Buffalo Bills: Ranking the running backs in the AFC East
By Rob Spehar
2. New York Jets: Le’Veon Bell & Frank Gore
The New York Jets ended the season with one of the worst rushing attacks in the league finishing with 1,257 yards which was good for 31st. Only the Miami Dolphins did worst. They entered the offseason with a glaring need staring them in the face, and that was to upgrade the offense and get help for quarterback Sam Darnold. Help did come by way of the draft with Denzel Mims and Mekhi Becton, along with the free agent signings of Breshad Perriman and Frank Gore. It seems that the Jets did their due diligence and have upgraded. But is it enough?
Le’Veon Bell has a patient running style that requires patience to watch. He had a down season in 2019 and a lot of that can be contributed to the year he took off while he was still a part of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although Bell reassured everybody that he was fully ready to go, it was widely expected that there was going to be some rust. And there was. His numbers showed that, carrying the ball 245 times for 789 yards and 3 touchdowns while averaging 3.2 yards per carry. His lowest average of his entire career. Much of that can be contributed to a poor offensive line too. One thing that cannot be overlooked though is how well he can catch passes out of the backfield. His receiving numbers were pretty good catching 66 passes for 461 yards and one touchdown. He has skills that are rare for a running back and they must be utilized for the Jets to be successful.
The signing of Frank Gore can be an under the radar kind of a signing. One that you don’t pay much attention to until you see the product that is on the field. He is a change of pace running back and the kind that can wear down a defense to set things up for Bell. Gore isn’t the every down kind of back that he once was but the way that he can change the psyche of his teammates is unparalleled. Just look at Devin Singletary for the rival Buffalo Bills. He helped Singletary up his game and provided the guidance he needed to be the future for the Bills. Le’Veon Bell doesn’t need the mentoring, but he will provide enough that can change an outcome for the Jets in 2020.