Jets should give McKnight more touches

It would have been unfathomable to even consider it a year ago today, when Joe McKnight's claim to fame was serving as a punch line. He drew laughs for his vomiting episodes in rookie minicamp.

That's why it may seem almost comical to suggest this idea: Start giving McKnight more carries.

The Jets already have figured out that shuffling their offensive line isn't going to do the trick, as millions learned during Sunday night's pummeling by the Ravens. So it's time they look at an alternative solution if Rex Ryan really wants to re-establish that "Ground and Pound" mentality.

The second-year running back showed some of his oozing potential with his lightning-quick, 107-yard kickoff return in the first quarter against Baltimore, the Jets' longest play ever. McKnight is eager to continue earning the coaches' trust, hopeful they'll give him a crack at lining up more frequently behind Mark Sanchez.

"Yeah, I want to keep doing it," McKnight said. "I want to make more plays so I eventually can get some offensive carries. I'm still being patient. But even though I'm being patient, I've got other ways to make plays and get opportunities."

Look, no one is saying McKnight can be the savior for the Jets' 30th-ranked rushing attack, considering the 5-11, 205-pounder has a paltry 14 yards on six attempts this season, all in the Week 2 blowout of the Jaguars. However, he could be a viable solution if given even a handful of carries.

"When they are ready to put me in there and the time is right, they'll put me in there," McKnight said, "and I'll just have to go in there and try to make plays."

The offensive line is not creating the gaping holes that were so prevalent during Ryan's first two seasons, when he declared it the best in football. McKnight might be that change of pace the Jets sorely need, because he has the speed to slide through those shrinking holes.

McKnight, who is averaging 4.5 yards on 45 career carries, showed he's adept in space and that he can kick it into a much faster gear, in a way that Shonn Greene can't. Maybe the Jets can motion McKnight out of the backfield in three-wide receiver sets with Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason, possibly creating a nightmare scenario if they can get McKnight matched up on a linebacker.

"Well, we gave him that one shot in the backfield, he forced an interception. Is that the backfield you're talking about, the defensive backfield?" Ryan cracked Monday when I asked him about the possibility of more touches for McKnight.

"I don't know. When you look at him, the production he's had -- he returns a kick for a touchdown, forces a fumble on a kickoff, causes an interception -- the kid's a football player.

"I think if we can ever establish the rhythm we want to establish, I think he can do some things offensively for us."

Seriously, though, the Jets hope he also can do some things defensively when called upon. McKnight's pressure, as Ryan indicated, was a key in linebacker David Harris' 35-yard interception return for a touchdown Sunday. McKnight was lined up at cornerback and blitzed from Joe Flacco's right side, forcing him to throw before he wanted to.

"I hope it shows people that I can play this game and that I can play different positions," McKnight said. "But I just want to show the coaches that I can play cornerback. So I think this week, as we keep going, I'm going to get more and more to do."

And from this perspective, that should entail having Sanchez hand off to him more than once.

Many happy returns for Westhoff

Joe McKnight's 107-yard score Sunday night -- the longest play in franchise history -- was the Jets' 15th kickoff return for a touchdown since special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff joined them in 2001. McKnight also became the seventh different player to run back a kickoff for a TD in Westhoff's tenure. Leon Washington (4), Justin Miller (3), Brad Smith (3), Chad Morton (2), Jerricho Cotchery and Jonathan Carter also did it.

Kickoff returns for TDs in the NFL since 2001:

Patriots' place

In the midst of a two-game tailspin, the Jets venture into enemy territory Sunday against the Patriots. It's the Jets' first AFC East game, and a win would tie New England at 3-2 overall.

"It's huge," Rex Ryan said. "We're not going to deny that. This is a team that we have to beat. No offense to Buffalo. Buffalo's playing great. The simple fact is [the Patriots] have won it two years in a row since I've been in this division. We need to knock them off."

Familiar face

Shaun Ellis used to hate the Patriots. Now he's one of them, signing in August after he felt disrespected by the Jets' offer of one year for the veteran's minimum of roughly $910,000. Ellis had 72.5 sacks in 11 seasons as a Jet.

"You're going against your former team, you're going to try and put everything you've got into it,'' Ryan said. "We expect that from Shaun. He's been a great player for a number of years."

Return of Mangold?

All-Pro center Nick Mangold hasn't played the past two games because of a high ankle sprain. Ryan remains hopeful he'll have the leader of the offensive line back against the Patriots.

The Jets were forced to juggle the line against the Ravens, shuffling Matt Slauson from left guard to center and using Vladimir Ducasse at left guard for three series to let center Colin Baxter clear his head.

"Will he practice Wednesday? He'd probably be limited," Ryan said of Mangold. "They worked him pretty good before the game and he had no issues, so he's getting better."