If his recovery is less certain then a low tender is one scenario where they could retain his rights but that would still only be for a year and then, once he proves he’s recovered, he’ll still end up getting the $5m or whatever.

fact is, the guy is having a good year. 4.9 YPC is probably inflated because of the last couple of games, but you still have to give credit to where credit is due. he is durable, doesnt fumble, and is a true pro. listen to his post game presser – just an amazing show up support for LW and it is clear this guy is one of our leaders

i am still very hopeful for a full recovery for LW. broken fibulas are not career threatening. in fact, you see many players come back in the same season. i just hope there is no infection or other consequences from the bone through the skin. that being said, TJ is clearing out playing his contract this year – if 2010 ends up uncapped, it would be great to see the FO guarantee TJ for 2010. he would get another payday and be insurance for LW

But, Bent, if the operating CBA next season makes him only an RFA next year, Leon may not have any choice but to accept a $3 mil tender. How many teams will offer him $5 mil or more if doing so forces them to give up a first and third for a former (until proven otherwise) occasional, explosive back.

For all those criticizing MT, he has proven what he does best. He has given us leverage on both of our vet backs where we may get them cheap, with no long term commitment, but with all the aces on our side of the table. TJ would appear to be expensive next year but if Leon does come back, Shonn learns to pass block and continues to develop, given TJ’s age, Tanny may be able to force a less costly deal on him too because how many teams will overpay for a 32 year old RB (hint: ask Shawn Alexander).

Harlan

I’m not sure I understand your Jones comment, but if you are suggesting that they bring forward half of next year’s salary to this year, they don’t have the current cap room to do that.

My view on Jones has always been that if next year is an uncapped year, they’ll keep him at that salary and maybe even extend him with a lower salary for the following years and not much extra guaranteed money. If there is a cap next year, they will negotiate with him and bring him back for whatever they can agree on. If he keeps playing like he did the last two weeks, it will be close to that number anyway and maybe they agree an extension as detailed above. If he plays like he did in the first 5 games, they won’t bring him back at that salary and if he refuses to come down to meet their asking price, they will have little choice but to release him or trade him (which won’t get them much in return due to his age).

No team should overpay for a guy when they have other talented players that are cheaper at the same position, especially when up against the cap. If TJ thinks he’s worth more, then he’ll either get that elsewhere or realize he wasn’t as valuable as he thought.

Now I’ve been thinking about this all night… CBA or not; I’m sure the Jets Front Office is working on a new contract for Thomas Jones going into 2010. With the current money on the back end of TJ’s contract I believe it may be paid to him over the next two years. I’m sorry but with Leon’s injury possibly hampering him next year (by either affecting his explosiveness, his cut ability, or making him favor his leg during games), the Jets would be foolish to let Jones (a team, and offensive leader/playmaker) walk if Leon is unable to play to the degree he was at this season!

He will be missed, especially in the short passing game. Shonn Greene cannot catch. Jones is not great at catching either.

They will miss his explosiveness too….

Keep Greene in perspective, he was playing the Raiders. He will not get the Raiders every week.

Now lets just enjoy the remaining games and get our untested players some experience. Keep our expectations reasonable. Beating the Raiders is not an impressive feat. We have a lot of work to do with few draft picks. Hopefully Clowney, Woodhead, Lowrey, and the rest of the role players prove to be useful pieces going fwd.