If those are the Jets' only options, you of course choose the former. But they aren't the Jets' only options, so that scenario is irrelevant. Instead of overpaying a 30+ year old back who has questionable time left in his career, I choose a young, fresh-legged bruiser who can actually make the linebackers flinch from contact in the 4th quarter. Something Thomas Jones has NEVER done. How's that for logic?
Yeah well, wouldn't we all? Those types of backs don't exactly grow on trees, so I don't see how your scenario is any more relevant than mine.
What happens if we don't give him a better contract? He plays for the Jets for 2 more seasons at a decent price. I'll take that. Why pay more when we don't have to?
-top speed disappears reguardless of # of carries...it goes with age TJ never had the homerun threat to begin with so i don't think he can lose an edge he never had...he will still be close to the same back he was (without injury) over the next 2 years -to argue against the carries theory, mike anderson-didnt enter the league until he was 26...and couldnt do anything after 31 -and injuries dont care what age you are and only become easier with age... -TJ has made 13 mil over the past 2 years...thats a lot of money he can suck it up this season and hope for an extension or increase next year -RBs are easily replaced through the draft...especially when Leon is already a great rb -we will add another rb either way if we plan to become the run heavy team Rex wants...
Because contract disputes create a huge distraction for the team. We have the cap room, so why not toss him a little extra money and avoid the whole situation?
just don't extend his contract--Boobway gave Martin an 8 year deal at age 30 and Curtis made it thru only half of it.
...14 million can go quickly in the NFL i'm sure if this is closing in on preseason and we are looking at a 14 million cap we'd be dumb not too, but with plenty of offseason ahead full of draft picks, a few FAs, and an economy causing the team to have employees take 2 weeks without pay....It wouldn't look great to extend or increase Jones' salary right now
Are you kidding? Running back is historically the easiest position to fill in this league. So much so that we got the great Thomas Jones for a pittance from Chicago. Every year these new backs come from nowhere on teams around the league and rack up thousands of yards. It's not all that hard to figure out. You don't overpay 30+ cutback runners.
Who would you rather have as the RB of your team: A.) A 30 year old who has carried the ball 1000 times so far in his career? or B.) A 40 year old who has carried the ball 30 times? (Nobodys given him a chance yet)
...I was referring to your "young, fresh-legged bruiser who can actually make the linebackers flinch from contact in the 4th quarter".
Looking at those stats in the op - C. Martin had 3 seasons without a fumble - and one of em with 1600+ yards - that guy was sick. I like TJ, but I don't think they should give him more money at this point. If he doesn't get the extra cash and decides to leave, I for one wouldn't be disappointed to see Leon take over the bulk of the running duties along with some young blood behind him.
Thomas Jones does not deserve more money. He will never have another season better than he did in 2008. That being said, he's still a good back, for now, and there's no reason to get rid of him. I'd like to see him finish his current contract with the Jets.
So big, bruising starting backs ala Brandon Jacobs are easy to come by?? Please, do explain this one.
Dude, now you are grasping. Brandon Jacobs is like the Randy Moss of runningbacks, he is a freak of nature. I am talking about physical runningbacks in the vein of Marion Barber, Frank Gore, Marshawn Lynch, La'ron McClain, Deuce McCallister, Michael Turner, etc. That's why I said the 4th quarter. They wear down defenses and make it easy for change of pace backs to seal the game at the end. Thomas Jones does not wear down defenses. He's also not a burner. He follows blocks and gets good yardage, but he is not dynamic, which is why he was invisible in 2006. He's not worth a new contract, unless it is one for less money.
The same thing was going through my mind when I opend this thread. I agree with the point that TJ should have less wear and tear on his body over all because of the lack of carries. The problem will be that any injury, not matter how small, will be harder for a 31+ year old back (jones will be 31 entering the season) as opposed to a 25 year old back. I'm 32 and still active. I play Rugby and Hockey. Not exactly the kindest of sports to the human body. As a young guy after a game I would feel fine the next day. In my later 20's I remeber it taking a day or two to feel good again. Now days it can take a few days or more depending on the beating I take. Its all about how the body recovers. The longer you take ot recover, the worse your pratice time during the week will be and the less effictive for the next game. Jones may have a good year or two left. He's already signed for those. Let him play them out and move on if he wants to.
The backs you mentioned (with the exception of McClain, but like I said these guys don't grow on trees) are hardly what comes to mind for most people when you mention the word "bruiser". And I'm the one that's grasping? This is starting to get off topic. The point of the OP was to point out that TJ shouldn't be written off because of his age - he can still be a very productive RB for the Jets.
Supposedly when a running back hits 30 his career is over. For Thomas Jones when he turned 30 he had 1312 Yards rushing and 15 TD's.
