CINCINNATI — Is it possible that we’re seeing a changing of the guard at lead running back for the Jets?
Sure, Thomas Jones was second in the AFC and fourth in the NFL with 1,402 rushing yards this season, scoring 14 TDs — both career highs.
But in recent weeks — dramatically highlighted by yesterday’s 24-14 wild-card playoff victory over the Bengals — rookie Shonn Greene has been featured in a much more aggressive way than he has been all season.
Greene, whom the Jets traded up to draft at the top of the third round in April, enjoyed a national coming-out party of sorts yesterday, rushing for 135 yards and a 39-yard TD on 21 carries.
Greene provided more than a change-of-pace for Jones, who rushed for 34 yards and a TD on 15 carries; he was the star.
“He’s running hard,” Jets right tackle Damien Woody said. “The biggest thing with him is the yards he gets after contact. He’s running over people. He hit No. 41 [Bengals safety Chinendum Ndukwe] one time so hard I thought he killed him.”
When that comment was relayed to Greene after the game, the soft-spoken rookie out South Jersey and Iowa smiled.
“That gives you a sense of power and you feel like an animal,” Greene said. “He was out there talking a little trash, so I was happy to hit the guy.”
Greene said the yards after contact “is my forte.”
Rex Ryan said he pumped Greene up before the game, predicting big things.
“I told him going into the game I thought he could get 150 yards,” Ryan said. “We felt good about him. When you look at him and Thomas Jones, what a one-two punch we have there.”
In recent weeks, in an effort to keep Jones fresh, Greene’s carries had increased entering yesterday’s game. In the two games entering yesterday, Greene rushed for 157 yards on 29 attempts while Jones had 183 yards and three TDs on 50 carries.
“Shonn has done a great job stepping up,” Jones said. “He’s grown up really quick.”
Greene was also an integral part of the Jets win over the Bengals in the regular-season finale, rushing for 62 yards on 13 carries.
With the injury to Leon Washington earlier in the season, Greene became a big part of the Jets’ offense, rushing for 540 yards, a 5.0-yard average and two TDs when he spelled Jones.
Greene, before the game talked about the opportunity this season giving him a legitimate chance to test his talents against the best rather than sitting and watching like many rookies do.
“It gives me confidence that I am able to compete in this league and do the things I was able to do on the collegiate level,” Greene said.
Greene said he “had no idea” what his role would be when he was drafted. Knowing Jones and Washington were such a huge part of the offense, he couldn’t have figured to get 108 carries this season.
“Whatever they needed me to do, I was willing to do to help the team win,” he said. “It just so happened that this came about; it was an opportunity for me, unfortunately for Leon, but an opportunity for me and I think I’ve handled it well.”