Raiders superstar running back calls out Jets manhood with eye-opening claim
Ashton Jeanty sees an opportunity for the Raiders to get their struggling running game going Sunday against the Jets.And apparently, he sees some Gang Green defenders who might be willing to help.The Raiders running back delivered a pointed assessment when asked Wednesday what he sees in the Jets defense that gives him confidence the Silver and Black can find traction on the ground.“Couple guys out there that don’t really want to tackle,” Jeanty said.“But I’m not gonna say names.”The identites might remain a mystery.
The challenge does not.Jeanty essentially questioned the willingness of some Jets defenders to do one of the most fundamental parts of their jobs.Coming from the running back they will be trying to bring down Sunday, it was a declaration that adds some intrigue to the matchup.It also puts a little more weight behind his confidence that the Raiders can get their rushing attack back on track.“I think we can definitely get the run game going, get back on track,” Jeanty said.
“Just really get after these guys.”For the Raiders, whose run game is the third-worst in the NFL, the opportunity now is to turn that assessment into production.Identifying defenders who might be reluctant to tackle is one thing.Getting Jeanty into position to test that willingness is another.
The Raiders still have to create openings, execute their blocks and give their running back chances to attack defenders with momentum.If they can do that, Sunday should provide a fairly direct test of what Jeanty believes he sees.His comments leave little room for interpretation, even without identifying specific players.He did not simply suggest the Jets have vulnerabilities against the run.
He pointed to the willingness of certain defenders to finish plays once the ball carrier reaches them.That is a more personal critique, and one the Jets can answer on the field.Jeanty, meanwhile, has given himself something to back up.There is nothing particularly unusual about a run...