Important Year For Joe McKnight

New York Jets running back Joe McKnight knows that the 2011 season will be an important one for him, and he said as much in an interview with the New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Here is what Joe McKnight had to say when asked if his third season in the NFL is a “critical year” for him.

"Yeah, it’s a big year. If it I don’t get it this year, it will probably be it for me. That’s how I think, I’m not saying (anything). Because it’s, what, three years? After the first year, you should really have it down pat. I just have to wait and find out, see how it pans out."

McKnight is completely right, because it’s finally time for him to either play well or get tossed by the Jets. In football, the most critical year in a player’s career is almost always the third year, because that’s when players either break out or flop. McKnight has been a flop through his first two seasons, but the former USC Trojans star is looking to shed that role in his third season.

Once known as an immature player, it seems like Joe McKnight knows that it’s time to grow up. Time is running out for him to show what he can do in the NFL. With LaDainian Tomlinson out of the picture as the Jets backup, McKnight has to prove himself as a worthy backup running back behind Shonn Greene. He could even overtake Greene as a starter, but that isn’t likely. Comet to think of it, Greene hasn’t exactly been performing as well as he should either, but his starting spot is safe at this point.

This offseason, McKnight apparently gained 15 pounds of muscle when it was food from McDonalds. He was honest about it, and his goal this training camp is to “stay consistent”.

Another excerpt from their interview with Joe McKnight:

"What would prove you “get it”?I think if I just keep getting better from last year and convert it over on special teams and offense. Just keep trying to make plays and keep being productive for the offense and for special teams. I don’t want to take a step back and go back to year one, where I am just sitting on the sideline for eight games and just sitting there wasting space on the team."

He had an awful 2011 season with an average of just 3.1 yards per carry on 43 rushes and actually digressed from his rookie season. McKnight has talent and is a factor as a pass-catcher- an appealing quality. He has upside heading into his third year, but this truly is a make-or-break season for the former college star. The Jets are giving Joe McKnight a big opportunity as a backup for the team, and it’s time to see if he can “get it”.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

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For more on Joe McKnight and the New York Jets, check out The Jet Press.