Thomas Jones is 32, slow, doesn't break tackles and benefited from having one of the best lines in the NFL the last two seasons. When your line is this good you don't need to spend 6 million a year on running backs.
The players are 100% right. Tannenbaum is like Cashman with the Yankees. They don't reward the guys who won for them./ Tanny with Jones, Cashman with Damon. They're both freakin weasels.
I think the Jets of all teams know about linebackers taking a long time to develop... the most recent examples being Thomas, Pace with the Cardinals, and James Farrior. They must feel that this could still be the case with Gholston and want to try to salvage something out of him before cutting ties with him. If they didn't feel this way I don't see why they wouldn't just cut him and open up the spot for someone who is going to actually make a contribution. I'm sure they're trying to avoid having another Farrior situation, where he leaves and ends up being productive on another team.
I'm just happy Thomas Jones brought Shonn Greene under his wing, and I like the way Shonn was brought into this team. Leon goes down Shonn steps in gets his first NFL Touchdown vs the Raiders. Than becomes a hero in the playoffs against the Bengals, and Chargers.
Interesting that this is the first time I've seen this. Why would they do that? Better that a player knows going into a game that his role will be reduced than have a guy brooding on the sidelines when he sees his "backup" getttign the lion's share of the carries. Jones was a leader and a durable runner who, IMO, was quickly comming to an end as a NFL running back.
The board was mostly down on TJ at the beginning of the season cause he hits the line and falls. As I have said before, that's his running style. As long as he is making yardage, that's all that matters. Then he surged mid season, and slowed down again in the playoffs. How come no one wants to recognize his knee injury for him slowing down. The Jets running game collapsed in the Colts game because we had an INJURED running back stepping in for an INJURED running back, and Danny Woodhead as our 3rd stringer on the sidelines. Jones is passionate, loves football, is an inspiring speaker, and great teacher. Letting him go will be a mistake. He has the chemistry with the OLine and it will take another season for a new RB to fit in properly. Pay the man - reward him for being steady and strong. Oh and BTW - And Fuck Johnny Damon. Cashman is the "Darth Vader" of the evil empire. Tanny is nothing like him.
So whats the locker room going to say when their leader can't carry the load anymore? "I'm glad he's here but, shit, I mean, when he's out there he just can't get it done...he's hurting us out there" Leaders get replaced, teams move on. This is Sanchez's team now. Talk about passion and love for the game - Sanchez is that guy. He loves playing football more than anyone else on that team. The running game will survive, the team will survive, the locker room will survive. Its a business and the initial shock will wear off by the 1st OTA the latest for all players.
A 32 year old running back isn't worth 6 mil. Any decent running back will look good behind this line. Remember how bad he looked in 2007? We'll be fine with SG, Leon, and a Mike Bell type. As far as the players being pissed about it- give me a break. It's a non issue.
Remember how bad the 07 OL was? With two starters that year who didn't belong on a UFL team? And he still hit 1000 yards. Bad example.
Running backs come and go. They aren't worth doling out big money to, even in an uncapped year. You're asking for trouble when you give big money to a 32 year old back coming off a knee injury. We hear this crap all the time too about the 30+ year old back who is 'fresher' than most 30 year olds. They didn't get as much work in so they'll last longer, blah blah blah. That's what Priest Holmes was saying. These guys decline quick and he's next to go.
I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't want to keep him around for his leadership. The front office feels that they are dumping him before his downspiral and that his intangibles don't outweigh his age and the decrease in production that may go along with that. We'll see if they were right, who knows. We can't keep around everyone that is a team leader. We might still have Testaverde if that was the case. Sometimes it takes bold moves to have success. I don't think we'll miss his leadership or yardage unless we have major injury problems at the RB position. Jones could get injured just as well as the other RBs. Shit happens. Personally was fine either way- keep him or release him.
Thomas Jones was a major reason why we lost the AFC Title game. He was TERRIBLE. I appreciate what he did for us the last two years but he hurt his knee and he's 32 years old. His body will start breaking down now. How many good 32 year old running backs do you guys know of? Even Curtis Martin hit a wall when he turned 32.
