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New York Jets: Making the Case for Chris Ivory

By Alan Schechter

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) breaks a tackle by Buffalo Bills strong safety Bacarri Rambo (30) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) breaks a tackle by Buffalo Bills strong safety Bacarri Rambo (30) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Jets are in a quandary. All of their running backs are unrestricted free agents, including leader Chris Ivory. The question is, which one, or ones, should they bring back?

Chris Ivory is a player that has caused great debate within the New York Jets’ fanbase. He posted his first 1,000 yard season in 2015, and was averaging well over 100 yards per game in the early portion of the year. He literally punished defenders when he got going downhill. He also suffered some nagging injuries, and fizzled a bit during portions of the season. Some question his consistency.

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With both he and Bilal Powell as unrestricted free agents, the Jets aren’t likely to bring them both back. Should Ivory be back? Editor of the Jet Press, and fellow Spin Zone writer, Luis Tirado Jr,  presented an excellent argument to say goodbye to Ivory.

Here is the opposite take.

Ivory will be 28 years old at the start of the 2016 season.  While it is true that in a couple of years, Ivory will be on the decline, that is typically true about all running backs of this age.  He posted his best season of his career in 2015, by a wide margin.  Ivory is hitting the prime of his career now, why shouldn’t the Jets take advantage?

And Bilal Powell is only seven months younger than Chris Ivory, it’s not like he has five years left before hitting the magic number of 30, compared to Ivory’s two.  They are almost the exact same age.

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) runs with the ball during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) runs with the ball during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Bilal Powell cannot take over as the number one back, he just hasn’t shown enough. In 17 games where Powell carried the ball 10 times or more, he averaged 3.9 yards per carry, and 53.8 yards per game. This is a good change of pace back, but just not the numbers of an every-down back.

There has been a lot of talk about Ivory’s durability. Granted, his physical running style leads him to a lot of contact, and therefore, bumps and bruises. He has sustained his share of nagging injuries. For what it’s worth, however, Bilal Powell has actually been inactive for more games in his career than Ivory has. Taking out his rookie year, Powell has been inactive for eight games. Through Ivory’s career with the Jets, he has only been inactive for two.

What are the other alternatives at starting running back, if Ivory is gone? The draft is there, but those are unknown quantities until they take a snap on the NFL level. Suggestions have been made to bring in Doug Martin. Many think he will be back in Tampa Bay, but even so, he has had injury problems in two of his first four seasons. His durability is in question.

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Lamar Miller was another thought. He has had his moments, but at his peak, has rushed for 68 yards per game. Last season, Ivory averaged over 71 yards per game.

Bring back the known quantity, bring back Ivory.

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