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There has been a lot of speculation that Chris Ivory won’t be back. I have a very strong opinion on this matter. Let’s get into it . . .
Granted this is just based on fan and media conjecture, but that is the way the wind is blowing right now.
One Jets sight stated, “Popular Opinion: Chris Ivory Won’t be a NY Jet in 2016.”
I think moving on from him would be a mistake.
He’s only 27 (will be 28 on March 22).
But a few things to consider about his age.
We aren’t talking about a back in his late 20’s who has carried the ball a ton. When the Jets gave Curtis Martin a huge contract his late 20’s, he had carried the ball a lot more than Ivory.
Last year, his 247 carries, were by far the most of his six-year career. As a member of the New Orleans Saints for the first three years of career, he had 256 carries, total. His first two seasons with the Jets, he was under 200 both seasons.
He’s had 883 NFL carries in his career.
Compare that that to free agent running back Matt Forte. Over his eight-year career in Chicago, he had 2035 carries. That is a heck of a lot bigger workload than Ivory.
And consider how little he carried the ball in college.
Before transferring to Tiffin University for his final season, he played his first three seasons at Washington State. Over his three seasons in Spokane, he carried just 91 times – TOTAL. And then at Tiffin, he was playing against Division II defenses. It was a man among boys. It’s not like he was getting beat up by an SEC defense that last year.
When considering the wear-and-tear on a running back’s body, you need to consider his college workload as well. He didn’t carry much in college.
So me, this guy has some good football left.
Now I wouldn’t give him more than a one- or two-year contract, and I wouldn’t spend a fortune, but I would definitely bring him back.
His running style so violent, and his toughness has a trickle-down effect on the whole offense, and probably the defense as well. He sets a great tone for this football team.
A fan on a message board said the Jets shouldn’t bring back him back because, “running backs are a dime a dozen.”
I understand where the guy is coming from. You can make that argument with many backs on NFL rosters. But this cat is different. I’ve been covering the Jets for 20 years. I’ve never covered a guy who runs like this. He is nearly impossible to bring down by one defender. He also has runs under 4.5, so he can take it the distance as well. He has a rare combination of being a bucking bronco between the tackles, with outstanding speed for long runs.
As for his durability, aside from some muscle tweaks here and there, he’s been pretty darn healthy over his three years with the Jets.
Ivory has matured a lot. Over the last few years, he’s become one of those guys that treats his body like a temple – with massages, acupuncture, chiropractors, hot and cold tubs. He does it all when it comes to preventive medicine.
As far as I’m concerned, the Jets would be nuts to let this guy walk.
He and Brandon Marshall are the straws that stir the drink on their offense.
February 12, 2016
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