The surge seems almost as predictable by now as winter itself. The temperature drops, and Shonn Greene’s production rises — along with the Jets’ fortunes. Just like last season, and the season before that, the bruising running back is proving December is his month — and not just because of the presents.
“[Coach] Rex [Ryan], from day one he came in here saying we’re going to be an all-weather team,’’ Greene said. “I think the past two years we showed we can play in any type of weather. Especially when it gets to this time of year and it’s cold, windy, stuff like that. That’s when we play our best football.
“I think we — as a team, as an offensive unit — we’re molding together. It’s coming together and it’s like a rhythm thing. The last couple games I’ve been getting carries and it’s a rhythm thing. When you do that, you’re more explosive and it’s a better outcome.’’
Despite a nagging rib injury suffered three weeks ago, Greene has rushed for 217 yards and four touchdowns in the past two games. The 5-foot-11, 226-pound running back is a huge reason Gang Green has played its best football of late.
“He’s almost running like a bell cow,’’ said Ryan, flashing a Cheshire Cat grin. “We’ve been predicting it, talking about it; but now he’s getting the carries. I think when he gets the carries, his game elevates. It’s that time of the year when your big backs — while some of your smaller backs are wearing down a little bit, he’s wearing down defensive guys. That’s always a good thing.’’
And while the Jets have used Greene to punish defenses, like a fighter using body blows to wear down an opponent, it wasn’t always the case.
Greene averaged 14.4 carries through the Jets’ first five games, with both Greene and Gang Green suffering from his lack of usage. He averaged 48 yards on 3.3 yards per carry, and they lost three of their first five games.
But since a 24-6 beating of Miami on Oct. 17, when Ryan had vowed to go back to the Ground and Pound offense, Greene has been both battering ram and beneficiary. Ryan has given him 16.9 carries per game — skewed by a three-carry cameo in a loss to Denver — and Greene has seen his average spike to 4.7 yards per carry and 78.5 yards per game, with the Jets winning six of their last eight.
“We just kept working hard,” Greene said. “We had a rough first half of the season with the running game, but we just stuck with it, kept working hard and kept believing in ourselves and we’re getting it done now.
“I think it’s a mixture of everything: Me being patient, linemen getting up to the secondary. It all goes in part with each other. The past two games we’ve been good at that, so hopefully it’ll continue on.’’
And that improved running game — aided by center Nick Mangold’s return — has turned the offense into a red zone juggernaut. The Jets have scored a touchdown on their last dozen trips to the red zone — Gang Green’s longest streak since 1993.
“It’s not so much what they do. If we execute, we should be able to do whatever we want, in the running game the passing game, anything,’’ said Greene. “We practice on it, we set our scout team with eight-man fronts so we’re used to seeing it, we know where the holes are going to be. Just from seeing it so much, we’ve got an idea how to attack it.’’
Ryan added “Our entire offense, the way we’ve practiced these last couple of weeks, I don’t know want to say it’s a different offense, but the bugs are out. We’re at a high level right now.’’