Acquisition of Barlow doesn’t fix Jets’ offensive woes

By Krupka  |   Sunday, August 20, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

New York Jets
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!
After just two preseason games, it became painfully obvious that the New York Jets needed a running back. Veteran Curtis Martin's future is dubious, and aside from him, there were no proven backs on the roster. Last week the team attempted to trade for the former Virginia Tech standout and current Cleveland Browns backup Lee Suggs, but the fourth-year pro failed his physical, nixing the deal.

Early on Sunday, the Jets were still prepared to go into the regular season with Derrick Blaylock as their starting running back.

Who?

Derrick Blaylock, he of 776 yards and 10 career touchdowns in five seasons. The Stephen F. Austin product served as a backup for the Kansas City Chiefs in his first four seasons.

Thanks to an injury suffered by Priest Holmes in 2004, Blaylock stepped in and gained 539 yards and tallied eight touchdowns. However, it's safe to say the 5-foot-9, 210-pound back doesn't yet strike fear into opposing defenses.

The organization decided to go with a contingency plan and find another back via trade, San Francisco 49ers reserve Kevan Barlow. Before acquiring Barlow for an undisclosed pick in the 2007 draft, what we knew was that the Jets boast a starting quarterback that nobody is sure can throw the ball down the field, is an injury risk and has never had a strong arm. They only have one real receiving threat in Laveranues Coles, and an offensive line that will start two rookies. It's safe to say the team could have trouble putting points on the board even after acquiring the former Niners back.

The problem herein was the lack of available talent out there at the running back position. Atlanta Falcons bruising back T.J. Duckett is being dangled out there on the trade market, but isn't a great fit for the team, nor is he an every-down back, which is what the Jets are in dire need of still.

The Jets think Barlow can be the every-down back they lack, but since his breakout year in 2003, when he set career-highs with 1,024 rushing yards, a 5.1-yard-per-carry average and six touchdowns.

After his career year, the Niners rewarded Barlow by inking him to a five-year contract worth $20 million, with $8 million guaranteed upfront, and released veteran Garrison Hearst.

However, he never reached his 2003 levels again and fell out of favor with the coaching staff. Last year saw him total career-lows in yards per carry average (3.3) and touchdowns (three).

In the meantime, it still looks like rookies Leon Washington or Brad Smith will need to give the offense a spark on trick plays or special teams in order to put points on the board. Saturday's preseason game against the Washington Redskins showed exactly that.

The Jets and Smith used chicanery to score their first points. Early in the second quarter Smith dashed 61 yards off a double reverse for the score. The second Jets touchdown came from Leon Washington's 87-yard kickoff return.

The acquisition of Barlow could be what the offense needs, but Jets fans shouldn't count on the career disappointment. Then again, maybe the old cliché that "a change of scenery is all he needs" will prove to be right.

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

Fly with the New York Jets at Realfootball365.com
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report