The Jets had plenty of positives to take away from Friday’s preseason loss to the Giants, but none of them bigger than how their rushing combo of Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory looked.
The pair performed against the Giants just how the Jets envisioned, a blend of speed and power that can keep defenses off-balance. Ivory had six rushes for 50 yards. Johnson rushed for 42 yards on nine carries. Each caught a screen pass for a long gain.
For the first time in a long time, there is optimism about the Jets offense. This team actually might have some weapons.
“I feel [that] we’re taking steps,” Johnson said. “I wouldn’t sit here and say that we’re where we need to be, but we’re continually working, getting better and better every game. Hopefully, at the end of the year, when we look up, we’ll be a playoff team.”
The second and third series of the game illustrated how strong the Jets rushing attack can be. It began with a screen pass to Johnson for 16 yards. After a long completion to Eric Decker, Johnson busted a run for 17 yards to put the Jets in the red zone. Then, it was Ivory’s turn. He rushed for 4 yards before the Jets had to settle for a field goal. On the next series, Ivory ran for 26 yards on three carries and caught a pass for 23 yards to set up the
Jets’ first touchdown.
“It just opens up passing lanes,” Decker said of what the Jets rushing attack can do for the offense. “You’ve got to key on the running game. If we establish ourselves that way, which I think is our mentality, it allows us to have more one-on-one coverage, more man coverage. As receivers, it’s your job to get open, so it’s going to allow us to open the playbook more.”
The key with Johnson and Ivory will be their health. Ivory has been plagued by injuries throughout his career and missed time in training camp with bruised ribs. Johnson was remarkably durable during his six seasons with the Titans, never missing a game with an injury. But he had knee surgery in January and will be 29 in September with a lot of mileage on his legs.
The starting Jets offense played well against the Giants, with strong performances from the backs, quarterback Geno Smith, Decker, rookie tight end Jace Amaro and the offensive line. They nearly scored three touchdowns (one with Michael Vick at quarterback), but Decker could not hang onto a pass in the end zone.
“I think we moved the ball pretty well,” said Smith, who finished 9-of-14 for 137 yards and a touchdown. “I liked the way we started off with the first drive. I liked the way we were able to move the ball for the most part. I think we shot ourselves in the foot with some penalties. I talked to the guys about cleaning that stuff up and getting better with that.”
Smith, who officially was named the starting quarterback after the game, showed he can run the ball, too. He carried it three times for 17 yards. All preseason, Smith has shown improved decision-making when it comes to tucking the ball away and taking off.
Coach Rex Ryan said he was pleased with his rushing attack after the game, and said it can get even better if they get Bilal Powell involved along with Johnson and Ivory. Powell had just three carries for 8 yards.
“We never had a whole lot of Powell,” Ryan said. “When you put those two in there with Powell, we’re going to be in business. We think we have three excellent backs and we plan on using them.”
Eagles coach Chip Kelly announced former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez will not play in Thursday’s Eagles-Jets game. Sanchez has established himself as Nick Foles’ backup in Philadelphia.
The Jets started making cuts Saturday, releasing seven players: OT Bruce Campbell, LB Steele Divitto, OL Patrick Ford, K Andrew Furney, P Jacob Schum, RB Michael Smith and OL Markus Zusevics. The Jets’ roster is now at 81. They have to cut it to 75 by 4 p.m. Tuesday.