New York Jets running back Joe McKnight not happy playing at cornerback – NFL News
Despite accepting his new role, New York Jets running back Joe McKnight is not very pleased with the team’s decision of converting him into a cornerback. He practised with the defence for the first time on Wednesday, September 26, 2012.
McKnight will play at secondary as Jets have become very thin at cornerback after a season-ending injury to their star cornerback Darrelle Revis during their Week 3 game against Miami Dolphins.
Jets head coach Rex Ryan clarified McKnight’s position on the roster during a news conference after the afternoon practice session on Wednesday. Ryan said:
"He'll have a role on offence but we're teaching him how to play corner in an almost, not quite a full-time capacity. But he's going to be over there a ton, in the meetings and everything else."
Playing as a running back, McKnight has carried the ball three times for 14 yards this season. Ryan has explained that McKnight will play some part in the offensive side of the game.
However, McKnight will attend the defensive team meetings permanently. Expressing his displeasure, McKnight said:
"I was drafted as a running back. The way I took it as I wasn't good enough to play running back; that's what I took it as. I don't know if that's the case or not."
While practising, McKnight looked impressive in his new role. He got three interceptions, all against different quarterbacks.
McKnight has previously played at cornerback at high school. He also played at the position for Jets against some scout team, but he believes that it will not benefit him in playing at the league level. McKnight said:
"That does not help at all. It's been a while since I played cornerback. Me playing cornerback in high school does not help right now."
With McKnight shifting to the defensive team, running back Bilal Powell will move up on the roster. McKnight was drafted by Jets in the fourth round (112th overall pick) of the 2010 draft.
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