It's a business, it happens all of the time. NFL roster moves are some of the most pure economical decisions in any industry. He knew that coming into the offseason. If he didn't know that coming into the league, the NFL rookie symposium contains a whole lecture on that very concept. Mambo mentioned Coles' situation last season which is why I brought it up. The Jets didn't cut Coles, they worked with him to restructure his contract to let him walk as a free agent. They might be able to do the same thing with Jones. I do not know if they can but if it is a possibility then I am sure Tannenbaum is at least looking into it. Everyone on this team who is on their second contract has been around long enough to see what can happen. Most understand that. I don't fault Jones for trying to get paid, he certainly deserves it, but he cannot force the Jets to pay him. If they do not want to then there are ways around that. The decent thing would be to give him the opportunity to get his money elsewhere, which a cut or restructure would allow.
I think they did that with Coles because of his guaranteed contract. I highly doubt you can just restructure contracts to gain an advantage with the final fuck rules.
That's one way to look at it... another way is: Say you are the GM of a super bowl caliber team that needs a veteran RB (I'm just drawing up a scenario where TJ would fit in perfectly). How much money would you offer to TJ (1 year length) if he was on the FA market? I'm sure as of now NO ONE would be willing to pay TJ more than 3 mill... so Tanny is thinking: "If this guy is worth AT MOST 3 mill, why do I have to keep him for 6?" I agree that he more than earned his 8.3 mill over the 2 seasons... in fact, as I have stated I wanted the Jets to re-work his contract so he could make 4 mill last year and 4 mill this year... but from a strictly business perspective you don't keep around a guy who's worth 3 mill for 6 mill. That said of course as a fan I'd like Tanny to keep him and I do think that would send a positive message to the team... but I also understand if Tanny were to choose another route.
I mentioned the Coles situation not because of the final 8 rule but because I think that if a player comes up to you and says "I think I'm worth 6 mill dollars" and you think he's worth much less the only way to show him that is letting him talk to other teams... In the Coles situation he was actually right because he was able to find a team offering him a multi year deal averaging 7 mill per season... with TJ who knows... maybe the Redskins pick him up for 5 mill or maybe he re-signs with us for 2... I have no idea what can happen. But I think if you say to him "Take a look at the open market... whatever they offer you we offer you the same plus 500k" he would feel appreciated by the team and we could have him for less then the 6 mill he is scheduled to make.
So if you agree he is worth $4 million/year over last and this, then saving that measly $2 million in an uncapped year seems kind of silly. We need a veteran back on this team. Greene is great and explosive, but he has durability issues. TJ is proven and we would do well to keep him around for the contract that we signed. I understand that it is completely within our business rights to cut him, but again, that sends a really bad message to our current and prospective players. That message being, play what we signed you for and we still may cut you to save a few bucks in the end. That's just asking for more holdouts down the road.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Thomas Jones’ productive marriage with the Jets appears headed for divorce. Speaking to reporters here today at the scouting combine, Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum made it sound as if Jones would soon join LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook on the list of prominent veteran running backs forced to the unemployment line this month. We are getting closer to a decision there, but nothing has been finalized yet,” Tannenbaum said. “All I can say is we were fortunate we traded for him three years ago.” Releasing the 31-year-old Jones before the start of free agency next Friday would likely be a matter of money much more than production. Jones ran for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns last season but is due $5.8 million in bonus money and base salary next season. That’s considered too rich for the Jets --- even in an uncapped year --- in light of the emergence of Shonn Greene and expected return of Leon Washington. Tannenbaum met here with Jones’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, about Jones’ willingness to accept a pay cut to return, but it doesn’t appear they could reach agreement. Tannenbaum applauded Jones’ stint with the Jets, which saw him average a healthy 4.1 yards on 931 carries while scoring 28 TDs in 48 games. “He has done a lot of great things for us on the field and even more off the field,” Tannenbaum said. “He’s really been our leader, a tireless worker. He’s a really good player and a better person.” Tannenbaum also addressed several other topics: * The Jets are set to make a high tender offer to restricted free agent Braylon Edwards that would keep him in New York, but Tannenbaum said this will be an important offseason for the drop-prone receiver. Tannenbaum made it clear the Jets expect Edwards to participate in their offseason program, something Edwards wasn’t fond of doing while with Cleveland. “Have you ever been in Florham Park [N.J.] in March? It’s a wonderful place to be,” Tannenbaum said with a smile. “We have a lot to offer, a lot to do. It’s a good place to be." * Tannenbaum didn’t sound as if soon-to-be free agent kicker Jay Feely would be back after the Jets recently signed former Cowboys Pro Bowl pick Nick Folk. * Tannenbaum said quarterback Mark Sanchez’s recent surgery on his left knee won’t allow him to be 100 percent during offseason workouts, but the Jets expect Sanchez to be at full strength well before the start of training camp. * The Jets have not made tender decisions on the rest of their 11 restricted free agents, including Washington, Brad Smith and Kellen Clemens. “We’ve got one or two decisions we’re not quite final on,” Tannenbaum said. Washington is progressing well from the gruesome compound leg fracture he suffered midway through last season and is able to walk on the Jets’ underwater treadmill. * The Jets still hope to work out long-term extensions with All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis, center Nick Mangold and linebacker David Harris
The above article is very disappointing to me. I would hate to see TJ and Feely in another uniform next season. Especially TJ in NE!
Keeping TJ is just wishful thinking. Tanny: "We want you to take a huge pay cut, play 2nd fiddle to Greene and lose 10 touches a game to Washington....doesn't that sound great!?" TJ: "What are my other options?" Tanny: We cut you, you make at least, if not more, money than we are willing to give you with another team and you can probably get 15-20 carries a game with that team.....soooooo, whaddya say, do we have a deal?" TJ: "Fuck off"
HAHA Sad, but this is pretty true. Unless TJ really loves this team, he's going to be cut. I like the guy, and I appreciate what he has done while he's been here. BUT, he's got a lot of ventures outside of football, so the mighty dollar is extremely important to him. I just hope he doesn't end up in NE, I don't want to root against the guy.
Why are they being so cheap? It's not a capped year so it's not like this is posing salary cap problems. Jones is a team leader and Feely is coming off his best season as a pro. Why are they willing to cut ties with these guys?
Just because it is an uncapped year doesn't mean you should pay a player more than what you value them. Tannenbaum clearly does not value Jones as a starter and that is why he does not want to pay Jones to be a starter.
Because that money needs to be used to tie up more valuable players long term. Revis, Mangold, Brick, and Washington are nearing new deals. This si going to be a huge chunk of the Jets total salaery, capped or uncapped. Most teams are still operating as if a cap is in place ecause they fully expect to have one come 2011. Cuttign Jones now, while he has maybe a year or two left, while we have the younger Greene and Washington to step in, is the right thing to do.
Yup, barring any restructuring (which seems to be very unlikely) Thomas Jones will not be in a Jets uniform next year. Since TJ is on his way out, I hope we can keep Leon and then add a 3rd back through FA or in the mid to late rounds of the draft
