[ad_1]
The Jets celebrated when running back Michael Carter fell to them in the fourth round of the NFL Draft last spring. That celebration looks justified.
Carter has been a huge bright spot for the Jets this season. The rookie from North Carolina rushed for 118 yards last week against the Jaguars, showing his relentless running style and his ability to break tackles.
Carter leads the Jets with 135 rushes for 566 yards and four touchdowns this season. He also has caught 35 passes for 316 yards.
The Jets’ coaches have been impressed with Carter off the field as well.
“From a mental standpoint, or just an everyday approach, for being a rookie, the rookie wall is real whether people want to admit it or not, it just happens at different times,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “And sometimes, you can tell a little bit more than others. This dude, it’s like his sixth year in the NFL. Every day is the same for him, he’s constant, he’s a professional, he brings energy, he brings juice, he’s a leader.
“And I told him, I think last week, like, ‘If you want to lead, you got something to say, say it now. Don’t wait. You don’t have to wait until year two, year three. Your actions speak for who you are as a player and as a teammate. So, if you’ve got something to say to the offense, to the team, it’s yours man. And take the keys to it.’ So, that’s what’s been really cool, he doesn’t conduct himself like a normal rookie. And the players really respect him, and obviously his play backs that up.”
The Jets’ lack of production on offense stands out this year when you look at some of the team’s statistics with two games left. Jamison Crowder is the leading receiver, with 50 receptions. If you add up the Jets’ top three receivers — Crowder (50), Elijah Moore (43) and Braxton Berrios (38), you still have one fewer catch (131) than Rams star Cooper Kupp, who has 132 receptions with two games left.
[ad_2]