Jets’ Goodson sees opportunity in inexperienced backfield
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With good hands and the ability to get outside the tackles, new Jets running back Mike Goodson could be the perfect fit in the Jets’ new West Coast offense. Staying healthy will be a key for the fourth-year running back, who has played a full regular season just once in his career.
Goodson said he was excited about the possibilities with the Jets on a conference call with Jets beat reporters on Wednesday. While the implementation of the West Coast offense was key in his signing, Goodson was also excited about the direction he saw the franchise heading.
He will be called on to utilize his shiftiness and quickness as a pass-catching option out of the backfield. Goodson had 40 receptions for 310 yards in a reserve role for the Panthers in 2011 — his only full season.
“I definitely think [the West Coast offense] highlights the things that I do well in my game — catching the ball out of the backfield, being able to isolate the linebackers, run some routes and also running the ball between the tackles,” Goodson said. “I think it’s going to be good.”
He does boast potential although he hasn’t put it all together in one season. Last year with the Raiders, Goodson had 35 carries for 221 yards and 16 receptions for 195 yards and a touchdown in 12 games. There’s no denying his talent but the opportunities have been slim for Goodson.
In his previous stops in Carolina and then last year in Oakland, Goodson was buried on the depth chart in deep backfields. The Jets are preaching competition under general manager John Idzik so Goodson shouldn’t be scared off by a current stable of running backs that includes Bilal Powell, Joe McKnight and John Griffin. The Jets lost 1,000-yard rusher Shonn Greene to free agency.
“I think you can blame it on a lot of different things. You can say a lot of different things, but I’ve been fortunate to play with a lot of good backs on the teams that I’ve been on,” Goodson said. “Most of them were big-money guys — Darren McFadden, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart — so at the same time learning from those guys, I had to play behind them, so it was tough, but I think it’s put me in a position now where I can come in, be able to make those types of plays and be that guy at running back, that every-down guy.”
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
