Thoughts: Thomas Jones for Deion Branch?
Our friend Mike Lombardi at the National Football Post surmises that due to Jones’ continued holdout and the Seahawks sudden surplus of wideouts (really, in Seattle, a surplus of wideouts? Are they forgetting the last two years?), a trade of the Jets’ disgruntled halfback to the Northwest for former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch would be an boon for both squads.
Trading for Thomas Jones would give the Seahawks another runner to share time with his brother and beef up the running game. The current Jets roster desperately needs a wide receiver to replace the departed Laveranues Coles. The Seahawks — depending on the health of some players and the talent level of the younger wideouts, notably third-round pick Deon Butler — may have an extra wideout. For example, Deion Branch might be expendable after Seattle’s receivers last year failed to make plays, partly because of health and partly because they finished 30th in the NFL in dropped passes. If healthy, Branch would give the Jets a veteran receiver capable of helping a rookie quarterback. Both teams might benefit from this trade.
Okay, I see where Lombardi was coming from here and I respect his clipbook. It’s the middle of the offseason. There’s not much else to do but guesstimate and speculate potential deals. But, let’s be honest. Deion Branch is the best the Jets can do for Thomas Jones? Branch is barely 5-9, with no vertical leap and at almost-30 losing his speed by the day. While Jone sis on the wrong side of 30, he’s a RB with much less tread on his tires. And even if that weren’t the case, there’s absolutely no reason for the Jets to add Branch. He can’t stay healthy and doesn’t really solve any of their problems at wideout. He would take snaps away from Chansi Stuckey who is healthier, younger, and is a better overall option at this point. Even the Seahawks beat writer dismissed the idea — and they would most likely make out in the deal. I mean after all, their RBs are Thomas’ younger brother Julius and T.J. Duckett. No thanks, Mike.
28 Responses to Thoughts: Thomas Jones for Deion Branch?
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kc. says:
Deion Branch for Thomas Jones is NOT a fair trade for the JETS.
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Green Latern #80 says:
Sorry about that over exaggeration but how did it go from TJ For Braylon to TJ or Deion Branch.
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Organized Chaos says:
I saw this yesterday. I don’t see this happening at all. If in fact TJ goes on the trade market (which I’m not sold he’s on) look for Mangini and the Browns to make a call. They drafted 2 WR in the second round, don’t have a very good running back situation, and have a disgruntled WR. Oh, not to mention a surprisingly “friendly” relationship (See actions April 25)
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MattNYC says:
I think we may be overestimating the value of a running back on the wrong side of 30 who would be looking for a new contract with his new team… Not saying Branch is fair value, but can we really see a team giving TJ a new 4 year deal?
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Doug says:
Agreed with Matt…
TJ is great and he’s got a little more value after last season but I have trouble believing that he’s the first choice for ANY team in the league. A top tier WR for TJ would not happen IMO and I think we’d need to sweeten the deal a little bit to make it work. I wouldn’t be opposed to trading TJ for draft picks next year either, we have had some very small draft classes in recent years.
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Joe says:
You are grossly overvaluing Thomas Jones. As a Jets fan, this would be a stupid trade for the Seahawks.
If I am the Seahawks, I ask for a 3rd round pick in addition to Jones for Branch. Reason being?
Jones is a 31 year old runningback this year, has one great season behind a run-blocking offensive line and will require a new contract which is something every team shies away from when looking at a runningback of that age.
Jones will not be a Jet beyond this season anyway. Might as well grab a wide receiver for him while his value is high and he is still tradable.
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Brett Justin says:
i dont like this deal at all i hope this is a smoke screen for braylon edwards and to get mangini on his horse…. atleast thats what im hoping, tj can still play branch is no where near as talented as jones
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Prez says:
While Branch is good, a player that actually can get on the field is always better. If the Jets trade tj for branch, i’ll become a Giant fan! jk! Very bad trade idea.
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dave b says:
All I’ll say:
YIKES! I really hope not.
(Unless we get some primo picks from the Hawks)
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Jimbo says:
This would never happen due to that fact that you never trade a wrong-side-of-30 RB for a starting WR. And honestly, I wouldn’t be excited at all about Deion Branch – thought he was overrated when we went through the charade of offering him that huge contract just to piss off the Pats, like him even less after tons of injuries.
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roof says:
tj for branch is a joke, thomas was one of the best rb’s in the nfl last year (statistically speaking), branch is always hurt and HAS YET TO RECORD A 1000 YARD RECIEVING SEASON IN HIS CAREER!
we still need tj, shonne greene is still unproven and we don’t know if leon can handle the entire load, so giving him away for a wide receiver would leave our rb corps perilously thin and unproven (sorry danny woodhead).
i recommend atleast partially guaranteeing his contract next year to assuage his fears of being cut, but not giving him a raise from his current 6 figure salary this year. all the while greene learn from tj and prepare to be the starting back in 2011. he wouldnt have a ton of mileage on him and this could also keep his value down for his next contract (im unsure how long the deals 3rd rounders usually get, im not well versed in capology).
we have a rookie qb, we need to protect him with a ground game. if jones goes down(earlier in his career he broke his hand answering a telephone), greene is our replacement. if jones were gone, we wouldnt have the proven running game to protect franchez, which could stunt his growth and permanently damage him. a slight upgrade at receiver isnt worth risking him.
i appreciate how bassett broke down the beautiful symphony of managing the nfl cap into the future, i just feel guaranteeing part or all of jones 6 mil next year would be an investment in franchez and to a lesser extent, greene, who can be eased into into being our starter in ’11.
viva Franchez, viva Cheddar Plax
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rich says:
lombardi made a more realistic suggestion earlier in this article that was us going for daniel graham, not sure if that trade would have to include TJ specialy after denver drafted moreno and signed four or five backups RBs, but we do need a blocking tight end
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The Jets did have interest in Branch a few years ago, but he has been nothing but injured since then and Mangini, who was the guy who really wanted him, is gone. My guess is thats why Lombardi threw out that idea.
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Reprocity says:
At one point Branch was one of the top 5 highest paid WR in the NFL. He’d battle for the #3 spot at best here…. :(
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Brandon "You're With Me"riweather says:
Hey may not be of the caliber of anquan boldin, but deion branch would be a fine addition to the jets – and to be perfectly honest, not such bad compensation for an old RB
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jetsfaninmiami says:
simply put….no
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Chris CR says:
As a seahawk Costa Rican fan, i like both jones brothers together in seattle. Branch is always hurt, so its not a good idea for seattle keep him in the roster, and worst idea for the jets…
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LWSquad says:
That’s just someone with an agenda trying to lower TJ’s trade value.
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FedorSeahawkFan says:
First of all Runningbacks go down the drain a lot faster then rcvrs. After hitting thirty runners are usually done. If Branch can finally stay healthy he is a dangerous reciever. Member Bobby Engram like 34 years old and had 90 catches for seattle. Branch is a great route runner and like i said if he can just stay healthy he is still a dangerous reciever who is only turning 30. look at hines ward he is ancient and slow but produces catches because he runs routes well and has good hands.
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Norcal Jet Fan says:
Why would the Jets make this trade? Give me a break.
Have a little patients with th TJ situation. He is under contract for $900k for next year. A deal really. If a trade is going to happen, it won’t happen until a training camp injury causes a team to have a real need. Otherwise the Jets will keep him.
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StvDoe says:
Deion Branch?
Really?
I’d sooner cut TJ and get nothing!
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Noooo. I would like to see TJ traded to Cle. for Edwards. With the right people around him, this guy is going to be a super stud. Also for the Jets to trade for M. Bush of Oak. He is a younger, stronger and has speed for a power back with good hands.
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GoalieTJ1 says:
TJ for Edwards or Draft picks….Those are the only two options for making a trade on TJ;
Besides that let him sit and stay unemployed because he is holding out. For that matter let Leon sit and stay unemployed.
I am ready to play with just Shonn as long as he signs
Anyone else feel that these athletes are squabbling over millions of dollars. What would you do with just 1 million dollars??????
I am ready to sheer for players whom are happy and want to be on the field. Those are the players that will hear my noise
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Stu says:
An over-thirty RB has no value. Branch could still do well, if he stays healthy. TJ has been good, no doubt, but he’s over-thirty, that’s the only issue. If the Hawks trade for him, I’ll be very upset.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO