John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
There isn’t too much to like about this year’s New York Jets team heading into the 2013 season. With all of the media circus still intact even though Tim Tebow is gone, head coach Rex Ryan seems to love all of the attention, therefore it’s not going anywhere.
Entering training camp, there are plenty of questions regarding the quarterback position with Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith competing for the starting spot. The position that will feature some less dramatic press and more promise, however, will be at running back.
Bringing in Chris Ivory from the New Orleans Saints will wind up being a big move if he performs anything like he did with his former team. With all of the trouble Mike Goodson has had recently, the starting spot is virtually Ivory’s to lose and I think Jets fans like it that way.
In New Orleans, Ivory averaged a healthy 5.1 yards per carry over three seasons of minimal usage while amassing over 1,300 yards in the process. With the Jets having so much frustrations on offense, Ivory has a chance to be the bright spot.
At 6’0” 220 pounds, Ivory is a big back but also possesses underrated speed especially outside the tackles. If he can reach the outside, Ivory can usually turn it into a relatively nice gain. With the Jets’ offensive line problems, it will be interesting to see if Ivory can adapt.
In New Orleans he had quite the potent offense to take pressure off of him, but in New York he will be the man. Going into camp now as the number one back has to be a big change for him, and it will be worth noting how he handles it. The Jets like what they have with Ivory, and I would have to agree with them.
Ivory is a guy that can also contribute in the passing game, though he did that rarely in 2012 with the Saints. With New York’s options pretty unproven and below average at wide receiver, Ivory will get his share of looks with screens and dump-offs in which he can turn into monster yardage.
I like what the Jets did with signing Ivory and I think he will come into camp with a fresh motivation now that he’s got himself a starting spot. He’s always been known as a hard worker in his three years with the Saints and if that proves true in New York, he could end up being a big part of what they do in 2013.
Ryan Heckman is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmheckman, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google,
