The view from across the line of scrimmage might appear a bit foreign to Jets running backs Thomas Jones and Leon Washington.
As they peer over their own wide-body offensive line – Nick Mangold, Alan Faneca, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Brandon Moore and Damien Woody – Jones and Washington might find it to be a little less congested on the other side.
They might find the rush-hour traffic a bit lighter than it was last year thanks to the presence of Brett Favre at quarterback.
For all the gifts Chad Pennington possesses, we’re not breaking any news by reporting that his arm strength was not one of them. Because of that, opposing defenses didn’t have to fear the deep passes from Pennington and they could even cheat a bit on the perimeter stuff near the sideline.
That allowed opposing defenses to stack eight defenders in the box to stuff Jones at or near the line of scrimmage and smother Washington when the Jets tried to get him into space to make a big play with his elusiveness and speed.
The result was a 19th ranking in the NFL in rushing (only five teams had an average of less than the Jets’ 3.8-yards per carry) and too much pressure on Pennington and Kellen Clemens to make plays.
Favre, because he can throw the ball with velocity from Hempstead to Florham Park, N.J., should be able to reverse that trend. That much has appeared evident through only three days of training camp practices as of yesterday.
Because Favre can zip the ball into an antique door keyhole from 60 yards away, opposing defenses are going to have to think twice before sending an extra defender in the box, otherwise Favre could pick the secondary apart.
That should translate into more running lanes for Jones and more open space for Washington.
“All I can do is speak from experience,” said Jets fullback Tony Richardson. “When I was in Minnesota, we played Brett and the Packers twice a year and I remember watching our defensive preparation all week long and then you get to the game and he just tears you apart.
“You try to disguise as many looks as you can and he recognizes it and throws a quick pass outside. Then you stop that and he hands the ball to a running back. It’s like you’re playing chess and a lot of times you’re going to lose that chess match to Brett Favre. I’ve experienced it first hand, up close and personal. “Having a guy like that on your team knows it keeps the defense honest.” That’s music to Jones’ ears.
“I’m not sure exactly what defenses are going to play,” Jones said. “They know the caliber of play, know what (Favre) brings to the table and they may back up or they may not.
“Obviously as a running back, you want to go up there with six guys in the box. That’s one less guy that you have to deal with before you get in the secondary. I’m going to do everything I can to make his life easier, try get him acclimated to offense and team.
“Just the fact that you have a proven quarterback who’s had an outstanding career is enough for people to pay attention.”
Asked, from a defensive standpoint, how much Favre’s presence could help open up the running game that was so dormant last season, Jets linebacker David Bowens said, “Oh, big time . . . big time.”
“In a perfect world I’d say both (Jones and Washington) have 1,000 yards rushing,” Bowens said. “The running game has come along so far very well. We have potential to do that.”