Commentary

The Jets got the wrong RB (maybe)

For what they need, T.J. Duckett might be a better fit than LT

Updated: March 16, 2010, 10:53 AM ET

By Bill Barnwell | Football Outsiders

The New York Jets signed LaDainian Tomlinson in the hopes that the future Hall of Famer will provide a veteran presence and change-of-pace to second-year man Shonn Greene. If they're eyeing his gaudy touchdown totals and thinking of him as a potential goal-line back, though, Rex Ryan & Co. should think again.

Despite his 12 rushing touchdowns a year ago -- nine of which came from inside the opposition's 5-yard line -- Tomlinson was actually a below-average back inside the 5 in 2009.

And if they're looking for a consistently successful goal-line back? Well, there's one out there, and he's about as freely available as talent can be.

To analyze this Jets' splash acquisition from all angles, including why T.J. Duckett would be more valuable and why Matt Forte had a historically bad year in 2009, you must be an ESPN Insider.