"Last season for the Jets, running back LaDainian Tomlinson had 219 carries for 914 yards, and started 13 games. This year, he doesn't want those numbers to be so high.

"I would really love to just come out of the backfield and run routes," Tomlinson said today after a practice at Jets West, the week-long camp organized and run by quarterback Mark Sanchez. "I don't want to carry the ball as many times as I did last year. Hopefully that role goes to Shonn Greene and some of those younger guys, where I can really create match-up problems out of the backfield."

Coach Rex Ryan said after the draft that third-year running back Shonn Greene is ready to be the "bell cow," i.e. the lead ballcarrier. Tomlinson understands and embraces a more specialized role this season, something he is well-suited for, as he caught 52 passes for 368 yards last season. The future Hall of Famer was a welcome check-down option for Sanchez and somewhat of a security blanket for the offense.

"I would love to be the best third-down back in the league," said Tomlinson, one of 14 Jets players in attendance. "I have been the best running back in the league before; now, at the end of my career, I would love to be the best third-down back."

Last year, Greene was intended to be the primary ball-carrier, but Tomlinson got off to a hot start, averaging more than 5 yards per carry through the first six games before the bye week.

Looking back, Tomlinson admitted that performance was unexpected, adding, "it was called on me to do it, so I did it, but I didn't need to have that, if you know what I mean?" This season, he is anticipating being a role-player."