There is just one preseason game remaining and just 12 days before the Jets’ season begins for real against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 7.
So that sickly pale shade of green some Gang Green fans are wearing is because they know to win in the AFC East, a team must have a solid running game.
Heading into tomorrow night’s final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Jets’ running game has been harder on the eyes than the price of gas.
The Jets have averaged a woeful 2.7 yards per carry this preseason. Thomas Jones, who probably will not play against the Eagles as coach Eric Mangini focuses more on individual evaluations before the final cuts, has averaged just 2.4 yards on 12 carries.
“I think it’s a work in progress,” said Mangini in what hardly could be considered a ringing endorsement. “I think I’m really happy with the work that we got the last two weeks [against] two good defenses.
“Washington’s defense is kind of salty,” Mangini said. “You go against the Giants, they create the problems that they create. I think that’s been great work for us and allowed us to assess some things that we need to do better.”
The Jets made improving their running game one of their off-season priorities. Guard Alan Faneca was lured from the Pittsburgh Steelers with a $40 million deal, the richest deal handed out to a guard.
They signed veteran Tony Richardson, one of the best lead-blocking fullbacks in the NFL to usher Jones and Leon Washington through the line.
Nevertheless, the Jets are averaging a league preseason-worst 62 yards per game rushing, 20 yards less than the league average. Perhaps no one told them that green means go.
“We’ve been getting plenty of work in practice against each other, 1’s-vs-1’s,” Jones said. “This is my second year in the offense so I’m a lot more familiar with everything.
“We work really hard against in each other in practice so a lot of times the game reps honestly don’t matter once you get to the regular season.”
Yesterday was the Jets’ last practice at their Hofstra training facility on Long Island. The team has moved its headquarters to Florham Park, N.J. Mangini described it as a special day and Long Island as a special place.
The Jets announced four cuts, including former Rutgers and St. Joseph’s of Montvale star Ron Girault of Spring Valley.
“I think with anybody released at this time the one thing you always talk to them about is just because it didn’t work out here doesn’t mean it’s not going to work out for you,” Mangini said. “You need to keep pursuing your dream. This is by no means saying you can’t do it.”
Also let go were running backs Rodney Kinlaw, Musa Smith and tackle Thaddeus Coleman. Linebacker Jason Trusnik was placed on the physically unable to perform list.