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The Jets have added a couple of players to their roster off the wire – RB Alex Green (Green Bay) and OLB Scott Solomon (Tennessee) . . .
GreenĀ is a 6-0, 225-pound back with 4.45 speed. He played two years at the University of Hawaii after playing at Butte Junior College (where Aaron Rogers went).
Green was considered one of the better running backs in the 2011 draft, and the picked in the third round by the Packers.
In Week 7 of his rookie year, he hurt his knee ending his season.
Last year, he carried 135 times for 464 yards, not exactly gaudy numbers, but keep in mind, the Packers had offensive line issues last year.
But just as important as his running ability, is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, a big job for running backs in the West Coast Offense. He had 18 catches last year. He has soft hands as a receiver.
Just like Graham Harrell, Green is a good fit for Marty Mornhinwegās offense because the Packers play a very similar system.
But even with the familiarity to the West Coast, it could take a bit for Green to pick up the Jets playbook. He scored a 13 on the Wonderlic at the combine.
It was surprising the Packers cut Green after losing starting tailback DuJuan Harris this summer to a season-ending injury. Harris was slated to start for the Packers this year.
But they did pick two highly-touted runners in the draft, so theĀ writing was on the wall that they were moving on from Green. The PackersĀ greased the skids for Green’s departure with theĀ drafting of Ā Eddie Lacy (1st round pick ā Alabama), Jonathan Franklin (4th round, UCLA).
But even with the Harris injury, they cut Green and actually worked out Joe McKnight.
So clearly the Packers soured on Green.
But the Jets want to kick the tires.
He is a nicely built back with a thick body to both dish out and withstand punishment.
Green, who averaged eight yards a carry as a senior at Hawaii, has very quick feet for a 225-pound back. He doesnāt dance ā he sticks his foot in the ground and heads up field . . .
The Jets alsoĀ claimed Solomon. He was a seventh round pick last year. The Rice-product is considered an explosive athlete. At the combine, he bench-pressed 225, 34 times, which is awesome for a linebacker prospect.Ā HeĀ also had aĀ vertical jump of 35 inches and broad jump of 10 feet 4 inches. While he’s only a 4.8 forty guy, he’s explosive as theĀ aforementioned numbers point out, andĀ very quick off the ball and has a great motor.
He’s actually a better fit for the Jets’ 3-4 defense as an outside linebackerĀ than as a 4-3 end in Tennessee, so the Jets might have something here.
Solomon is one of the guys who “plays like his hair is on fire,” to borrow a Rex Ryan expression.
“I’m going to be a ball of fire, full of piss and vinegar,” Solomon last April.
Not a bad guy to take a chance on . . .
Ā
September 1, 2013
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