Shonn Greene's Profile at Pro-Football-Reference

Shonn Greene @ Wikipedia

College Stats

Study As He Goes

For any players out there who need a lesson in humility (cough- Plaxico Burress, cough- Terrell Owens) look to Shonn Greene. Not only does he spell his name weird, but his unusual spelling habits might have contributed to him having to leave school for a year because he was as dumb as a bag of seaweed. Most players in this position would just transfer to a school with lower expectations or a school that might shove them in the right direction (see Florida State). But Greene, who's production wasn't exactly stellar in his first two seasons, took classes at a local junior college while working in a furniture store, missed all of spring practice, came back in the fall as #6 on the depth chart, and all he did was become the top RB in the nation while setting a school record for rushing yards in a season at Iowa.

His Game

Shonn Greene came out of nowhere in 2008. He totaled 69 carries his first two seasons at Iowa and didn't even attend school for the following season. But in 2008, he was the only NCAA player to rush for 100 yards in EVERY GAME and won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top RB.  He was also named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and was on almost every All-American team. He was the first consensus All-American running back from Iowa since 1939.

His best game came late in the season, against No. 3 Penn State. The Nittany Lions defense ranked 11^th in the country against the run, and had only allowed one 100-yard rusher in their first nine games, and that came in a 46-17 blowout win. Greene didn't pay any attention to those numbers. He rushed 27 times for 117 yards and two TDs against a team that needed to win in order to play in the national championship.  

Greene did all this while playing in the bruising Big Ten. The conference is known for its tough, physical defense, and Greene used his strong lower body, tremendous cutback vision and sheer strength to bulldoze his way through the line. He is a downhill runner who always completes his runs and falls forward when tackled (usually by the 2^nd or 3^rd man) thereby gaining those extra yards.  He did not register one fumble while in college;  that should help him at the next level.

A Little Comparison

Another running back from the Big Ten, Chris "Beanie" Wells out of Ohio State, was drafted before Greene (31^st overall by the Arizona Cardianls). Wells and Greene had seven  mutual opponents in 2008: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Purdue, Penn State, Michigan State, Northwestern, Illinois. Here are their stats in those games:

Wells: 163 carries, 846 yards, 6TDs

Greene: 177 carries, 1108 yards, 12TDs

With those numbers, there could only be a few reasons Greene was drafted later. There are some questions about his intelligence (he did drop out of college after all), he has awful hands and is no threat catching balls out of the backfield, isn't a very good blocker, and most compelling is that he had only one good year in college. Finally, he did have questionable work and eating habits before last season and now that he's got those under control, we think he's ready to step it up in the NFL.

Fantasy Outlook

The Jets already have a Pro Bowl running back in Thomas Jones. Jones had his best year of his career last year. He ran for 1,312 yards and 4.5 yards per carry (both 2^nd most in a season for him). He also scored double digit touchdowns (13) for the first time in his career.  Four key acquisitions fed these gaudy numbers:  Tony Richardson, Alan Faneca, Damien Woody.  The Jets offensive line and FB combo is among the best in the league.

The Jets may have drafted Greene because Jones turns 31 and he is unhappy with his contract situation (not getting enough money apparently works, maybe we should hold out from our advertisers, seems like it works in the pros).  Greene won't be the 3^rd down back, unless it's "and short", so Leon Washington can bet his job is safe. Greene will be Jones' backup and is a great handcuff.  The Jets will take a page from the Ravens and Falcons playbook as they successful guided their teams to the playoffs with rookies under center.  Mark Sanchez figures to win the starting gig in New York.