The roles are changing in the Jets’ crowded backfield.
Rex Ryan has talked about Shonn Greene handling more of the workload, and that sounds just fine to LaDainian Tomlinson. He said Tuesday that he’s done the “best running back in the league” drill and is ready to try something new.
“Now at end of my career, I’d love to be best third down back,” Tomlinson told the three-pack of Jets writers -- -- Manish Mehta, Jenny Vrentas, and Rich Cimini -- who made the trip West for some player-run practices.
Tomlinson wasn’t worried the team added fourth-round pick Bilal Powell to the mix, saying you can’t have too many running backs. Second year back Joe McKnight had a slightly different response.
“I was pissed and motivated at the same time,” McKnight said about Powell’s selection.
We’re not sure exactly how this will all work. The Jets want McKnight to get the ball more, which would come at the expense of Tomlinson. In Powell, the team has a younger doppelganger for Greene if he gets hurt.
Consider it a good problem to have and a sign the Jets won’t stray too far from their run-heavy ways. Especially since they have no one to play receiver at the moment.