New contract unlikely to be granted to Jets RB Jones By Matt Sohn - March 21, 2009 Fresh off the first Pro Bowl season of his career, Thomas Jones is looking to cash in. The 30-year-old has missed the start of the Jets? voluntary offseason program, and all indications point to contract discontentment as the reason. It?s not hard to see why. He?s scheduled to earn a base of just $900,000 with a $100,000 workout bonus in ?09, the third year of his four-year, $20 million deal he inked upon his arrival in New York from Chicago. When reached by telephone, Jones? agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told PFW he had nothing to say on the matter. It?s just as likely that the Jets will have nothing to tell Jones regarding a pay raise. New head coach Rex Ryan is philosophically opposed to renegotiating veteran contracts this far in advance, and GM Mike Tannenbaum?s track record is also one of playing hardball. When Tannenbaum has amended deals for players who request one, they?ve tended to be more cosmetic than practical, with the possible exception of Laveranues Coles? restructured deal last offseason. Jones turns 31 in August, and running backs? productivity tends to dip substantially after age 30. Making matters worse for Jones is that the Jets? top priority is extending star return specialist and No. 2 RB Leon Washington. > http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+East/NY+Jets/WWHI/2009/wwhi031909.htm
I love Jones, but I can`t see us restructuring a 30 year old back, it just doesn`t make sense, he also hasn`t been around long enough to warrant any sentimentality, or name association with the Jets. To break it down, he is no Curtis Martin
I hope they don't restructure his deal. It's a CONTRACT. It's a shame that athletes don't seem to understand the concept of a contract. How would he have felt if the organization went to him after his '07 season and told him they were going to pay him less because he only scored 1 TD?
I didn't hear Jones complaining while he was getting paid a shitload over the past 2 seasons. He knew the details of his contract when he signed it, he's gotta live with it now. If he has the balls to try holding out, it's just gonna lead to more snaps going to Leon Washington, further reducing the Jets incentive to give him a new deal. In summation: shut up and deal with it.
Nothng for nothing TJ at least earned a more respectable contract for the upcoming season. $900k is nothing. 1 play he could be injured and career over. The guy deserves some kind of raise COME ON MAN.
Yeah, his base salary is $900,000 for this year, but like the article says, it's a 4 year $20 million dollar contract...he's obviously getting money somewhere.
I agree with that 100%. A hold out would only hurt him worse. His best option is to come back and play his ass off, kind of like an audition for other teams. He may be released after this season if he continues to display unhappiness. Running backs are an easy fill nowadays, especially to fill the back up role for Leon.
Good, RB over the age of 30 should take what they have. The carries over the years are gonna start catching up to him soon. He had a great O-line to run behind last year and he can be replaced. Shady/Knowshon + Leon is a better combo for me.
Not in any possible sense of the word. He wasn't worth the guaranteed money he got when he came here and he certainly isn't worth more now.
No problem here with him wanting to restructure his deal. As long as he has no problem with the Jets putting wording in the contract about us getting that money back when he doesn't perform to expectations.
I have no problem with Jones trying to get more money, hes coming off a career year, and deserves it. Your right it is a contract, but why isnt that a two way street, if he only scored 1 td in 08, you could have bet he would have been cut, even though he had 2 years left on his deal
is it?? Last time I checked a player that was in a contract couldnt just walk and play for a different team the next year
Couldn't they give him a raise but with the same number of years on his old contract? I don't mind him getting more money, I just don't want to see him playing here at 33.
I have no problem with him wanting to renegotiate the contract. This is the way it is in the NFL - agents have told players that since contracts are not guaranteed, it's "not fair" that teams get to cut a player whenever they want but players don't get to leave when they want to. He has gotten $14 million of the $20 million in the contract (including for 2009), and he knows that there is pretty much no chance that he's going to get that last $6 million (in the form a roster bonus, a workout bonus, and salary) next year. Of course, that's why the annual figure is completely irrelevant - it's only the bonus and first year's money that matters when a player signs a contract. After that, it's all gravy and just playing with numbers to make the cap work. Players and agents know that when they sign the contract. That's why I also have no problem with the Jets telling him that they're not going to renegotiate.
I hate when reporters only talk about the base salary and don't mention the yearly average of the contract. It gives a false idea of the player's compensation.
Great avatar dude. I can understand wanting another payday because he's getting up there in age, but this will not be tolerated. Coles wanted more money and was promptly shown the door. If Jones doesn't stop crying, I don't see him here much longer.
Pre Draft I disagree. He'll get his 6 Mil next year unless we draft a back this year.He's still worth the money. I think this is about post next year. He'll be a 32 year old back, with virtually no upside unable to land anything beyond a one year deal.
