Privately, the Jets staff is hoping that Chris Ivory, acquired in an offseason trade with the Saints, can be a 15-carry-a-game runner. But he has never played a full season, so it's a bold projection.
Chances are, Ivory will emerge as the lead back. The Jets want to have a physical running game, and Ivory is a big, physical back with the ability to make yards after contact. The Jets say he has natural hands, but he has no track record as a pass catcher, meaning he's not an every-down back.
We're not sure why having no track record as a pass catcher automatically disqualifies a player from being an every-down back. Ivory played for the Saints who never needed to use him as a pass catcher with both Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas on the roster. The big concern here is not workload, it's his health. He's being bothered by a hamstring injury, but if he's healthy, he's going to carry the ball 15-20 times a game.
Jets news
