NEW YORK -- The New York Jets signed third-round draft pick Shonn Greene on Monday to a four-year deal that includes a $905,000 signing bonus.
The bulldozing running back out of Iowa was the first player taken on the second day of the draft after the Jets traded up with Detroit to select him. Greene rushed for a school-record 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, and was selected the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year.
He could provide a goal-line complement to Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, or provide insurance if contract negotiations go awry with either of the other two running backs. Both Jones and Washington held out for parts of voluntary workouts while looking for new deals, but reported to mandatory minicamp last week.
With the signing, the Jets have inked all three of their draft picks, including quarterback Mark Sanchez, the fifth overall pick, and offensive lineman Matt Slauson, a sixth-round selection.
After two years as a backup at Iowa, Greene appeared ready to step into the Hawkeyes' starting lineup in 2007, but was ruled academically ineligible. He worked at a furniture store in Iowa for six months while improving his grades at Kirkwood Community College.
Greene, from Sicklerville, N.J., re-enrolled at Iowa and was sixth on the depth chart at running back last spring. He quickly bulldozed his way into the starting lineup and had one of the best seasons in school history, winning the Doak Walker Award as the country's top running back. Greene capped the season by rushing for three touchdowns in a 31-10 win over South Carolina in the Outback Bowl. Shortly after the victory, Greene announced he was entering the draft.
Also Monday, the Jets signed free agent linebacker Brock Christopher.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
