Since the abrupt start of pre-season the Jets ground game has raised some questions.

Is New York a passing team now? Is La Dainian Tomlinson running out of steam? Can Shonn Greene be a legitimate NFL running back?

At first glance, the reasons the “Ground & Pound” has been turned into minute steak seem apparent.

But the key factors that are really hurting the running game, have surprisingly gone under the radar.

They can be attributed to a combination of key departures and some health issues.

Ben Hartsock…Who? Yes! Tight end, Ben Hartsock, the non-pass catching phenom.
At 6-4, 270 pounds, Hartsock was a key blocker in third down and play-action situations.

The loss of Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery.
I know most Jet fans would take the latter of the two if they had to.
But say what you want about Edwards, he’s a solid blocking wide receiver that was a key contributor in some of Shonn Greene’s and LT’s biggest runs last year.

Cotchery played a vital part in holding open lanes that would extend runs and keep drives alive.

The loss of Robert Turner who is out with a broken leg, possibly till
mid-November, is also important.
Turner, a versatile offensive player, was also integral on goal line defense and special teams.

Wayne Hunter has not been used as an extra-tight end this year, where he has been quite effective in the past, at times acting as a pulling guard in sweep formations.

QB Mark Sanchez can attest to missing Hartsock and Hunter, after getting knocked 4 times in the Sunday night opener and running for his life for 29 yards against Jacksonville.

Tony Richardson, perhaps the best blocking full back in the NFL since Lorenzo Neal, was crucial in short yardage/goal line situations….his absence was felt last Sunday as proven by the 3/12 third down conversion rate vs. the Jags.

The week before against Dallas wasn’t any better with an abysmal 45 yards in total runs and 1 rushing first down.

And with off-season hip surgery still affecting him, Brandon Moore is still not 100%.

Bill Callahan and Co. need to head back to the lab and formulate some new blocking schemes, and should start entertaining the notion of getting their younger players involved to plug up some holes.

Maybe Jet fans will discover magic in rookie Bilal Powell, or Joe McKnight may step up and finally shine, who knows?

As these next few road games get harder, New York must quickly find out who can rise to the challenge and make up for the missing pieces that make up it’s most vital component.