Mike Goodson's experience with unrestricted free agency didn't last long.
Narrowing his list of suitors to Cincinnati and the Jets, Goodson said his final decision was a rather simple one.
"I took a visit to Cincinnati first and I had a nice visit," the 6'0" 210-pound running back said. "But when I got to the Jets, man, it was just a good fit. It felt like home. I had a great meeting with Rex [head coach Rex Ryan] and the guys up there. It was just a great fit."
With Shonn Greene exiting to join Tennessee as a UFA last Wednesday, Goodson signed with the Green & White on Friday. The 25-year-old is a multidimensional back and is thrilled about playing in offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's West Coast offense.
"I definitely think it highlights the things that I do well in my game," Goodson said, "catching the ball out of the backfield, being able to isolate some linebackers, run some routes and also run the ball up between the tackles. So I think it's going to be good."
Goodson entered the NFL in 2009 as a fourth-round draft selection out of Texas A&M by Carolina. He spent the first three years of his professional career with the Panthers before being traded to Oakland before last season. His best pro season was 2010 when he rushed for 452 yards and three touchdowns.
That year he started three games. In the first two starts, he produced back-to-back 100-yards-plus rushing games (100 yards at Tampa Bay and 120 yards the following week against Baltimore) while in the other, he had 136 yards from scrimmage, recording 81 yards receiving on eight catches at Cleveland.
Besides that stretch, Goodson hadn't seemed to get the opportunity to showcase his talent.
"You can say a lot of different things," he said of his limited roles, "but I've been fortunate enough to play with a lot of good backs on the teams that I've been on and most of them are big-money guys — Darren McFadden, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart. So at the same time, learning from those guys, I also had to play behind them, so it was tough. But I think it's put me at a position now where I can come in and be able to make those types of plays, and be that guy or that running back, that every-down guy."
Goodson said it's yet to be determined what type of role he will have in the Jets offense, but he's encouraged with the backs already on the team's roster.
"We've got some great backs here," he said. "I know [Joe] McKnight is here, Bilal Powell. So just competition and whoever comes out, man, I think it's going to be good."
Born in Irvington, N.J., Goodson will wear jersey No. 23, vacated by Greene, and is confident his new squad will surprise people this season.
"I can't wait to run and play in this offense," Goodson said. "Just the direction I think the team is going, it's exciting."
