Draft Scout Snapshot:DS Rating on 9/1/09: #6 FB, #257/750 Overall, Projected Rd: 7-FA 2008: 13 GP; 11 GS; Rush: 15-47-3.1-0; Rec: 10-91-9.1-0; KR: 1-17-17-0; 1 Sol-1 TT; Started the 11 games when UK opened with a fullback in the lineup. 2007: 13 GP; 4 GS; Rush: 6-37-6.2-2; Rec: 7-37-5.3-2; 2 Sol-2 TT. 2006: 13 GP; 3 GS; Rush: 2-5-2.5-0; Rec: 2-21-10.5-1; A very good lead blocker who split time with Terrell Bankhead and Maurice Grinter at fullback. 2005: Played in the first three games on special teams before sustaining a season-ending injury ... Received medical hardship to retain the year of eligibility.
Post-Draft Outlook:COULD SURPRISE: Fullback John Conner: With so many college teams using the spread offense and its variations, finding traditional fullbacks can be difficult. Conner, who played four years at Kentucky, is a throwback type, who has the size and determination to flatten would-be tacklers as a lead blocker.
A closer look at the Jets' picks: Round 5/139 -- John Conner, FB, 5-11, 240, Kentucky, He is a bruising, traditional type of fullback who can push the pile as a lead blocker. - by The Sports Xchange
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Draft Scout John Conner News
12/24/12 - FB John Conner saw seven snaps in his Bengals debut. He was signed on Dec. 15.
12/15/12 - FB John Conner was signed Saturday after the Bengals worked out three players, including fullback Owen Schmitt, who was released by the Raiders on Monday.
Conner, who was released in October via an injury settlement, said he was shocked to be released by the Jets in October, but was happy about the opportunity to play for the Bengals, who he rooted for. Conner's style does fit with what offensive coordinator Jay Gruden wants in a fullback.
"You want to be a banger up in there, and that's not for everybody. That's a special breed of guy, and the breed is dying," Gruden said. "There's not many fullbacks in college football anymore, there's not many in pro football really. So we have to find one if we want to use one, if not we'll school somebody else to do it or else work on different runs and different personnel groups."
The Bengals use a fullback on only 19.5 percent of their offensive plays, but Conner does bring some added versatility on special teams. Due to his blocking on returns and getting down field on coverage teams, Conner was nicknamed "The Terminator" by Jets head coach Rex Ryan.
10/17/12 - FB John Conner was released with an injury settlement Wednesday. Conner started eight games at fullback last year, but he battled knee and hamstring injuries this year and lost his job to the recently acquired Lex Hilliard. Coach Rex Ryan said Wednesday the Jets hadn't ruled out re-signing Conner at some point and only released him because they needed the roster spot.
10/01/12 - RB John Conner (hamstring) left the game in the second quarter and did not return. Conner missed last week's game against the Dolphins with a knee injury.
09/19/12 - FB John Conner (knee) was held out of practice Wednesday, three days after he aggravated an MCL sprain in his right knee against the Steelers. The injury, which Conner originally suffered against the Bills, will not require surgery, but his availability for the Dolphins game is uncertain.
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High: 5-6 Low: PFA