Jets RB Zac Stacy impresses in bid to land job

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Updated: September 5, 2015

Seth Wenig/AP

Zac Stacy makes strong run to beat out Daryl Richardson, earning praise of coach Todd Bowles.

When you’re in a position battle, it’s never a bad thing to garner the nickname “Mr. Consistency” from your head coach. That’s exactly what running back Zac Stacy has done this preseason.

Stacy, whom the Jets acquired via trade from the Rams in May, caught a touchdown pass for the second straight game in Thursday night’s 24-18 win over the Eagles. He added 68 yards on the ground to finish the preseason with 154 rushing yards and a 3.5 yards-per-carry average.

With Stevan Ridley still rehabbing from the knee injury he suffered last season, Stacy appears likely to claim a spot on the Jets’ final 53-man roster as the No. 3 running back, with final cuts due Saturday by 4 p.m.

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“Zac’s been consistent. Zac’s been very consistent,” Todd Bowles said. “He’s tough. We knew he was tough with the blocking. He can catch the ball. He can run the ball. He’s been doing a great job every week. He’s been Mr. Consistency.”

Stacy, who is battling for his spot with Daryl Richardson, carried the ball just three times in a preseason-opening loss to the Lions. The following week against the Falcons, he ran for 17 yards on eight carries to go along with four catches for 25 yards. But Stacy then broke out in the Snoopy Bowl against the Giants, showcasing an ability to catch balls out of the backfield with a preseason-defining play. He collected a screen pass and scampered 24 yards for a touchdown, leaping over Giants safety Brandon Meriweather near the pylon to break a 7-7 tie. Stacy also ran for 60 yards on 13 carries in the victory.

Mr. Consistency showed similar aptitude early in the second quarter Thursday night, catching an inside screen pass on third-and-goal from the 5 before knifing his way through contact for a touchdown. Later in the period, he carried another short pass 25 yards down the sideline, eventually setting up a 42-yard field goal from Nick Folk.

“This game was very important to a lot of guys, including myself,” Stacy said after the win over the Eagles. “I didn’t really want to add any pressure, per se, but at the end of the day, just wanted to go out and perform and make an impression.”

Wide receiver Chris Owusu was another Jet on the roster-bubble trying to wow coaches Thursday night — and he made a similarly strong claim.

Owusu, who missed time during training camp with a concussion, started the game out wide and was a favorite target of quarterback Matt Flynn. Owusu capped off the Jets’ opening drive with an 18-yard touchdown grab and went on to catch five passes on six targets for 72 yards.

“I have hope,” Owusu said of his chances to make the team. “I’m excited for what happens next.”

Stacy, meanwhile, hopes his consistency speaks for itself.

“I just left it out on the field,” Stacy said. “I just tried to play productive, tried to play consistent.”

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