Jets running backs showing why team doesn’t need Dalvin Cook: ‘We’re great players’

The Jets’ working backs have heard the chatter for weeks.

The group’s flirtation with Dalvin Cook dinner was very public when he came to Florham Park to visit.

There was a clamoring from Jets followers to sign Cook as insurance as Breece Corridor recovers from his ACL damage.

However on Saturday, of their preseason recreation in opposition to the Panthers, the present Jets working backs confirmed the group won’t want Cook dinner.

The Jets mixed to hurry for 141 yards and their backs caught 9 passes.

That ought to make normal supervisor Joe Douglas suppose twice about signing Cook dinner.

The present Jets backs said their case.

“We ignore it. Speak is affordable,” working again Michael Carter mentioned. “Dalvin’s a terrific participant. Dalvin’s most likely the most effective school soccer working backs of all time [at Florida State], in my view rising up in north Florida. He’s a extremely good participant.

“On the identical time, we really feel like we’re nice gamers, too. We’re simply younger in our careers. We’re all chasing greatness when it comes to group and private targets. Nothing however respect for [Cook], however we’re not likely centered on that. We’re simply attempting to get higher and grind.”

Carter is essentially the most intriguing of the Jets backs.

He had a powerful rookie season in 2021 however dropped off final 12 months. Carter has spoken about how tough final 12 months was.

Corridor emerged because the group’s lead again after which when Corridor tore his ACL in Week 7, the Jets traded for James Robinson somewhat than permitting Carter to hold the load.

Carter appears to be like like he has regained the shape he confirmed as a rookie when tacklers struggled to carry him down.

Carter averaged 4.8 yards per carry Saturday and caught two passes for 34 yards.

“As for Michael, he appears like he’s rattling close to again,” coach Robert Saleh mentioned. “I do know he was pissed off from his second season, however one factor you possibly can depend on with him is to make the primary man miss and simply churn out these 4-, 5- and 6-yard runs.

“I believed he did a very nice job of creating the primary man miss as we speak and looking out like who he’s.”

Within the locker room after the 27-0 win Saturday, Carter mentioned he felt good going into final season, too, however acknowledged it’s totally different this 12 months.

“All the pieces is totally different,” Carter mentioned. “This 12 months I really feel higher than each of these years. I admire coach saying that. Everybody’s obtained their very own opinions, however I admire it. I really feel good.”

The Jets’ offense goes to revolve round new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, after all, however the working recreation might be crucial.

The Jets introduced Nathaniel Hackett in as offensive coordinator and pointed to his success within the working recreation in Jacksonville when he was the coordinator.

The Jets can’t simply depend on Rodgers.

“When you possibly can fall ahead and make one thing out of nothing and maintain yourselves forward of the sticks, it begins with the offensive line and the run recreation — you’re going to provide your self an opportunity to own the ball which I really feel like we did within the first half and the second half,” Saleh mentioned.

Rodgers didn’t play within the preseason recreation in Carolina, leaving Zach Wilson to begin at quarterback.

Wilson threw ceaselessly to the working backs and you may see how huge of a component screens could possibly be for the Jets.

“Operating recreation helped arrange some screens, some keepers, which clearly did very well for us,” Wilson mentioned. “Hats off to these guys up entrance for taking that problem. I believe that was the problem for them as a result of joint practices possibly didn’t go in addition to we wished up entrance.

“The message was to go on the market and provides all of it you bought. The massive guys up entrance, I believe they did an superior job. We ran the ball effectively with the primary group and the second group.”