Joe McKnight doesn't want to play defense and he's letting the world know about it.
The Jets' former running back was moved to cornerback on Wednesday following Darrelle Revis' season ending ACL injury and according to ESPN New York, he wasn't happy about it.
McKnight voiced his complaints about the move to the media.
"I was drafted as a running back," McKnight said. "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."
McKnight was lined up at his new position during practice on Wednesday and had three interceptions — one off each of the Jets' quarterbacks. Given the Jets' passers' well-known accuracy issues, we're not sure if that's an impressive feat or just the norm for a Jets defensive back.
McKnight last played cornerback in high school. Bruce Feldman from CBS Sports tweeted that at least one USC coach thought that was his better position.
Joe McKnight getting reps at CB. Years ago Ken Norton Jr said if he comes to USC as CB, he'd be there 3 yrs & come out as a #1 pick.
— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) September 26, 2012
McKnight made it clear that he didn't think that the experience in high school was useful.
"That does not help at all," McKnight said. "It's been a while since I
played cornerback, maybe if I'd played cornerback in college four years.
Me playing cornerback in high school does not help right now."
Rex Ryan said that McKnight will still be getting occasional snaps on offense, but that he'll be attending defensive meetings from now on.
Seth Walder from New York Daily News tweeted that McKnight specified that he'll be playing man coverage on the outside. That likely means that Kyle Wilson will be sliding to the slot when McKnight comes in at cornerback.
Do you remember Julian Edelman complaining when he was moved to cornerback last season? What about Troy Brown when he was asked to move to defense in 2004? Of course you don't, both players were following the 'Patriots Way.'
The Jets' players don't subscribe to such unselfish methods.
Photo via Flickr/kowarski
