New York Jets Battle At Running Back

Matthew Hull

New York Jets• Since Thomas Jones left the New York Jets

following the 2009 season, the Jets have not had a premier featured running back

• While it looks to be the case again for this coming season, the Jets do have many running backs on the roster, some of which are fighting for a roster spot

• Let’s take a look at who’s on the roster and where they stand currently as we head closer to the start of the new season

Chris Ivory• Ivory came from a small

school, Tiffin, but made his mark as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints

• Ivory signed with the Jets and has ran for 1,654 yards and 9 touchdowns in a running back by committee role over the course of two years

• He has shown great signs and figures to be a lock to make the roster

Stevan Ridley• Ridley was a 3rd round pick by the

New England Patriots out of LSU in 2011

• He had a breakout year in 2012 rushing for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns but has not been nearly successful since

• A frequent visitor of Bill Belichick’s dog house and coming off a season in which Ridley tore his ACL, Ridley was not brought back by the Patriots and signed with the Jets

• He has had fumbling issues but if he can show the Jets any sign of his 2012 form, he’ll likely make the team

Bilal Powell• Powell was a 4th round pick by

the Jets in 2011 and has done enough for the Jets to bring him back following the expiration of his rookie contract

• While he’s not particularly fast or big, Powell has shown that he can get the job done

• He also possesses good hands and has frequently been the Jets third down back

• Jets like him enough to at least keep him as their 3rd running back

Zac Stacy• Stacy was a 2013 5th round

selection by the St. Louis Rams

• Forced into action, Stacy had himself a pretty good rookie year rushing for 973 yards and 7 touchdowns

• However, he ran for the nearly 1,000 yards on an underwhelming 3.9 yards per carry clip

• Stacy was ultimately phased out of the offense last year and found himself with the Jets via a draft day trade

• It’s an outside chance he makes it but if he can perform in the preseason the Jets will certainly have some tough decisions to make

Daryl Richardson• Richardson also came to

the Jets from the Rams last year after minimal success in St. Louis

• He did not see any carries last year with the Jets and his days appear to be numbered

• Richardson is still just 23 years old so if he has something to show, now is the time to do it