Chris Ivory Signs with Jacksonville, the Jets Offense is at a Crossroads
By Jason McIntyre
Listen, the running back crop of free agents is strong, so Chris Ivory leaving the Jets for the Jaguars isn’t the end of the world. Ivory was a workhorse for the Jets, stayed healthy, but never put up eye-popping numbers. Nobody wanted to tackle Ivory because of his punishing style. He only turns 28 later this month, and his early years in New Orleans were spent as a backup. Could he have a late-career Marshawn Lynch-type explosion? Sure … though the Jaguars would need to improve their offensive line.
A word of caution, Jacksonville fans – Ivory did seem to wear down late in the season. For reasons that still haven’t been explained, he only had six carries in the season finale, a 22-17 loss to the Bills. Ryan Fitzpatrick struggled badly, and Ivory didn’t get carries. What the hell game plan was that with the playoffs on the line? Was he hurt? Tired? In the doghouse?
Not a great blocker and just OK catching passes, Ivory’s replaceable. Plus, the Jags had $88 million in cap space, and could easily offer more money than the Jets. Jacksonville will release Toby Gerhart to make room for Ivory.
Where does this leave the Jets? (You know, besides not having a QB.)
Matt Forte appears destined for Green Bay. Maybe Lamar Miller heads to Houston. So would Alfred Morris – who really slowed down after that excellent rookie year – or Doug Martin do the trick? Certainly. Either would be a suitable replacement for Ivory … at the right price.
I’m not sure they’ll be able to bid for Martin, who erupted as a rookie (319 carries, 1,454 yards), then only played six games due to injury the following year, struggled in year three, and then carried 288 times for 1,402 last year.
In four seasons, Martin has had 868 carries. In six seasons, Ivory has had 883 carries.
Also worth keeping an eye on: Would the Jets consider Ezekiel Elliott with the 20th pick? It’s unclear if he’ll last that long (my guess today would be no).
The priority now is to bring back Bilal Powell, who has only had two 20-carry games in his first five seasons with the Jets, and add another free agent on the cheap while drafting someone promising in the middle rounds.
The two buzzy running backs I heard about at the Combine were Paul Perkins of UCLA and Kenneth Dixon of Louisiana Tech (though he had fumble issues). I’m not sure either is around when the Jets draft in the 3rd round.