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Look, this could turn into a great move . . .
Talking about the Jets signing of running back Frank Gore.
But one narrative you hear a lot about this signing, is probably leaving some people perplexed.
Talking about the leadership/mentor angle.
Yes, Gore is considered a great leader and mentor.
But the Jets have a 28-year-old running back, entering his seventh season, who has made three Pro Bowls, and is one of the Jets highest-paid players.
Talking about Le’Veon Bell.
Shouldn’t he be the leader and mentor in the running back room?
And remember, there were articles written last year about how Bell was a good leader.
Headline – New York Post – October 26, 2019 – “Jets Le’Veon Bell showing leadership through adversity.”
This article was obviously about what a strong leader Bell was for the Jets, and included a quote from linebacker Jordan Jenkins saying, “He’s a great leader for this team.”
Okay, so if this is the case, why do you need to sign Gore to be a leader at the running back position?
Today, for the first time, Jets GM Joe Douglas, addressed the Gore signing, in an exclusive interview with the team’s website.
“When we talk about a player that has been a top-tier rusher in this league and also has a great work ethic, a true pro, he’s really going to help the guys like La’Mical Perine, Josh Adams and Kenny Dixon,” Douglas said about Gore. “It’s a relatively young running back room right now behind Le’Veon (Bell), so he’s definitely going to help those young guys and he’s going to be a great example for them moving forward.”
Once, nothing against Gore, who is a class act, but why can’t Bell, “help those young guys and be a great example for them moving forward?”
It just seems a little strange to bring in a veteran mentor in a RB room where you already have an esteemed veteran running back, a guy who is considered one of the best in the business.
If you just had youngsters like Perine, Adams, Dixon and Trenton Cannon in the room, you could understand wanting to add a veteran back to leader/mentor that room. But you have Bell.
The only reason I can possible think of for why they would want Gore, aside from Adam Gase’s strong relationship from Miami, is that Gase thinks Bell, regardless of what was said in that New York Post article, is not a good leader.
And also, this is something I’m wondering about, and we will find out the answer soon. Is Bell fully participating in the virtual off-season program? We know he didn’t participate in the Jets’ full off-season program last year.
I asked Steve McLendon this question during a Zoom Press Conference last week with beat reporters, and the nose tackle said he didn’t know.
So if Bell isn’t a full participant in the virtual off-season program, where you don’t need to leave your home, then I could understand the need to bring in Gore for leadership.
But once, we don’t know if this is the case. We’ll find out soon.
But, on the surface, doesn’t this scenario seem a tad bizarre to some of you?
You need two veterans in the running back room – one to be the featured back, and the other to mentor the young running backs.
Not saying it won’t work, but it’s just is a bit unusual in NFL circles, especially in a sport with roster limitations.
May 11, 2020
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