JETS 101

New York Jets kick returner and running back Joe McKnight has been playing some cornerback in practice this week. It's not the first time Joe McKnight has ventured over to the defensive side of the ball – he played a little cornerback in last season's loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football. Joe McKnight played cornerback in high school, but he's not exactly thrilled about the move right now.

The New York Jets are scrambling in the absence of superstar cornerback Darrelle Revis. Expect more blitzes, more zone coverage and… more Joe McKnight? Flipping a running back over to the defensive side of the ball might sound like a weird solution to the loss of a perennial Pro Bowl cornerback, but the New England Patriots have had success using wide receivers such as Troy Brown and Julian Edelman as defensive backs.

Of course, Troy Brown and Julian Edelman bought into their usage on the defense, at least in their public comments. Joe McKnight? Not so much.

  "I was drafted as a running back," McKnight said. "The way I took it as I wasn't good enough to play running back; that's what I took it as. I don't know if that's the case or not."

Joe McKnight caught Rex Ryan's eye while playing cornerback for the scout team in practice. As mentioned before he did play cornerback against the Baltimore Ravens last season and was a cornerback in high school. Joe McKnight doesn't think his high school experience at cornerback will help him, though Rex Ryan does.

If the Jets aren't going to use Joe McKnight on offense (they should, but we've already been over that issue), then why not use him on defense? He has special speed and has shown the ability to be a playmaker. Get your best athletes on the field and hope for the best.

Also…

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Darrelle Revis, Football, Joe McKnight, Julian Edelman, New England, New England Patriots, New York, New York Jets, NFL, offense, Pro Bowl, Rex Ryan

Related Videos

Returning Soon!!!!

No related posts.