This is exactly what a lot of people were saying about Jones last year in Pre-Season and wanted him gone. He'll turn it up when these games count. Pre-Season isn't his thing. He's 31 years old...I'm actually glad he's getting limited touches now and they let him loose come Week 1.
I'm sure the coaching staff realizes what we all see - that Leon is better than TJ. He might even be the best player on the team (I think he is). But the bottom line is it doesnt matter who "starts", if the coahing staff knows waht they are doing, Leon will have a larger role in the offense than TJ, even as a "non-starter"
I really don't have a problem with Jones....but i like Leon's effort...and maybe that's because he's trying to add more dollars to his impending deal. At any rate...his effort benefits the team.....if he gets the starting position over it...then good on Leon.
I agree. LW has looked spectacular this pre-season. But pulling up Jones' pre-season stats to argue that LW should get the start ahead of TJ is really not a good argument. He did the same exact thing last pre-season and he finished being the leading rusher in the AFC.
Actually, I was arguing it through about week 4 or 5, because he was stinking things up during the regular season at the start. At some point a light went on and he started fighting like his life depended on it. I wonder how long we'll have to wait this season...
Meh...I was merely pointing out the difference in "avg per gain"...which was substantial, IMO. It basically said that Leon was going on all cylinders and TJ was subpar. I know it's only preseason....and means "jack squat"....but still....just reading between the lines.
I think it took a little while for the line to start gellin as well last season. I'm not going to say it took that long either, but maybe it did take him a game or 2 to get it together. He ran the ball fairly well against the Ravens from what I remember. I think he'll be in mid-season form come Week 1.
Umm No one has mentioned that all leon's successful runs for the majority of the time a good 90%.. this preseason..Were on 3rd down .. defense is clearly expecting a pass.. not sayn he's not a good back .. just sayn though ..
What makes Leon so explosive is his fresh legs. If he were to start and get the majority of the work, I suspect he would lose much of his explosiveness.
I understand. I'm just pointing out that TJ doesn't run hard in pre-season is all. Hell, I don't know Woodhead's stats, but I'm willing to bet they're better than TJ's.
knowing this, doesn't make me feel any better. In fact, it pisses me off. I don't expect TJ to pretend these preseason games are the super bowl....but any kind of laxadaisical effort should be frowned upon, IMO.
See, it would be a big deal if he didn't AND in turn doesn't turn in a good season. So far, his MO has been just that. I'm fine with it because we can't afford another injury to our backs. I'm sure he knows how fast and hard to go in Pre-season. Now, this season, because they're going to be splitting carries on a run-oriented offense, I don't expect TJ to have great numbers, but I do expect his avg ypc's to stay aroung 5 or 6. It just is what it is esse.
you know the drill, rmags...... If TJ's avg YPC is below 5...i get to drive down to the states.....and shoot you :smile: same deal if we would've drafted Percy Harvin...I was gonna take a bullet. Just returning the favor.
I was watching Jones closely last season from the start, he was running with no heart and going down easily. For me it had nothing to do with the line, the line was the only reason he had any yards at all at the beginning of last season - he was only taking what was given to him all nice and gift-wrapped. I argued with edge for like 2 or 3 weeks about it. At some point around game 4 or 5 he started fighting for extra yardage, actually using that stiff arm to get around the edge, all of the things I had criticized him for not doing. It seemed like it was right around the time that Chatman's suspension was being lifted. I had the idea that TJ just didn't like the notion of someone taking carries away from him and stepped it up. Turns out he had no reason to worry, if that was the case. Either way, he's not a very dynamic back and needs and he's going to start losing production at some juncture. I would rather supersede that by giving more carries to the other guy in our backfield - the one who happens to be one of the most explosive players in the league.
Hahaha. Well, I mean, logically that's what I'd consider Jones keeping in par to putting his work in. Last year, he averaged...what? like 4.5 yards per carry. Well, I figure he'll have fresher legs who at times will face a tired DL. If he stays at 4.5 yards, he'll still be putting in his work. Anything above that and it's the new system paying dividends. If he continues to average 2.1, then he's (as you say) a tree stump that will be cut next off-season. Believe me, I thought the exact same thing as everyone when he performed poorly in last year's Pre-Season games, but he seems to get his shit together when the games begin to count.
I agree with all this. I was probably saying the exact same things about him in the "Thomas Jones is a bum" thread, but he turned out to be one of the best RB's last season. He has been notorious for getting better the more carries he gets. He's also known to be the most durable, and a work-horse. He will not do anything flashy, he will not dance around looking to juke players off their shoes. He's got the stiff arm and that's about it. That's just the kind of runner he is. Like I said earlier, I actually wouldn't mind game-planning against defenses by switching our backs whenever the matchup works to our advantage. Nothing wrong with that. I think by this year's end, Leon will prove to the front office that he can handle to load and he'll get a new contract and will be our guy next year, while TJ will very well be sent packing anyway since we won't be able to afford next year's salary against the cap.
I'm on board with this. He is our most explosive player on our team and need to get him the ball often.
