Hill, McKnight: Sparano offense an opportunity

The two guys with some of the most to gain from the new Tony Sparano-led offense are absolutely on board with his way of doing things, with bulked-up running back Joe McKnight going as far as to say that the new regime is a relief from last year’s overly-complicated schemes.

“With Sparano it’s a different mentality,” said McKnight, who gained 15 pounds in hopes of securing the second back position. “If you can’t stop them, keep running. If we had that last year, I think we could’ve done better.

“We just had too much stuff on offense [last year],” he said. “The defense comes out and it lines up one way and we would change the way we ran the route. This year…we just run the route. We just go out and play football.”

And while McKnight lauded Sparano’s tactics, Stephen Hill, in line for the second wide receiver position, said he liked his fire. “He yells and screams, but I’m used to it,” said Hill. “That’s how they raise us in Atlanta. I definitely respond better when someone is on me.”

But while both players seemed enthusiastic about the rejiggering, the truth is both will have a lot of acclimating to do if they’re to be integral parts of unpredictable offensive schemes that are sure to include a Tim Tebow-led Wildcat, as well as a possible two quarterback situation. The pro-style offense will be a switch-up for Hill, who cut his teeth on Georgia Tech’s triple-option. While the 6-4, speedy rookie has a big learning curve thanks to the Jets lack of depth at receiver, “I’m really just learning a lot of things at once,” he said. “It’s a lot.

“[Santonio Holmes] has definitely been in my ear a lot,” helping in the transition, Hill said. “For him being a short receiver, he has a long stride. He’s showing me how to snap my head around for the quarterback.”

The two compliment each other, size-wise, with the 5-11 Holmes being “a downfield threat and a quick out,” he said. “It would open up the field for both of us.”

McKnight, meanwhile, is intent on proving himself as more than a specialty back after the loss of LaDainian Tomlinson. The weight gain, he added, was a testament to that. “I wanted to prove that I could spread the offense and run between tackles,” he said. He then reiterated his theme: mainly, that the new-look offense is a big chance for him to contribute.

“There were points last year where we didn’t run the ball a lot when we should have…[and] it’s something to work on going into this season,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity for me.”

While McKnight is now up to 216 lbs., he plans to be around 205 to 210 by the first game of the season. The extra bulk, he said, hasn’t slowed him down a whit.

“From what I’m told… I’ve gotten more explosive and more powerful,” he said.

As for his secret weapon?

“A lot of McDonald’s,” he said, beaming. “I eat healthy but the majority of the time, I was being bad…I wasn’t eating all the right stuff like Tim Tebow….I don’t know what he eats, but I’m pretty sure he eats right.”