he's due 7.4M next year. 5.9M is saved if cut with 1.5M in dead money. that's a bit much for a 31 yr old RB. TJ does pass block very well too, and that shouldn't overlooked. He's going to want a big payday for that last contract. Smart business sense says let another team do it.
If there is no cap next year, why not let him finish that year up despite the high cost, and then let him walk after 2010.
mick it will be tough to keep him at that rate. i wouldnt blame the team for cutting or restructuring him in some way that benefits them. although restructures typically dont work out very well. like most people including the fo i didnt think he would be a part of the team next year but he is really not making it a very easy decision. as a top draft pick and especially in a league like todays you have to be a flashy player to really get noticed. but yet as usual the consistent and lumbering end up doing just as well or better than those with all that flash.
He is 6th (7th) in the league in rushing right now. That is pretty good if you asked me. Especially with a rookie at QB.
This guy is about business. And throughout his career he has been a second half runner. For some reason the second half of the season he hits his stride.
People have been saying this since the '07 season, and what has he done since then? Proven everybody wrong. I'm willing to go out on a limb here, and say that he's got two to three more solid 1,000 yard seasons left in him. I read your post earlier about how great franchises let go of good players like this in order to plan for the future. If you're suggesting that in order to become a great franchise, or to take steps towards becoming a great franchise; we need to let good players go when they're getting older... I say that's ludacris! In most situations where that happens, those players go on to still be great for other teams. I would not like to see TJ go to another team. Instead, I'd like to restructure a deal. Instead of the seven mill for one season, I think it'd be in the teams best interest to resign him to a three year deal. Something along the lines of 3yrs/10-12mill, with 6.5-8 guaranteed. Like I said earlier, I believe that Jones has atleast another two 1,000 yard seasons in him. In his final year he could play backup to Greene if it's neccessary. I'd just like to have to veteran leadership in the back field while Greene matures. Not to mention, Greene will probably spend time working out with TJ in the off-season, which is not a bad thing, considering TJ's work ethic, and fitness routine. Greene would become a monster.
Well you know... I would agree 100% with you in a normal contract year... but in an uncapped year dynamics change and I think these last 2 years he's earned the money he is getting. Of course if someone offers us a mid-high third or a low 2nd you let him go but I just don't see it happening. We don't have many draft picks this year (as usual), we don't know exactly when and how LW is coming back and he is playing real well. I say keep him in 2010 and let him finish his contract, meanwhile sign LW to a 1yr tender. Then in 2011 (depending on how they played of course) give LW a fair contract, see how SG has come along and either offer TJ a one year contract ala Fred Taylor in NE or draft a young kid. That's my perfect scenario. I'm rooting for TJ to reach the 10'000 yds milestone
Yeah, it does. BTW, what credits Favre with being 9-1 and probably on the way to being 15-1 this year? Oh, I know he left the Jets.
Been a fan of TJ's even before he was a JET. Supported and defended him here countless times and I'm glad people are beginning to see the light. But, Just Like I did C-Mart....when he shows signs of not doing it anymore I'll be just as quick to point it out. AORN, He's still the f'in man! :beer:
With his training regime and the way he looks after himself Thomas has another 2 good seasons left in him. Get him signed for next year at worst, tag him, restructure whatever but if this Jets team is going anywhere in the next year we need a solid proven back who gets it done.
His value is never going to be higher then it will be in the offseason. If we can get a 3rd round pick for him I would do it without thinking twice. I still don't believe TJ is anything more than an average Rb, a guy that will take what the OL will give him. We need draft picks for this upcoming draft & TJ may be one way to recoup a draft pick while we already have a replacement on the roster. It is only natural that he is going to slow down and not just slow down, he is just going to be finished one of these years. It would be a wise move from this franchise to get something for him before that happens. He is getting up there in age and mileage.
For the past 5-6 years since he got over his early career injury problems he's been a vastly underrated player. He's basically a Curtis Martin type, quiet and just gets the job done w/o needing all the attention that other players need. He's "old" for a RB but his legs are young due to not getting many carries due to injuries early in his career.
You make a great point. He could fall off at any time. I would hope they could bring him back but I can see him holding out next year for a new deal. Tough situation being how well he has played, some team will pay him. Will they get this Thomas Jones, or a worn down slower one?
