He ran for 107 fewer yards than the week before, but for Jets running back Shonn Greene feels he might have turned a corner.
Two Sundays ago, Greene had one of the best running back showings in franchise history, going for 161 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a blowout win of the Colts. This past Sunday, in a 29-26 overtime loss at New England, Greene rushed the ball just 16 times for 54 yards and a touchdown. But he is running the ball much better the last two weeks than earlier this season.
Greene said on Monday that he was “fine” following a fourth quarter collision with Brandon Spikes that required him to leave the game. He saw enough from the game to think the once-struggling ground game is now improving.
“We had a lot of efficient runs here and there, but sometimes we kind of missed some reads that we probably should have gotten more out of,” Greene said. “Overall, I think we did a pretty good job with that.”
The challenge will be stiff this Sunday for the Jets against a Dolphins defense that is fourth in the league in rush defense, allowing just 3.3 yards per attempt. Despite his uptick over the last two games, Greene is still averaging just 3.5 yards per carry.
Greene said the Jets reviewed the tape from Sunday’s loss and found plenty to be pleased with along with things to work on.
“We looked at both. We did a lot of good things, but we did too many things to allow a good team like them to win,” Greene said. “We have to clean up a few things and we’ll be alright.”
Gang Green notes
» Tight end Jeff Cumberland spoke briefly to the media on Monday about the cast on his right hand, which he said was the result of a helmet hit he took in the loss to the Patriots. Cumberland had an MRI on Monday which revealed a “dislocated” right hand and he offered no further explanation. The injury will cause him to miss this Sunday’s game.
» Running back Joe McKnight was spotted outside the Jets locker room on crutches with his left ankle wrapped after Sunday’s game. McKnight had seven carries for 23 yards on Sunday while battling through a high ankle sprain.
» Despite throwing for 328 yards on Sunday, quarterback Mark Sanchez still has a horrible passing record in the Jets’ four losses this season, with three touchdowns and four interceptions. In the Jets’ three wins he has an 87.9 quarterback rating; in the losses he has a 65.2 rating.
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
