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The Chris Johnson-Jets “story” continues to add new levels, and involves some pretty impressive reporting on the surface. Let’s take a closer look . . .
The top story on the NFL.com website – “Report: Jets like Chris Johnson-Ivory duo.”
This was based on a tweet from Manish Mehta – “Jets really like a potential Chris Ivory-Chris Johnson backfield tandem. Not concerned about work ethic. Will come down to $$$.”
This is truly remarkable reporting.
You have to understand, the media has no access to GM John Idzik aside from his press conferences, which are few and far between.
And if you reach out to a Jets PR person, they really can’t help you on personnel rumors or possible signings. They won’t go there.
So for Mehta to find out that the Jets really like an Ivory-Johnson tandem, and aren’t concerned about his work ethic, is pretty remarkable reporting.
But I will tell you what, I have a hard time buying the Jets are telling people they really like an Ivory-Johnson tandem.
They wouldn’t do that to Bilal Powell.
Powell has a lot of respect in that building. Perhaps there are some people who would like an Ivory-Johnson tandem, but they wouldn’t go around chirping about it, because Powell there is too much respect and admiration for Powell, on and off the field. They wouldn’t dis him like that.
And I know there are people in the media, and I’m not even talking about the aforementioned writer, who are acting like Powell doesn’t even exist.
It’s just wrong.
Look, I’m not saying he’s as good as Johnson, but he’s not an also-ran, and he’s certainly a more physical runner than Johnson, and an underrated receiver. And while he might not have Johnson’s speed, he did break a few long runs last season.
Powell averaged 4.0 yards per carry, and caught 36 passes.
Johnson averaged 3.9 yards per carry last year, and had 42 catches (with more playing time than Powell).
There was another report that a source informed of the Tennessee Titans’ thinking told Ian Rapoport that the Jets came closest to pulling off a trade for Johnson before he was released.
My gut is most of this stuff if coming from Johnson’s agent, who has always been very helpful to the media.
But you have to be careful carrying the water of an agent.
While you might get information, you can be used as a pawn.
You have to wonder if somebody, perhaps Johnson’ agent, is leaking some of this stuff about Johnson and the Jets, to put public pressure on the Jets, who haven’t spent a ton of money in free agency, to make a move on the running back.
Johnson will turn 29 in September, and has carried the ball, in the NFL, 1742 times.
And let’s not forget he carried the ball 624 times at East Carolina.
That is a lot of wear-and-tear for any back, let alone a 203-pound one.
Perhaps he can help the Jets this year, but this guy has taken a ton of hits.
May the buyer beware.
April 7, 2014
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