Mr. Jones
-
- March
- 5
The Jets have indeed struck “a deal”:http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=3139 to acquire running back Thomas Jones from the Chicago Bears.
The Jets will send the first of their two second-round picks, No. 37 overall, to Chicago for Jones and the Bears’ second-round pick, No. 63 overall.
The deal will be made official tomorrow but is still pending Jones passing his physical and, more importantly, agreeing to a multi-year contract extension with the Jets. However, that seems to be a formality now, though other deals have broken down even after getting to this point. I wouldn’t expect Jones to have a Lee Suggs-like physical tomorrow, either.
Obviously, a better analysis on the trade can be made after the numbers are finalized but, on balance, this seems to be a solid deal for the Jets. Jones is a proven commodity and the Jets still have two picks in the second round, though dealing the 37th pick probably will keep them from making a bigger trade up in the draft. Of course, now they don’t need Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson.
As long as Jones is able to get along with and possibly even mentor Leon Washington (he reportedly did not get along with Cedric Benson in Chicago), then Jones should be an effective back for the Jets over the next two or three seasons. Jones will be 29 when the 2007 season opens.
This entry was posted
on Monday, March 5th, 2007 at 10:54 pm by Andrew Gross.
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Jane McManus 
This sounds like a great deal for the Jets and they didn’t give up all that much. Now they need to focus on getting some help on OL, TE and FB to open some holes for him.
Thanks for your efforts, Andrew. It’s gratifying to see a reporter eager to report the information he obtains to the fans as quickly and as accurately as possible. The well thought, detailed commentary is appreciated—even when I don’t agree with it.
I can’t complain about this move too much. I’ll like it less if Blalock from Texas is sitting there at #37, but you can’t get everyone.
I like it a whole lot better than blowing up the payroll for Adalius Thomas or Nate Clements (though I’d love to land another Buckeye or two). That’s all contingent upon Jones signing for a reasonable contract, of course.
I just consulted the NFL Draft Value Chart. In essence, they got Jones for a high 3rd round pick (67th overall). That seems quite reasonable for a guy who ran for over 2500 yards the past 2 seasons.
Don’t count out Tannenbaum fellas, this guy will find a way to get that low second round pick back..then this deal looks even better!! There has been some talk about the Jets getting Columbo from Dallas (RT) and some talk that it is done, depending where you read…If we can find a real solid guard we will really be able to make a move offensively!!
This is a great trade for the Jets. Its amazing what a smart front office can do. Team Tangini took a seemingly ordinary low 2006 2nd round pick and turned that one pick into a QB of the future in Kellen Clemens, a solid and proven RB in Tom Jones, and a late 2007 2nd round pick.
Now thats mazimizing your draft picks if you ask me.
T Jones vs Benson was much more about Benson. All his teammates hated him, and loved Jones.
Tangini considers chemistry very carefully. Even a previously-known malcontent like Barlow was on his best behavior here.
Looks like I’m reduce to chiming in from work, until I figure out how to break back through from home…
Personally, I think this trade is a steal for the Jets. They’ve proven they can find value at any round, so I don’t think falling back 26 slots is much to give for a player of this caliber. It’s great they were able to get him without giving up a complete draft pick.
David: I have the same problem. I can’t post from home, only from work.
It stinks that they had to unload that 2nd round pick, but at least they got one back.
Overall, I didn’t like the trade at first because I thought Jones was older. I was relieved to hear he’s only 28 going on 29 for the start of the season. Hopefully, he has 2-3 good years left in him and can mentor Leon Washington. Just worries me that we’re going to be facing the same problem in 2 years when Jones is out of gas.
I am guessing now the Jets go defense with their first pick? Either a lineman or CB?
I just hope Michael Bush is not available with that first pick in the 2nd round that we gave Chicago.
Jets will go OL or DE with their first pick IMO. Lots of mocks have them selecting Justin Blalock. Jones is indeed late 20’s, but he wasnt used as a work horse as some of the other backs have been. Also, he fits into the Mangini mold as someone dedicated and smart. Apparently hes usually the first one in to arrive at the complex in the morning and the last one to leave at night. There’s also reports that he told his agent to “get him to New York.”
Andrew,
After reading all of the news items and blogs related to the Jones trade, I’ve seen that there has been a big deal made about him being 29 by the time the 2007 season starts.
So I went an looked up Curtis Martin’s statistics from Age 28 on, and I think its interesting to note there size similarities, and then note CM’s production from Age 28 forward, as well as the the sheer numbers of carries he already had by that time, and relate this to the fact that TJ has had so few carries at the same age.
http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/1132
Just
Curtis Martin
Size 5-11, 210
Thomas Jones
Size 5-10, 220
TJ # of carries by age 28 = 768
I am by no means putting TJ in CM’s category, my point is that we may just be getting a running back who is just hitting his prime, and who may be able to give us 4 great years.
I’d be interested in your thoughts as well as the rest of the blog contributors…
I wouldn’t mind Blalock. Along with Brick and Mangold, he’d solidify the line for the next 10 years.
I think defense is more important though right now. I’d like to see them grab a pass rusher with the first pick (now that RB is taken care of).
I fat fingered the content of my earlier post, but I think you get the point.
I know I complained about Jones’ age, but there is an upside: he doesn’t have as much mileage as your everyday 25+ carry, 28 year old RB. So hopefully, yes, he does give us 4 good years. And hopefully, he does mentor Washington. Hopefully….
The only reason I made a point of detailing Jones’ age is that, typically, NFL running backs are the down side of their career by 31 or 32. Obviously, there are exceptions but the norm would be for Jones’ ability to be a workhorse, featured back to diminish rapidly once he gets to 32 or so. Which still gives the Jets about three seasons, which is a very good thing.