Dan Pompei

The rocks on which the Jets offense should be built are Thomas Jones, Shonn Greene and Leon Washington.

After all, it is probable that wet-behind-the-ears Mark Sanchez will the starting quarterback, if not sooner than certainly later. And the current group of pass catchers inspires trepidation not in opposing defensive backs, but in middle aged men wearing painted green bellies and striped hard hats.

So if the Jets’ offense is going to be able to keep this team in contention in what could be the NFL’s toughest division, the Jets are going to have to run and run and run and run.

The problem is that none of the backs are a sure thing.

Jones is a warrior of a football player who would be an asset to any team. The late bloomer led the AFC in rushing yards last year, started in the Pro Bowl and scored 15 touchdowns in what was his best season.

The problem is now he wants to be rewarded. And most teams are not in the habit of renegotiating contracts for running backs who soon will be 31-years old.

Over the last two years, Jones has made $13.1 million from the Jets, not exactly chump change. But this year, the contract he signed in 2007 after being traded from the Bears calls for him to make only $900,000. And it also calls for a $3 million roster bonus next March, which could make Jones a convenient candidate to be cut.

As a result, Jones has been pining for a renegotiated contract, and boycotting many of the team’s offseason workouts.

So between where he is physically and where he is mentally, Jones probably will come to camp with some questions hanging over him. Assuming he comes to camp at all.

Special feature Tracking 20 key NFL moves Rosenthal: Gonzalez’s trade to Atlanta just one notable offseason move. We note the others. NBCSports.com

If Greene could duplicate his 2008 season, the Jets wouldn’t have to worry about Jones. At Iowa, Greene won the Doak Walker Award as college football's best running back. He ran for 1,850 yards and averaged six yards per carry.

But there were reasons Greene dropped to the third round of the draft. He had only one year of solid production in college. He was academically ineligible for the 2007 season. And there are concerns about his long speed and pass catching ability.

Those concerns could prove ill founded over time, but the Jets need to be cautious with their expectations for him in 2009 because he is a rookie with limited playing experience.

Washington is the ideal change of pace back. He is a gifted receiver out of the backfield and a Pro Bowl return man. Washington is valued in part because he contributes in so many ways.

Washington is entering the final year of a deal that calls for him to earn $535,000 this season. Of course he is worth more than that, and the Jets have tried to extend his contract. But Washington hasn’t liked the offers, so he has stayed away from offseason activities as well.

Even if the contract issues of Washington and Jones are not resolved, chances are both will show up to work when camp opens ready to work and eager to prove their worth. But in the event that either of them allow their unhappiness to affect their work, the Jets at least have depth at the position.

It would be nice to have all three backs firing on all cylinders, but if that does not happen, the Jets still can have a solid running game. And it says here they will have a solid running game.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Wildcat’s N.E. return just one Week 9 storyline PFT’s Picks: Saints, Eagles, Colts primed for key wins Eagles, Cowboys playing for first in NFC East PFT: Jerry Rice is a huge DeSean Jackson fan PFT: Browns seeking a ‘football czar’ PFT: Texans to start Moats at RB, not Slaton Fox’s NFL pregame show going to Afghanistan PFT: Underclassmen at NFL draft crossroads PFT: Broncos sign Ty Law to $200,000 signing bonus PFT: NFL wanted Chiefs to fine L.J. only $10K for slur NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: