunday. If Gase’s infatuation with Anderson is real don’t be surprised to see him finally get his first thousand-yard year.

Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold is entering his second year in the league and has an enormous amount of pressure to take the New York Jets to the next level. The recent trend for successful young quarterback’s in the league has been that in their second year they have breakout years and turn their team to legitimate contenders (e.g. Carson Wentz, Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson, Mitch Trubisky, etc.).

Darnold had an up and down rookie year battling injuries and turnovers but had an amazing final four weeks of the season having the highest grade for a QB on PFF over that span. In order for Darnold to take that next step, the New York Jets must let him air it out downfield and take more chances.

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Le’Veon Bell

First things first, Le’Veon Bell doesn’t need to step up his game whatsoever he’s a top 5 running back in the league and in my opinion the most versatile offensive weapon in the league. That being said, Le’Veon does have a chip on his shoulder after taking one year off due to contractual reasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Many people have written off Le’Veon Bell as just a product of his offensive line in Pittsburgh. Le’Veon Bell has constantly played in the shadow of other great players such as Antonio Brown, but now the offense will revolve around him and he will make people remember why he is the most dangerous player whenever he steps on the field.

Darryl Roberts

The Jets defense on paper is one of the best in the league and is mostly complete, but their biggest hole is at the second cornerback slot. Darryl Roberts has made quite the career for himself considering that he was a seventh-round pick in 2015 by the New England Patriots and this year he will be battling for the chance to start opposite of Trumaine Johnson.

Darryl Roberts is the most accomplished corner on the team after Trumaine Johnson and signed a three-year extension with the team worth $18 million dollars. The expectations are high for Roberts especially if Trumaine Johnson continues to deal with injuries. Roberts will maximize his potential in Gregg Williams scheme which is infamous for elevating defensive backs games.

Quinnen Williams

This year’s first-round pick Quinnen Williams has some big expectations coming into his rookie year after dominating the SEC for Alabama. The draft hype surrounding Quinnen Williams was unreal, he was even rated higher analytically than his Heisman trophy finalist QB Tua Tagovailoa.

Quinnen was often compared to the reigning Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. Quinnen’s best traits coming out of college were his hands and ability to process what was going to happen before the play even finished. Quinnen Williams could be the star pass rusher that the Jets desperately need and can completely change the outlook of the Jets season by himself.

Jonotthan Harrison

After Sam Darnold, all eyes on the offensive side of the ball will be set on this year’s starting center Jonotthan Harrison. No one really knows what to expect from Harrison, but after a nice job filling in for Spencer Long the final few weeks of the year there is hope that he can be a solid center. Harrison has shown flashes of being a suitable starter, but the question is can he be consistent with it.

If Harrison can duplicate his play from last year the New York Jets will have a decent offensive line for Sam Darnold and Le’Veon Bell to work with this year.

 

 

 

New York Jets: LeVeon Bell is going to make Sam Darnold that much better

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New York Jets, LeVeon Bell

The New York Jets are in great shape moving forward with LeVeon Bell at the helm:

While Isaiah Crowell presented a decent running back option in 2018 for the Jets, he doesn’t even compare to the talent they acquired in LeVeon Bell.

Despite the rumors that Adam Gase wasn’t interested in signing the star running back, his influence will be impactful, and he will elevate Sam Darnold’s numbers and success exponentially. Having a safety option like Bell in the backfield will give Darnold an extra progression in case his receivers are bottled up.

To give you some context:

Bell, who missed all of 2018 with a contract dispute, earned 1,291 rushing yards the year prior to go along with 655 receiving yards and 11 scores. As a dual-threat back, Gase will be able to open up his playbook and really exercise screens more effectively and efficiently. It will be interesting to see how Gase utilizes Bell’s unique skill-set and implements it on the offense.

Darnold commented on his abilities and how he is going to confuse defenses, according to ESPN:

“When he’s out there in the huddle, the defensive coordinator doesn’t know where he’s going to line up. He doesn’t know what’s coming his way. With Le’Veon out there, we’ve become a little more unpredictable, just because he’s such a great route runner. He’s not just running a ‘smoke,’ and he’s not just running 5-yard routes. He could run deep on you. He could run a slant … and score. There are a lot of different things he can do.”

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That’s one of the more underrated aspects of Bell, he can run routes like a legitimate receiver — post routes, slants, etc. Unpredictability will be the word to use when it comes tot he Jets’ new running back – Gase said it himself:

“Is he going to be in the gun? Strong? Offset? Weak? Is he going to be under center [in the Wildcat]? Is he going to be split out wide? Is he going to be the single receiver? Is he going to be in empty? Is he going to be in the slot? There are five different spots he can go if we go empty.

I anticipate Bell not only being the leading rusher for the Jets but also their top receiver. Adding just Jamison Crowder in free agency to bolster their receiving corps simply isn’t enough to get the job done for Darnold. They still have Robby Anderson on the team but lost Jermaine Kearse – this unit surely needs a boost otherwise opposing defenses will look to scheme Bell out of the game.

Bell had Antonio Brown to help deter defenders from stacking the box against the running back in Pittsburgh.

New York Giants: Why It Is No Debate That Saquon Barkley Is The Best Running Back In The League

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New York Giants, Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley is the best running back in the NFL. The New York Giants drafted the best running back in the league only one year ago with the 2nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Barkley won AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018. He was an electric, versatile runner and receiver as a rookie. Saquon proved in only one season that he is the best running back in the NFL. Some may disagree, but let’s take a look at what makes Saquon Barkley the best running back in the league:

Saquon’s Superior Receiving Ability

In his rookie season, Saquon broke records as a receiver out of the backfield. Saquon totaled 91 receptions out of the backfield in 2018. This beat Reggie Bush’s previously set rookie running back receptions record of 88 receptions.

Barkley also added an insane 721 receiving yards and a solid 4 receiving touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus, Saquon Barkley posted 1.54 yards per route run which ranked 10th among all running backs in the NFL in 2018.

This aspect of Saquon’s game is so far ahead of his competition for the league’s top running back spot. Barkley’s value as a receiver is what separates him from the rest of the pack.

In 2018, Saquon had more receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns than Ezekiel Elliot and Todd Gurley had in 2018 and more than Le’Veon Bell had in 2017. This was all achieved by Saquon Barkley in his rookie season.

Saquon Barkley will only get better. Entering his second season, the New York Giants have rebuilt their offensive line. The improved offensive line will lead to even more production out of Saquon Barkley. In addition, the absence of Odell Beckham Jr. could propel Saquon Barkley to finish 2019 with over 1,000 yards on the ground and through the air.

No One Can Tackle Saquon

According to Pro Football Focus, Saquon Barkley created a total of 71 missed tackles forced. This lead the NFL in 2018. Barkley also recorded 31 missed tackles forced as a receiver. This set a record for the most by a rookie running back in the PFF era.

Another impressive stat: 872 of Saquon’s 1,307 rushing yards came after contact. The rookie was practically impossible to take down. Saquon Barkley also lead the NFL in scrimmage yards in 2018. His 2,028 yards from scrimmage also lead all running backs, rookie or not.

Saquon Is A Threat To Score On Every Play

After breaking off a 78-yard touchdown run against the Washington Redskins, Barkley joined NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss as the only two rookies in NFL history to rack up five touchdowns of 50 yards or more during their NFL debut season.

Barkley had nine plays of 40-plus yards last year, five more than any other running back in 2018. He had 15 total touchdowns (rushing and receiving combined). The rookie’s longest play of the season was his 78-yard touchdown run against the Washington Redskins.

Saquon Barkley is the most valuable running back in the NFL. His god-gifted abilities as a runner and as a receiver will propel him into continuous domination for the foreseeable future with the Giants. 2018’s Offensive Rookie of the Year is going to smash even more records in 2019. Giants fans, get ready to see this young man reign supreme over the NFL’s running backs for at least a decade.

New York Jets: Adam Gase says what every Jets fan wants to hear

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New York Jets head coach, Adam Gase.

The New York Jets were enjoying a stellar offseason before general manager Mike Maccagnan was fired surprisingly after a reported dispute between himself and new head coach, Adam Gase.

The signings of LeVeon Bell and CJ Mosely suddenly took a backseat after a successful free agent period, but there’s still hope on the horizon, because as we know, being a Jets fan can never be easy.

However, Gase has taken on the role of interim general manager and has activated his positivity to band together with the fan-base.

“I think our fans care if we win or lose,” Gase said. “If we win games, no one is going to remember this, I know that. Our job is to win. Our job is to win. That’s it.”

Gase was accused of fighting with Maccagnan over the signing of Bell, as the former Miami Dolphin coach apparently believed that premium running backs weren’t necessary. Although, Gases’ relationship with Bell has been great since the firing.

The New York Jets can erase the bad with the good in 2019:

The Jets desperately need to have a successful season if they wish to wash the criticism away after the transgressions that occurred this offseason. With Sam Darnold going into his second-season, Gase and his offensive prowess should help him reach his potential.

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Darnold threw 15 interceptions in 2018 – finding a way to lessen that number and utilize his playmakers efficiently will be the priority. Bell will certainly play a big part in the progression of the offense and the efficiency of the team as a whole.

Bell will act as a fantastic security blanket for Darnold in the passing game but will also give the Jets a quality at running back they haven’t experience in quite some time. Hopefully, Gase can bring out the best in Darnold and Bell individually.

New York Jets: The Pros and Cons of Signing Le’Veon Bell In Free Agency

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New York Jets, LeVeon Bell

The New York Jets’ rushing attack was rolling downhill for the first 6-weeks of the 2018 season. In week 7 against the Vikings, Bilal Powell suffered a devastating injury that derailed his career.

In the penultimate game of the season, Isaiah Crowell sustained a foot injury that prevented him from returning to his former glory. Elijah McGuire and Trenton Cannon both showed some flashes of talent, but neither stood out as a pass-catching back.

All of this begs the question:

Is Le’Veon Bell a Good Fit For the New York Jets?

Bell’s numbers are otherworldly. When he’s been on the field, he’s averaged 86 yards on the ground and 43 yards through the air. If you added that to the Jets’ current offense, Sam Darnold could throw for 200 yards to his receivers, and not have to worry about anything else. Jets fans have been waiting for that situation since 2010.

Conversely, Bell brings a lot of baggage with him. He’s been suspended for the first 3 games of consecutive seasons, and he’s missed 18 games in his career. Most notably, he held out the entirety of last year, and going a year without football takes a toll on a player’s overall athleticism.

What Will The Jets Have To Give Up?

That holdout actually hurt Bell’s value more than anything. Last summer, he wanted quarterback money: rumored to be $30 million a year. The breakout of James Connor brought about questions if Le’Veon is a ‘system’ running back. Nobody denies that Bell is an elite receiver at running back. However, he’s going to want Todd Gurley money, almost $15 million per year. Oddly enough, that’s only $500k more than his franchise tender last year.

Why Bell Should Not Be A Jet:

Le’Veon Bell is a stellar talent with a poor attitude. This may be old-fashioned, but he does not put the team before himself. You can look past the holdout; the drug suspensions and the contract dispute went on for multiple years. The Jets brass dealt with Darrelle Revis in a sub-par manner, and he didn’t even have any character issues. For a rebuilding team with a cornerstone, franchise quarterback, establishing the right culture in the locker room is imperative.

How Does Saquon Barkley’s Measurements Stack Up Against Other RB’s?

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The New York Giants are very much in the race to grab Penn State running back Saquon Barkley in the first-round of the 2018 NFL Draft, but how does he stack up against other running backs?

Here’s a list of several other running backs entering the draft this year, according to CBS Sports:

PLAYER HEIGHT WEIGHT (LBS)
Kalen Ballage 6’1-4/8″ 228
Saquon Barkley 6’0″ 233
Nick Chubb 5’10-7/8″ 227
Derrius Guice 5’10-4/8″ 224
Nyheim Hines 5’8-3/4″ 198
Kerryon Johnson 5’11-4/8″ 213
Ronald Jones 5’11” 205
John Kelly 5’9-7/8″ 216
Sony Michel 5’10-5/8″ 214
Rashaad Penny 5’11” 220

How do these running backs compare to Barkley, and how can we apply these measurements to ability in the NFL?

Barkley stands at 6’0″ and weighs in at 233-pounds, far and away the heaviest back in this running back group. A five pound difference for a running back is a big one for all you sticklers out there.

The Penn State product has the size of a linebacker and the running ability of a premium half-back. For those that think Barkley can’t break a tackle, or can’t run through small holes, here’s a video to prove otherwise.

This is all 24 of Barkley’s rushing and receiving touchdowns in 2017, and as you can see in the video, he can break tackles if need be. But his greatest talent isn’t breaking tackles, it’s his sub 4.5 40-yard dash time, and his ability to change directions on a dime. A 233-pound running back with the quickness of LeVeon Bell and the strength of Brandon Jacobs sounds awfully enticing.

https://twitter.com/NFLDraftInsider/status/969322491431804929

Adding a piece like Barkley to the offense would be a huge step up for the Giants, but they must build a quality offensive line around him, otherwise he will be a waste of talent.

Barkley additionally put up 29 reps on the bench press, which is absurd for a running back. Strength like that is seen in most All-Pro defensive lineman.