How Much Tread is Left on Jones Tires?
The AP reports that Thomas Jones feels like he’s ready to run for a long, long time to come … which based on last week’s game, could be great news.
Thomas Jones has no plans to call it a career anytime soon.
The 31-year-old New York Jets running back believes he’s still in his prime, and it’s hard to argue with the guy. The Buffalo Bills certainly wouldn’t, not after he ran for a franchise-record 210 yards against them last Sunday.
“I can play another four or five years if I want to, God willing, if I stay healthy,” Jones said Friday before the Jets left for their next game at Oakland.
One look at his chiseled frame is all it takes to know Jones is serious about being in shape.
“It’s like, ‘Are you kidding me?”‘ coach Rex Ryan said. “It almost looks like he’s upside down. The size of those arms, they should be on the legs.”
The thing is, Jones is at an age — the 30-and-up rule — when many NFL running backs start to slow down and, in some cases, break down.
Jones seemed to have trouble running in the earlier part of the season, but to me it looks like the OL is coming around after an out of synch summer with a number of injuries. Still, beating up on the Bills and the Raiders is hardly going against the Baltimore run defense. Still, I think that things are gelling more at this point and that the Jets should be better running the football from here on out running the football than they were the first month of the season.
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bent or basset
wrote a little comment on newyorkjets.com to get those fans over there to write something to leon too but i dont think my comment made it past the screening process you guys have problems with the guys over there???
Jets re-sign Justin Miller to return kicks
I think if TJ goes to goes to another pro bowl this year, he got himself a spot next year with the Jets, because of the insecurity of LW’s leg, so he will most likely be kept as insurance policy
It all depends on what Shonn Greene shows us. If he starts taking more and more carries from Jones, then he’ll be the guy next season.
Brendan, its not the guy, its the 2 or 3 guys. RB is no longer a one pony position
Jones is similar to Tiki Barber in the sense that both players didn’t get major carries early in their careers which could lead to longer productive careers. If Jones make another pro bowl, what makes anyone think the Jets could re-sign him without giving him a hefty contract? He already wanted more money before this season, if he has another big year hes going to want even more. I would love him back, but I dont think we can afford him.
Brain:
The Jets OL intact now have thirty (30) games playing together. Thank God because Tannenbaum would’ve broken that up releasing Moore back in pre-season !!!
TJ and the OL are THE best We’ve got and I think we’ll go as far as they can take us !!
To all that were begging to trade TJ just a few weeks ago, tell me again what is it that you guys wanted ?
TANNENBAUM, HONOR HIS CONTRACT !!!!
For the restof you, CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR !!!!
Brian;
Apology extended, not meant to mispell your name
JesusRevis
Actually Jones and Tiki are not similar, Jones was drafted 7th overall, Tiki was drafted in 3rd round, TJ had a lot of chances to touch the ball he just couldn’t get ti done, unlike Tiki who never got a chance until later in his career
Crazy Eddie,
I never said it was, but there is always a #1 RB and a #2 RB. Greene is poised to take over Jones spot as the #1 RB and primary workhourse. That would make him “the guy” in my opinion.
Hank,
If Greene is ready and able to Jones job (and from the looks of last week, he may be very close to doing that) than it only makes sense to work on Jones’ contract. Jones would have no leverage, his replacement is waiting for his shot and that multi-million dollar bonus he’s due would realllly help extend Braylon and/or Leon.
Hank,
You gave the Jets running game no chance against Oakland because you said they would stack the box against Sanchez. Now youre praising the O-Line?
You told me I was nuts for suggesting the Jets should run it 50+ times, well, they ran it over 50, so whose nuts? For someone who loves to call other people out for being wrong, and loves to point out when they are right, it would be nice to see you admit you were wrong.
“Thank God because Tannenbaum would’ve broken that up releasing Moore back in pre-season !!!”
What was the purpose of that statement? Tannenbaum didnt break up the O-Line because he re-signed Moore, so whats your point?
nyckage,
That really has nothing to do with my point, which is that neither player assumed major carries early in their careers. Their draft position is irrelevant.
So in that aspect, yes, they are very similar.
just keep it going through january…..
thanks to the cream & the clear.
It is good that they retained Moore, but if the Jets had landed Kemoeatu as originally looked possible, not one of us would be missing him. Kemoeatu is having an awesome season. That would have been an amazing pick up, especially since he could have replaced Faneca down the line (and probably outperformed him).
The situation has never changed from the time Rosenhaus negotiated this contract, which is abnormally structured for the Jets. He was always going to have to prove he was worth the money in that final year. If there’s no cap, they will almost certainly retain him. If there is a cap, they’ll look to extend him, unless he shows signs of wearing down (note: he did wear down, statistically at least, at the end of last year).
They have no obligation to overpay him and would be insane to do so if there’s a cap in place. They’ll offer him what they think he’s worth (which might even be similar to the final year in his contract) and if he thinks he’s worth more then they will move on without him and so would most other NFL teams in the same situations, apart from the ones who are always in cap hell because they overpay guys all the time.
The NFL has plenty of contracts with big cap numbers in the final year that don’t get paid.
OK, let’s walk through this one again. Cue up some contextual music, please…
Until further visible evidence emerges, let’s all stay away from the “TJ is too old” punchbowl.
1) The OL had a shaky camp, with a slew of nagging injuries keeping them from getting much work as a unit.
2) No surprise, it took them a few games to begin to gel again — despite having played 16 games together before this year.
3) Faneca, especially, was beaten numerous times in the first couple of games. You knew that wasn’t going to continue for long.
4) The first four teams we were scheduled to play had top-10 run defenses coming into the season, and were the keys to their Ds’ continued success.
5) Those Ds listened carefully when Rex announced to the world that this was going to be a “ground and pound” New York Jets offense. Houston, NE, TN and NO all said, “Cool. Go ahead,” and each proceeded to put half the roster in the box and say, “Go for it, dude.”
6) NFL teams read in the papers that the Jets had a rookie QB with only a few hours of collegiate experience, and that the Jets had just named him their starter. Hence, NY’s emphasis on “ground and pound,” with the kid QB as game manager. The saliva fairly began to run down the league’s chin. They put even their training staffs and ballboys into the box, and said, “OK, rook, go for it; you try to beat us, ’cause your running game’s going nowhere.”
7) Even being out of synch, the OL held up against fierce, stout and prepared running Ds. To his credit, Shotty held to his guns and forced the run up in there, mostly w/TJ, often to no avail. But, in two games, at least, the pounding of the first three quarters paid off with breakthrough runs in the second half.
8) Now, as the OL has weathered those tests and has fully gelled, and because the schedule maker has been much kinder to NYJ Nation in October than he was in September, we see the running attack (i.e., primarily, the Ancient Mariner) exploding with big games against shoddy run Ds — just what this running attack needed at the time.
9) We also see this old, decrepit man, who kept banging his aging head against the backs of his OL as they kept getting stood up in the early going, now sitting in fourth place in the NFL rushing race after a scant 7 games, and second in the AFC (which I seem to recall he won last year) behind Cinn.’s Cedric Benson, who is the man who pushed TJ out of Chicago. Think TJ would have a little extra fuel for THAT race? Think Chicago wouldn’t like to have EITHER of those guys back again at this point?
When TJ begins to show some obvious signs of wear and tear, I think we’ll all be able to see it clearly. That simply hasn’t been the case so far. Despite what ESPN or FOX shows you, to fill air space and boost ratings.
JesusRevis –
I agree with your post and does Hank ever have a point? (that makes sense I mean)
“Faneca, especially, was beaten numerous times in the first couple of games. You knew that wasn’t going to continue for long.”
I’m not sure I did know that. I was pretty worried he was finished to be honest, he was that underwhelming. He’s doing a lot better over the last few games, although still nowhere near as dominant as he once was.
On the flipside, that is great news for their chances if he can perform at full capacity from now on. Brick’s run blocking has exceeded expectations this year, so the running game could potentially be better than last year’s by the end of the season.
Mike – In case you missed it, I responded to your wedge comment in the other thread.
Yeah, I’m with Bent in that I was worried Faneca was finally too old.
And Mike,
Your points 5 & 6 say the same thing. And you can’t honestly say Jones is hitting holes as hard as he had the past 2 seasons. Once the line plays great, he gets big runs (because they’re opening holes the size of Rex Ryan). Once the line plays poorly, Jones doesn’t break any runs and has to pound out 3 yards a run.
Do I think Shonn Greene is a better sledgehammer for this offense? I sure do. But Jones is a wiley veteran and can pass block/catch and has experience and leadership on his side.
In the preseason I was adamant that the Jets not change or renegotiate TJ’s contract this season, but rather see how he’d do this season then decide about next year. So far, he’s done an admirable job.
He’s due, if I’m not mistaken, 5 million in the final year of his deal. If there’s no cap we could just pay him, (assuming he continues to perform this year). But I think even without a cap this would be a mistake.
The sensible thing would be to renegotiate a deal for 2 or 3 years paying him no more than 2-2.5 million per year. There’s no way another team would offer a 31 year old RB even this much money, so why should we offer more?
Don’t misunderstand me, I think he could very well continue to perform at a very high level in the NFL. But since the “prevailing wisdom” would be that he can’t, I’d have the front office take advantage of that perception.
Bent,
IMO, Faneca’s run-blocking is still as good as ever and he’s still great at pulling. But, he was getting beaten on the pass rush. I do not think he is playing at a Pro Bowl level, but another 300 yards rushing and put the whole Jets OL in the Pro Bowl.
“bent or basset
wrote a little comment on newyorkjets.com to get those fans over there to write something to leon too but i dont think my comment made it past the screening process you guys have problems with the guys over there???”
No, but they may have a spam filter like ours that doesn’t like links or some website addresses. If you write “The Jets Blog” instead of the website address, people will find us, because the Leon post will be stickied.
Thanks for spreading the word – Keep doing it. I am thrilled to see the comments pour in and even more thrilled to not see anybody being negative or attempting to spoil the thread, because I will be aiming to keep it as clean as possible!
The guy is one of the top RBs in the league and just because the National media doesnt mention him much doesnt mean its not true. The guy gets it done every sunday, Im glad hes on my team. Hes clearly in better physical shape than the other RBs his age (shaun alexander etc.) and it didnt hurt he wasnt a primary back the first few years of his career so he has some extra tread the other guys his age didnt. I think with the injury to leon it should now be a lock he returns next year.
If the Jets offer Jones a contract similar to what he’s making now, he will sign with another team willing to pay more. I’m not saying the Jets should pay him, i’m just saying I cant imagine him not drawing any interest as a FA
Sack – I’ve been tracking Faneca closely and I’m afraid he has regressed, perhaps more in the running game than in the passing game. (Something like an A- to a C+ in the run game, but C+ to C in pass protection). I think he’s a step slow and not getting to some blocks on time as a result. Maybe it is just taking a little longer to grease his wheels though since he missed time in preseason. Here’s hoping.
I’m really excited about Brick. Have you seen some of the blocks he’s been making in space this year? I know you were critical of that aspect of his game a few years back – have you been noticing? (In the same vein, I think Brick has gone from an A- to an A against the pass and maybe C+ to B in the running game, if not even better than that).
DA BRICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
What happens next year, Jones is suppose to make $9 million (not sure on the #) and with Leon coming off an injury do you want to cut Jones and use a draft pick on a running back? When the Jets need is on the DL, CB, WR, and OL? Plus the limited amount of draft picks that they have.
Jesus:
“You gave the Jets running game no chance against Oakland because you said they would stack the box against Sanchez.”
1) Show me where I said that, I’m from the “I wannasee state” Ok?
2) The game, for all intent and purpose, was over in the first 1:30 min when Russell touched the football for the first time,EVENTHOUGH THE JETS NEEDED 4 DOWNS TO GO 4 YARDS, and three of those to go ONE YARD !!
3) The game lost all competive juices when Russell was benched in THE FIRST QUARTER, for turning the ball THREE times giving the Jets fourteen (14) points.
4) FIFTEEN (15) of those glorious 50+ runs you are so proud of occurred in the LAST quarter when the game was way, way over by then (31-0)and believe it or not they were the last fifteen consecuitive plays by the Jets (not counting two penalties) of the whole quarter.
Do you really think this is a true indication of the Jets prowess to run the rock?
No hank, but two 300 yard games does. How many teams have ever rushed for 300 in consecutive games? Regardless of the opposition, that in itself is a feat. Know how often that happens? 1975 is the last time it was done BY ANYBODY. There have been some pretty stellar rushing teams between then and now. So yes, I would say that it is a true indication of the Jets prowess to run the ball.
I like Jones, and I even hope he is around another year. I feel that he is a good offensive / overall team leader. However, just because someone is aged a bit, doesn’t mean you should dismiss that person’s veteran knowledge and craftiness.
Truth be told I think what happen to Leon this week will somehow cause a ripple effect and I think Jones will play another year in NY (CBA or not) because of it. I also feel that the 2 power house backs on the roster right now will provide a unique situation that we fans have not seen before (especially with T-Rich in the mix).
Just another thought…. but say Leon is 100% next year and T-Rich decides to either retire or his skills diminish. Thomas Jones might be a good “short term” stop gap at FB due to his strength and experience. Yeah I know he is not built for the job (but I also do not see quality depth at FB), but who is to say it wouldn’t work.
I can just see it now….Jones and Greene in the back filed at the same time, then switch it up with Leon. The opposing defense would know what to do because the Jets could run well in any direction!!!
I think everyone of your posts is a true indication of how clueless you are.
If youre from the “iwannasee” state then go do some archiving on your own, i’m not going to waste my time proving you wrong. I made the initial comment that the Jets should run the ball 50+ times and you responded by saying that the Jets couldnt have success doing that since the Raiders would stack the box and dare Sanchez to throw. Well, they did stack the box, and we still ran it down there throat.
Bent, you seem to always find old posts when necessary, if you could, find Hanks post. It would bring me much satisfaction.
Whether the Jets re-sign TJ or extend his contract or let him go, it’s clear now that it’s going to have to be decided on his perceived value as a running back today, and not some bogus standard that pundits make up to sound profound.
StvDoe, thanks. That’s all I was trying to say during the off-season — that it should be a savvy business decision concerning a clearly valuable asset, not merely a running down of its value to save a few bucks, which is how much of the TJ talk sounded to me.
Bent — I watched that with Faneca, too, and was concerned as well. I’ve watched a number of hulking OL and DL hit that wall over the years, but somehow Faneca seemed different to me. I kept watching him, and the more I did, the more I saw a proud player dealing with slow-healing injuries (yes, a sign of age) that would heal and be fine eventually. By the season’s start, I saw all of his timing was really messed up, rather than his legs weren’t able to move the way they used to. That was big, and gave me hope.
Bent, two — Thanks for the response on the wedge, will head back over there when I finish this.
Brendan — points 5 & 6 were meant to separate the NFL’s reaction to Rex’s stated team intent on the one hand, and then to their reaction to the Jets starting a rookie whom even many of us were scared was too inexperienced to start Day One. Clearly, the reactions in both cases were as strong as they were obvious.
I still affirm that 90% of all the heat TJ was taking in the first three to four wks had to do with the strength of the opposing run Ds we faced, how they stacked the box, and the problems the OL had coming up to speed. TJ couldn’t hit those holes as quickly as in the past, simply because there was no hole there! Running up the gut isn’t supposed to mean running into the gut of the NT at the line of scrimmage. Instead of any major negative, I took this as a positive — even without the vaunted “ground and pound,” we were holding our own with some of the best in the league, and actually winning these games without our best stuff. It’s what made Tom Seaver so fascinating to watch pitch — he’d go out some days with NOTHING, and still, somehow, come away with a W. That’s actually what we were doing here.
There’s nothing SOJ about that.
And that’s something to be proud of, not use as fodder to run down one of our best players.
Mike T:
I disagree on Just one thing: Tom Terrific was NOT the $$$player Koos was !!!
Jesus:
!!!
Why are you asking Bent to fight your fight. You made the statement , you back it up :P)
I figure bent has easy access to the archives.
I’m not going to waste my time when me, you, and everyone else on this blog knows your wrong. Shame on me for even attempting to challenge your comments.
hank/naples, on October 22nd, 2009 at 11:25 pm Said:
RinCT:
Franchez must not turn the ball over for the Jets to win. There is no way Oakland will let us run 40 to 50 times, which means Franchez must throw and protect the ball.
This game now is more critical for our QB than for the Jets. He is back to his enviroment, his family his friends and he needs to NOT give the game away !!
If he does, I think it can do some serious damage to his confidence !!
Jesus- I think this is what you were talking about. I had a pretty good idea of where he said this so i checked that post.
Haha, thanks 2g. I appreciate the help.
Hank, get your phony @$$ off this website
No prob lol. My memory served me well. Let’s see how he spins this now.
Jesus:
Just to show you how much of a nice guy I am I’ll save you the trouble of looking back.
I said : “there is no way Oakland would allow the Jets to run the ball 45-50 times”
This ofcourse was assuming that Oakland would play a physical, competitive game.
However, refering to my statements (2-4 ) above the game for all intents and purposes was over by the 1st quarter when they benched Russell.
Does that make me right? Ofcourse not.They did run for 50+ yards. But, for you to crow over those runs, is just plain weak.
If you had to leave the site every time you got something wrong, there’d be none of us left!
We all make mistakes from time to time, even me…uhh, especially me!
Bent;
Do I note one iota of support in your voice Bent?
Can’t be, holy moly, geezzz wizzzz !!!!
Jones is under contract with the NY Jets for the 2010 season. He has a 3 million dollar roster bonus due him and a 2.8 millon dollar salary. He current contract expires after the completeion of the 2010 season.
if TJ ends up with another 1300-1500 yard season then there is no reason not to pay him 3.5 – 4.5 a year for 2-3 years…if possible…and yes the line is opening up big holes…its there job to open up holes for the RBs… what RB in this leauge will get 100 yards in a game without good o-line blocking…none…as some1 said on top…TJ only gets 3 yards when the line doesn’t do a good job opening up holes for him…well those 3 yards are better than most RBs in this league in the same scenario…i think he’s worth another 2-3 years…just my thoughts…
we should at least keep him around for another year to help ease the transition from him to shonn greene as full time RB.
Jones is right …. the dude is a physical beast and cannot be grouped in with ALL OTHER RB’s. The 31 yr old rule might not apply to him. However, I do not think that he will be around for many years … but why not 2-3 more ? I think the Jets need character guys like this to help our team have some depth.
Otherwise we are just the Redskins.
Not wrestling with 20/20 hindsight is a good thing.
Before the game, hank/naple’s reasoning had its points, and was as valid as anyone else’s. Every team in the league knows now what the Jets are going to do. And will line up to stop it and force Sanchez to beat them. Maybe in a year or two, that will be a mistake and Mark will strike fear in DCs’ hearts. But we’re certainly not there yet.
If you’re the opposing DC, you say, stack the box with all you’ve got, shut down the run and let your DBs control the game.
Now, back to h/n, there are two ways to beat that defensive plan, both presenting challenges — run 50+ to wear them down in a close game, or go over the top. Going in planning to run 50+ times means you’re hoping for a close game. If it’s not, there goes that plan. If you go over the top, you’re now in 50-50 Land — either Mark has a good game or a rotten game (he’s shown both so far — how can you plan for one or the other?). Fear of the rotten game is what, I believe, spurred h/n’s comments.
No one on this board, or in either locker room, the press box or on millions of couches across America (or the UK) could have foreseen 14-0, game-set-match, before people found their seats. 3 3/4 periods of garbage time had more to do with the 50+ ground attempts than anything else.
Let’s all move on, there’s nothing to see here…
Good post, mike. Hopefully this game showed the Jets that when the box is stacked, you can still break long runs if you execute well, so they shouldn’t let the other team dictate what they shall do.
Agree to move on. Nice win, time to focus on Miami.