The New York Jets have been trying to figure out how to take the pressure off rookie quarterback Geno Smith and get the offense moving down the field. The run game was a focus with the three-headed attack of Mike Goodson, Bilal Powell and Chris Ivory. That has yet to pay off and with Goodson now out for the remainder of the season, Ivory is requesting more run plays.
The Jets will now rely on Powell and Ivory to handle the ground game going forward. Powell has truly emerged as the better back, proving to be more versatile in both running and catching passes of out of the backfield. Ivory has only seen a limited amount of play as a backup, but he is hoping New York leans more heavily on him with Goodson gone.
"I would like to see us run the ball more," Ivory said, via New York Daily News. "I really feel like when you can run the ball, that opens up everything else. It would take a little (pressure) off Geno. Going (forward), we have to run the ball," Ivory added. "I feel like it's a must."
Numbers support Ivory's claim for a stronger ground game. The team is 2-0 when they run the ball more than they pass. However, Mart Mornhinweg operates under the system that offenses must remain pass-first in order to generate points. Ivory notes the offense is built to be focused on the pass while Rex wants to run more.
"We run the ball," Ivory said. "I just don't feel like it's consistent.... Rex wants to run the ball, but I guess as the O.C. you see something different out there... I think he's just a passing guy. The offense he runs is built for passing."
If the Jets do opt to run the ball more, the chances they give Ivory the bulk of the carries is slim. Through five games, the former New Orleans Saints back has 115 yards off 34 carries. He has not recorded a single receiving stats. On the other hand, third-year back Powell has 360 yards off 87 carries, along with 137 receiving yards on 15 catches. The Jets will likely not commit to a traditional run game, so having a more versatile back will be more crucial.
Fantasy owners can expect Powell to be the more productive back out of the two as the team faces the New England Patriots in Week 7. Ryan has reportedly spoken with Mornhinweg about the balance on offense. Against Pittsburgh, the team was 50-50 pass/run in the first half, before the offensive coordinator reverted back to his old ways in the second half.
"If that's what was being said, he's in a no-win situation," said Ivory. "I don't feel like one quarter we (should) do a little bit of run and a little bit of pass and then the next quarter go all-out pass ... You got to mix it up."