New York Jets: Isaiah Crowell signing makes sense for future

The New York Jets and running back Isaiah Crowell have agreed to terms in principle, and the signing is good for the team’s future at the position.

When Matt Forte retired it opened a spot in the backfield for the New York Jets. Landing a guy like Crowell can help the team, and the growth of second-year running back Elijah McGuire.

Elijah McGuire saw limited playing time in 2017. He played in 25.8 percent of the teams offensive snaps, had 3.6 yards per carry, and a touchdown. The team would like to see a jump from McGuire in 2018, and adding Crowell can help that process.

The tandem of Crowell and McGuire could be dangerous if the Jets use them right. The Jets had too many running backs that did the same thing in 2017, and that’s part of the reason . Crowell gives the backfield much needed beef.

Bilal Powell has power and can break free, but he’s not your prototypical power back in the same sense that Crowell is. Crowell will wear down the opposing defense, and that will open things up for McGuire, who the Jets want to see break out this season.

The Jets can use Crowell and McGuire in a “thunder and lightning” backfield. They want to win by running the ball and playing great defense, and not have to rely solely their quarterback to be great to win games. This is the start of that philosophy.

Everyone talks about the “Patriot Way.” Well, when the Patriots won three Super Bowls in four years, Tom Brady didn’t throw for 4,000 yards in any of the regular seasons and only had one 300-yard passing game in nine postseason games. Since they changed to a more offense-oriented philosophy, they’re 2-3 in the Super Bowl.

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Is Tom Brady great? Yes. That said, they were more successful when it was based on defense and running the football. So, instead of putting all the energy into the “one thing the Jets are lacking,” they should build the team the right way. Win with defense and the running game.