Yes, let us get a runner who is big, hits holes fast, makes guys miss in the open field, has amazing hands, doesn't get injured and can run guys over. Should be easy enough. How much money do you think we'd have to pay Warner Bros to hire Superman? Then we'd have a running back who could fly as well!
Brandon Jacobs, the stud runner for that other New York team, couldn't get that tough 1 yard when his team needed it in the biggest game of the year. Although I agree that Jones hits the holes slowly, I have learned to appreciate that he is waiting for his O-line to open the hole. They did with consistency this season. In 2007 they did not so Jones had less yards and scores. Folks think stud RB's grow on trees all of a sudden. Sure I'll pluck an Adrian Peterson from this tree here. We have more pressing needs than RB. I'm happy with a Jones Washington 1 -2. Jones is also a team leader. Tough to get rid of a character guy like him.
Ward is available and he does most of those things (not so much the doesn't get injured part) and wouldn't even cost all that much.
If Washington had the same amount of carries as Jones...we would have attended his funeral back in late December. I love Leon...but he will never be the type of back that can carry the ball 22-25 times a game. Now, with that said, 2-5 carries a game should get a HC fired...and it did.
Bingo...excellent points. This man love for Jacobs..like there are at least 10 or 15 more of him to be had...its nuts. The guy led the AFC in rushing...with that said would I prefer a number 1 leading back instead of by committee? sure...but that isnt the winning recipe in the NFL these days..the committee thing seems to have taken over..rather successfully too.
So, your primary concern isn't that you hate Jones, but rather that you feel Washington doesn't get enough respect? The team voted him MVP. The media (and Bill Cowher in particular) consistently refers to his play as the key to this team's success and calls him the Jets' best player. The majority of my friends are fans of teams other than the Jets. To a man, they'll tell you LW is the best player on this team due to his presence on ST and playmaking ability on offense. He should have an expanded role on this team next season...but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Thomas Jones filled his role as the workhorse back perfectly this season. Given his limited use with his prior teams, he should have a few seasons left in him. No, he's not a game changer. No, he's not the same home run threat that Leon is. However, he does things Leon can't do, like take the abuse every single down inside the tackles. If that's such an easily replaceable role, why didn't every team in the AFC have a rusher carry for as many yards as TJ?
I keep reading about how Jones led the AFC in rushing. Yeah, he did but let's get serious here. The AFC had a bad year all arond in the rushing dept and 1300 yards only ranked 5th in the NFL.
I didn't read this entire thread and don't really care to, so please excuse me if I'm repeating things that have already been said. Who exactly is overrating TJ? On this board he was pretty much shit on for a large portion of the season. The media? Who in the media is giving him big praise? The best thing about TJ is that he's consistent, durable and reliable. You can count on him to take 20+ carries a game over the course of a season. That is an extremely valuable asset for any team.
Could be but at least Turner and Peterson who both had plenty of relief over the course of the season would have done just as well in the AFC I would think.
^I would agree, but for the old man to even be mentioned in their company says a lot. I have never been the hugest of TJ fans, but there is no doubt in what a difference he has made to our running game. Like my phin fan friend and I came up with at the Miami game, he gets "deceptive yards". He has never been flashy, but he certainly was dependable this past season. I think he'll be good for at least one more year. 2010 is when we should really be having this conversation.
Jones is a solid runner, nothing spectacular, I'm not complaining but we can do better....Superman would be an upgrade...
No one agrees with you...atleast I hope not!!! If we cut him, we save shit. Infact we take a cap hit of half a mil. Why would you want to release a player who is in his prime, is a pro bowler, lead the AFC in rushing AND take a cap hit??? Seriously, its not as simple as people think it is. http://www.nyjetscap.com/salary.html
I'm not proposing dumping Jones, I never did. I say we need to add another back if we are going to be primarily a running offense team.