As the Jets get close to training camp, I am going to examine the roster and give you my top 25 players on the Jets roster. Each weekday we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game. Hope you enjoy.
No. 9: CHRIS IVORY
Last year’s ranking: Unranked/not on team
Position: Running Back
Age: 25
How acquired: Traded 2013 fourth-round pick to Saints for him on April 27, 2013
Contract status: 3 years, $6 million remaining
Looking back at 2012: Ivory got lost in a crowded backfield with the Saints last year. He played in just six games, losing time to his competition and dealing with a hamstring injury.
Ivory rushed for 217 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries as he fell behind Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram on the depth chart. He also had two catches for 15 yards.
Outlook for 2013: The Jets made the deal for Ivory hoping they have landed a workhorse back that can carry the load for them this season. Ivory has averaged 5.1 yards per attempt in his career and the Jets feel he can flourish if given a bigger role than he had in New Orleans.
Ivory comes to New York with a reputation as a power back who can also make tacklers miss. The Jets were never satisfied with Shonn Greene’s plodding style and hope Ivory can be more explosive.
The Jets have Mike Goodson, Bilal Powell and Joe McKnight all fighting for carries, too, but the bulk of the carries should go to Ivory. Fumbling was a problem for him in 2010 when he had four and he is not known as a strong receiver out of the backfield. Those two things will bear watching during the preseason games and training camp as the Jets decide how to divide up the running back workload.
If Ivory works out the way the Jets hope, he could give them a running element that has been lacking in the past two years. Marty Mornhinweg is known as a pass-happy coordinator, but he’s had some strong rushing attacks as a play-caller, too.