Len Pasquarelli of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that the Carolina Panthers will listen to trade offers for RB Jonathan Stewart. Why would they do this? Well they just signed FA RB Mike Tolbert and last year they signed DeAngelo Williams to a 4 year/43 million dollar contract. Once they added Tolbert this year, the need for Stewart was gone. Tolbert like Stewart is a north/south runner, that thrives between the tackles, while Williams is a east/west pass catching back, much like LeSean McCoy from the Eagles. Why would our favorite team want him?
The RB's currently on the Jets roster are Shonn Greene,Joe McKnight, and Bilal Powell. While Greene has shown flashes of brillance, he has proven to not be an every down running back. Think of him more as a closer. Someone you can bring in the 3rd or 4th quarter and allow him to wear the D down. McKnight is the Jets version of DeAngelo Williams/Darren Sproles/LeSean McCoy, more of a scat back. He really hasn't been used that much, and I'm not sure if he could be an every down back. Bilal Powell is entering is second season and was rarely used at all last year. So kicking him to the curb may be premature but if you have a chance to get a guy like Stewart, you cannot pass it up.
Last year Stewart had 142 carries for 761 yards, thats a 5.4 yds./carry. He had 4 rushing TD's all year and he had 47 receptions for 413 yards. He stands at 5'10", 235 lbs. Shonn Greene had 253 carries for 1054 yds., thats a 4.2 yds./carry average. He had 6 rushing TD's and had 30 receptions for 211 yards. He stands at 5'11" 226 lbs. Stewart and Greene have a similar build but you can see that Stewart had a better average than Greene with 111 less carries. Remember too that the Carolina backfield shared carries with rookie phenom Cam Newton. I think the Jets should add Stewart to bolster their run game. What could it cost them a 3rd rounder? So what? Is anyone they draft in the 3rd round going to be as productive as Stewart? He is entering the final year of his contract where he is due to make 2.6 million. Mr. T get on that phone and add him, now!!
*stats courtesy of espn. com
*contract details courtesy of spotrac.com
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