Buzz: Thomas Jones in Green & White?
Now consider the source **cough cough erroneous!!** but news out of Chicago is that Thomas Jones might make his way to New York (Giants or Jets) in a trade.
Oh really? I don’t doubt that the Bears and Jets/Giants have been in contact about Jones, but I just don’t know that he fits the mold of what the Jets are looking for for a few reasons. Most importantly, consider the characteristics that Washington (5′8″ 202 lbs.) and Jones (5′10″ 220 lbs.) share:
- Outstanding initial quickness,
- A second gear in space.
- Extremely dangerous on the second level.
- Put together moves in the open field to outrun a defense.
- Good pass protection
- Good hands and effectiveness on passes
Are there differences between the two players that I am missing? So why would the Jets give up (likely) a draft pick for a guy that is four years older than Washington, is not as effective in the passing game, has seen his numbers drop in terms of long runs, has commonly shared the load and has a tendency to get banged up?
I think that Washington has much more upside, and I won’t worry about any QB getting killed while he is in the game, though I think he will struggle if left alone without a “hammer” style back. From looking at Football Outsiders the other interesting statistic is Jones’ DVOA ranking. Washington saw roughly half the carries that Jones did in 2006, but was much more effective in his limited carries. Out of the gate, Washington has shown more than Jones did in his first four years in the league. Clearly someone like Thomas Jones would come cheaper than Michael Turner, but at what cost? Just my opinion, but I would rather see the Jets use a high pick on Turner than a single day one pick on Thomas Jones.
With Brandon Jacobs hulking in the backfield, it seems more likely that the Giants make this move. I don’t doubt that Tannenbaum is taking the temperature for the RB market, but on this one, he is dealing from a position of strength. I would be shocked if the Jets make this move, if they do, don’t expect to see them give up much.
I couldn’t agree more. Anyway, Chicago will probably cut Jones, making him a UFA. So, why trade a pick for him? Also, I do not like any of the current UFA RB’s. Ahman Green and Jamal Lewis were good, and may have something left in the tank, but getting either of them is a short term solution. Ron Dayne has been a total enigma, but he’s not quick to the hole (although, he’s very tough at the second-level). Ditto for T.J. Duckett. I like the toughness and surprising speed of Najeh Davenport and LaBrandon Toefield, but they’ve never been able to stay healthy. Chris Brown is an intriguing option. He’s big, with good quickness. But, he runs upright, takes too many good shots and, as a consequence, fumbles too much. Guys like Dominic Rhodes and Marcel Shipp are smallish, like Leon, but I do like Rhodes’ running style. My point is that none of these guys are a long-term solution, the draft is short on RB talent, and there isn’t anyone that IMO is worth the Jets 1st or 2nd round picks (Peterson and Lynch will be long gone…I’d be up for Tony Hunt in the 3rd round, but I don’t think he’ll last that long). I’m for making a serious run at Turner because he is exactly the type of back the Jets should pair with Leon and he’s young. But, anything more than the no. 1 pick would be a lot to give up.
The Jets should draft Tony Hunt in the 2nd round, he is the perfect type of back the Jets are looking for, he runs down hill and is 6-2 220. He was MVP of Senior Bowl and Outback Bowl. We will see how fast he runs in the combine but it looks to me he will be a power back in the NFL.
Actually, he weighed in at 239. However, the Jets don’t exactly have a great history of picking up RBs from PSU…Blair Thomas, anyone?
I remember hearing that the Bears were shopping Jones before the draft and the Colts had serious interest, but the Bears wanted something crazy like a 1st or 2nd round pick for him. The Colts balked at the request and instead drafted Joseph Addai, which worked out pretty well.
I’m definitley down for signing him if he’s cut, but I doubt the Bear would do that if they could get something for him.
This Tony Hunt guy sounds very intriguing, but BENT why did you have to bring up Blair Thomas!! Oh the pan!
It will be interesting to see how Tony Hunt does at the Combine, especiall in the speed and agility drills. My question is whether it’s better to trade the no. 1 pick for Turner (assuming the Chargers would agree) and be free to draft other positions with the two 2nd round picks or take Hunt in the 2nd round and use the 1st and other 2nd round picks for other positions? I’d rather trade for Turner, who is also a power back, has more speed and has a decent body of work in the NFL . Hunt was a good college player, but I’m not sure he has enough speed to succeed in the NFL. Blair Thomas, OUCH!
[...] So I have to admit, when I first saw the news a few hours ago that the Jets traded for Thomas Jones, I wasn’t sure what to think, and for full disclosure, when this rumor sprung up out of Chicago over a month ago, I was dubious about Jones working out for the Jets. My view of Jones is tainted by what I saw from him early in his career, and I have pretty much dismissed him outright based on his time with the Cardinals and Bucs, which is totally unfair. All that being said, here is a Pro/Con on Jones: [...]
[...] interests of full disclosure, I wasn’t thrilled when rumors buzzed originally, mainly because I didn’t see what he brought that might be all [...]