Jets’ Chris Ivory is the favorite to be the goal-line back this season
By Mike Dyce
The New York Jets made an offseason move to sign former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson to their roster. Johnson is likely going to be the featured back and while he might rack up a lot of yardage in the Jets’ offense, his touchdown numbers could be low.
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They might be low because in a goal line situation they’d used running back Chris Ivory instead, according to running backs coach Anthony Lynn.
“If we were playing tomorrow, Chris Ivory would be on the goal line, obviously,” Lynn said on Monday, via the New York Daily News. “Sometimes in those situations you have an extra defender that you can’t block, and you need a back that can take him on.”
It makes sense when you consider it that way, Ivory has a 222-pound frame and larger stature than the more nimble Johnson. He’d be a clear choice to pound the ball forward in short-yardage situations, including on the goal line.
According to ProFootballFocus.com, Ivory was tied for third with Adrian Peterson in yards after contact per attempt last season. Ivory led the Jets with six attempts from or inside the five-yard line last season.