Jets running back Richie Anderson is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs safety Jerome Woods in a November game. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Nearly one year removed from a Pro Bowl season, Richie Anderson has become almost a forgotten man on the New York Jets.

        The fullback who caught 88 passes to lead all running backs in receptions last year hasn't done much more than block in the new offensive scheme. Granted, his blocking has been a huge contributor to Curtis Martin's strong season, but Anderson has only 29 catches. He's run the ball 21 times.

        Anderson hasn't been able to build on his big year mainly because the version of the West Coast offense brought in by the new coaching staff has concentrated on Martin and wide receiver Laveranues Coles. But Anderson might get more of an opportunity in the stretch as the Jets incorporate some of the spread formations that worked well for them in previous years.

        Especially in 2000.

        “My role is whatever it takes,” Anderson said Wednesday. “I really will do anything, but it's obvious that any player with desire wants to make plays. Whatever we do, I'm going to try to light it up every time.

        “For a West Coast offense, this offense has a lot of nuances, and we've had to get used to doing things differently, whether it was coming along slow or not. But we're getting there.”

        Not quickly enough, though. So the coaching staff, which has seen the Jets score just two touchdowns in their last 25 possessions, is willing to borrow from the past. When you've performed effectively in the equivalent of just three games — at Buffalo, at home against Kansas City, in the second half vs. Miami and the first half vs. New England — something needs to be done.

        So coach Herman Edwards has instructed offensive coordinator Paul Hackett to spread the field more. But with a caveat.

        “That's the line we are walking and it is a fine line,” Edwards said. “I am telling Paul that. We've got to make sure we don't get away from getting the ball to Curtis, because Curtis is our best player and he has to touch the ball so many times. If, all of a sudden it becomes a passing game, that is all right — if you are scoring touchdowns. Not if you are scoring only seven points.”

        That's all the Jets scored in losing in Pittsburgh last Sunday. Anderson had identical statistics, with one catch and one run, gaining three yards on each.

        “If anyone has a right to wonder, it's Richie,” Edwards said earlier this season. “Here's a guy who caught 88 balls last year, went to the Pro Bowl, and he's not getting a sniff some of the time. But he is a team guy first, and he understands the role he's playing.”

        Now, that role may be enhanced. Look for Anderson to be more involved against Cincinnati this week. When the Jets go to an empty backfield, Anderson is more likely than ever to be one of the outside or slot receivers. He also could be seeing the ball on screen passes and dump-offs against the Bengals' aggressive pass rush.

        Not that the nine-year veteran was doing any politicking for a featured role.

        “We've got good players on this team,” he said. “I can only speak for myself, but there are some plays that we may have let slip away. This is football and when you do not make a play, you've got to respond and make the next play.”

        Those plays finally might involve Anderson.

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