I guess you are right, but can they make sense at least. How can you trade the # 1 RB in the AFC last year when your new head coach wants to run the ball even more with your only RB's being a 3rd rd. rookie and a 3rd down back? That's where they lose me. Its like the Cutler deal for the Broncos. How could they trade Cutler without getting a QB in return. Well, they didn't trade him without getting a QB. Even if he holds out till the regular season, its still not smart to trade him because he's a good back and we need him. I don't like guys holding out with 2 years left on his contract , but we all know the deal, if he does not get a new contract now, the only thing he will get is 2.5 million or so for one year after the 2years are up and it won't be here. So i see both sides, bottom line is we MUST have him. If it was up to some people, we would have a rookie coach, rookie QB and rookie RB all starting on a team that's been put together to win now.
Running backs start as rookies all the time. Greene is a third-rounder but they obviously valued him pretty highly -- if they'd had a second maybe they'd have taken him there. I don't think they'll trade Jones since aging running backs don't have much value, but if he doesn't show up then they will likely give about a dozen of those 20 carries a game to Greene and the rest to Washington. Among the rookie runners who started or got most of the work from the get-go last year were Kevin Smith (taken with the same pick as Greene), Matt Forte (mid-second rounder) and Chris Johnson. It's not exactly unprecedented. Then consider that Ryan was in Baltimore, where they basically shelved McGahee for a bunch of games and gave all the carries to a rookie (Ray Rice) and a second-year fullback (McClain). I don't think he'd think Jones is irreplaceable. They just might need to do it a year sooner than they were planning if he doesn't show up for training camp.
You would think that Seattle would learn their lesson about old running backs and not make a trade like this considering how Alexander blew up right in front of their faces after his big deal.
What we are lacking according to everyone is a #1 WR. Branch is NOT a #1 WR, and no way the value that TJ is.
The team is not put together to win now. We have a first year starter at QB. This team is being set up to challenge next season for the next 3 to 5 years. Perfect year to let a young guy develop and there will be plenty of veteran RB who will be available to give us 100 to 150 carries this year and mentor Greene. Thomas Jones isn't carrying our O to a division win without a great year by either Sanchez or Clemens. If either one of them have a great year Jones is expandable. If either one of them doesn't Jones isn't carrying the team on his back. Baltimore not only had a rookie QB last year but their first team all pro running back had 8 total carries in the NFL his previous year.
While I agree that the trade with Seattle would be horrible, it's only because I don't feel gaining Deion Branch is sufficient for what we'd lose in Thomas Jones. I have to disagree with the assertion that we'd automatically be entering the season with just those two RBs. There are going to be plenty of serviceable RBs available after June 1st . In particular, Denver is going to have to cut at least 3 backs, and one of them should be either Peyton Hillis or Ryan Torain. I'd be excited to bring in either one. We're not going to be looking for a 20 carry back if TJ goes away. Last year, Baltimore led the league with 37 attempts per game. If you plan to give Leon and Shonn an average of 10 - 15 carries per game each (and last year, 5 separate rookies rushed an average of 15+ carries per game), you're looking to replace another 12 carries per game. It would be a true RB by committee approach, like what Baltimore ran with, with a speedy back, a bruiser, and a 3rd threat. I wouldn't call TJ irreplaceable. We'd just take a more even approach to the running game, which wouldn't be a bad thing.
He doesn't break tackles, he's on the wrong side of 30, he will never equal or better his performance from 2008 and he wants more money? No thanks. He can stay on for what he's supposed to get but he doesn't deserve more.
I never agreed with the information that I posted. I just posted it just to get the forums talking and it did work. My thoughts on TJ and the Jets is that they need to work out a contract that will work out for both the team and the player because we do need TJ here if we are going to pound the ball and help the QB
IMO, the best thing to do with the Jones situation is to keep him on the team for the 2009 season. Let TJ and Leon get the majority of the carries, but let Shonn Greene get his fair share as well. If Shonn Greene looks like he can handle the load after his rookie season, then we can cut/trade TJ after the season. If Shonn Greene doesn't look ready, we can keep Jones or look for a veteran in FA
We are setup to win this year. The starting QB has been learning the same system for 3 years and will finally get a chance to prove himslef. You have to be kidding if you think Woody spent all this $ the last 2 years to win in the future.
Of all WRs, Deion Fucking Branch? The midget who failed to break 1000 yard as Tom Brady's Go-to receiver? Jesus fucking Christ. HELL FUCKING NO.
You have to be kidding if you think Clemens or Sanchez make us SB contenders this year. At best we maybe compete for a wild card, maybe and Sanchez shows enough life for the team to be stabilized and heading in the right direction for the opening of the new stadium.
I'm indifferent to the TJ/Branch deal. The truth is, it doesn't matter. TJ is in his final year with the Jets. He won't see next year's roster bonus money & salary. Due to that & his age, he has little to no trade value. We're not Superbowl contenders with TJ or Branch, so to me it's an irrelevant wash. If we can get an early 2nd day draft pick back out of the deal, than go ahead & pull the trigger, because that will give us somebody that might actually be on the team past season's end. The guy that was mentioned in the article that might be the better get is Daniel Graham. I'd be for Mr. T placing a call to Denver & seeing if he can be had on the cheap.
I totally agree with you! The only thing this guy has done was have great games in the superbowl. Other wise, the rest of his stats are just terrible. I don't think he has had a 1000 yard season, or a 10 TD season. The only time he's broken the 100 yard mark in a game i think has been the super bowl. I would rather stay with what we got. And having three good RB's is not a bad option, considering one (Leon) is a threat as a short yard receiver.
He broke 100 yards in both SB he played in the Confrence championship against the Steelers and the division playoff loss to the Bronco's. He has averaged 14.8 per in the playoffs pretty good and an indication that he has game against tough competition when healthy.
This isn't fantasy football. The only way we could trade TJ is if another team was willing to sign him to a new deal. No team is going to give TJ what he wants AND compensate the Jets with anything of value. He's not going anywhere unless he gets released.
