Thomas Jones was released by the New York Jets today. I know that the release comes with reason: partly due to the emergence of Shonn Greene, partly to Jones' age, and partly to a roster bonus which he was due. However, as another team discards the services of Thomas Jones, I feel like he needs a little bit of love. I could sit here and talk about Thomas Jones, but I don't see how it could be more effective than this:
YEAR TEAM G ATT YDS AVG LNG TD FD FUM LOST
2004 CHI 14 240 948 4.0 54 7 49 2 1
2005 CHI 15 314 1335 4.3 42 9 61 2 2
2006 CHI 16 296 1210 4.1 30 6 61 1 1
2007 NYJ 16 310 1119 3.6 36 1 55 2 0
2008 NYJ 16 290 1312 4.5 59 13 63 2 1
2009 NYJ 16 331 1402 4.2 71 14 64 2 0
(stats provided by espn.com)
Those are the years where Thomas Jones has received the amount of carries commensurate with a lead back in the National Football League. For someone who rarely ever gets mentioned among top backs in the NFL, they are certainly some numbers. Jones is not a flashy runner. He doesn't have tremendous size or speed, doesn't create many highlight broken tackles or long runs, but simply succeeds. He isn't the kind of back that takes nothing and turns it into something big. But, he does two things that every coach wishes of his back. He takes blown up, negative plays and turns them into no-gains, AND he locates a seam and exploits it. He doesn't need a hole, he just needs a slit of daylight and he makes it a strong positive gain. These kinds of things are regularly dismissed as ordinary, but many NFL backs don't have this consistent ability. Somehow Jones still doesn't get the love. The Bolt wanted to give him a little love. Hopefully, another NFL franchise will follow suit.
For ideas where Jones [referred to as ToJo] (and a couple others) might end up see this episode of Everyday Sports with Pierre Escargot:
TOM: who do you think picks up ToJo?
me: not sure yet
so many teams could use him
maybe Houston
TOM: that was one of my thoughts
lions
ME: yeah
it's tough
cause it needs to be a team that can win now
cause ToJo doesn't have many years left
but i don't think a team like SD
who just ditched an old back
would jump at a ToJo
thus
Houston
TOM: yeah
maybe the pats?
ME: maybe
TOM: theyre not fans of [RB Lawrence] maroney
ME: right
but they have like 3 or 4 other guys
so i don't know if they'd pay jones
i think jones will still want good money
and he deserves it
TOM: true
ME: i've heard them mentioned though
i think a lot of teams would jump at him if he'd be a #2
but certainly not what HE's looking for
TOM: word
ME: anybody else?
TOM: browns
cards
those are the ones that i can think of off the top of my head
TOM: browns make some sense
i don't know how they are feeling on [RB Jerome] harrison and [RB Chris] jennings
TOM: yeah
harrison had that great game
ME: yeah
and jennings seemed capable in reserve
their interests might be better served elsewhere
T[errel] O[wens]?
TOM: hmm
thats interesting
although given their qb situation
he may start bitchin about not getting the ball
ME: certainly
it's just a fun idea
i don't know what it is they actually need
although
[Titan's Unrestricted Free Agent Center] Kevin Mawae comes glaringly into mind
i bet he could do wonders for that squadron
TOM: true
with him and [OT Joe] thomas that could be potent line
ME: yeah
TOM: but they did just draft a center last year
ME: oh
did they draft Alex Mack?
TOM: yeah i believe
ME: well he can turn into slime
if necessary
so i guess that's useful
TOM: word
and id imagine that he could switch to guard
or if he wont
kevin mawae will make him
me: right
did he start this year?
TOM: i think so
not sure though
ME: if he didn't it'd be easier
but even if
so you move him to guard for 2 years
Mawae retires
and he still has 13 years to play center
TOM: yeah
and i mean if i were in that position id want to learn from kevin mawae for two years
ME: no doubt
TOM: cause its not like the browns have good guards
ME: no they don't
but if this mack guy can block
and you put him between mawae and thomas
then that side is top notch
TOM: yeah man
ME: alright i gotta burn
i'll probably blog this chat
TOM: word
Expect more to come on this as we take a look at all the major available free agents and where they might fit best.
-APT
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