New York Jets running back Shonn Greene admits to briefly wondering if newly acquired quarterback Tim Tebow would take some of his carries, but he has put those thoughts behind him and expects to carry a heavier load in 2012, Ben Shpigel of the New York Times writes.
"I did, I did," Greene said during last week's organized team activities. "But then again, you can't dwell on stuff like that. There's going to be plenty of carries to go around."
After playing behind Thomas Jones as a rookie and then splitting carries with LaDainian Tomlinson in 2010, Greene set career highs with 253 rushing attempts for 1,054 yards and six touchdowns last season. More importantly, Greene improved his ball security, fumbling just once (which was recovered by D'Brickashaw Ferguson) after putting the ball on the turf six times over his first two NFL seasons.
The Jets plan to return to (and stick with) a "Ground and Pound" running game under new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, with Greene leading the way.
"We're going to run that to death until someone stops us, and I think that's the type of back I am," Greene said.
Sparano was the Miami Dolphins' coach when their "Wildcat" offense took off in 2008. With the arrival of Tebow, who has 887 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 23 games the last two seasons, the Jets will use the "Wildcat" with regularity, but Sparano likes what Greene brings to the table on those power running plays.
"He gets his shoulders squared to the line of scrimmage, he breaks tackles and he runs at the right pad level," Sparano said. "To me, he has all the qualities I look for."
