Jets releasing RB Thomas Jones today
There will naturally be some armchair GM'ing about Jones and the Rams, given the need to get a solid #2 behind Steven Jackson. I just don't think this is the guy, not at 32. The Rams probably need more of a complementary back, i.e. speedy Sproles-type, to pair with Jackson.
almost 2 years ago
Ryan Van Bibber
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Interesting why he left
Article says he “refused to renegotiate his contract, a deal that called for him to receive a $3 million roster bonus on March 9 and a $2.8 million base salary in 2010”.
Considering the Jets are in prime condition to make a superbowl run next year, and considering he won’t be getting that much money anywhere else.
It may be a case of him just washing his hands of this particular organization, as the article goes on to say “Last season, Jones staged a boycott of the offseason program because he wanted to re-work his deal, but the Jets didn’t budge. Jones eventually reported to a June minicamp and went on to have a career-year. He was hoping to get his money this season.”
I hope he gets a situation he’s happy with. I have a lot of respect for him.
Agree with VanRam
Sproles would be ideal for us. His speed, skill, work ethic, and motor would be an infectious positive impact for this team. If I were GM, he’d be one of my first choices at ANY position to grab in FA. You might have to overpay a little but I feel he’s worth it.
I think Sproles is in the same position Kevin Curtis was when we let him walk.
Both guys are obviously compliments and not a front line player at their position but, just like Curtis, Sproles is probably going to be able to swing a deal as a feature back. It’s going to cost a a ton of money and ultimately it won’t really pay off.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
I'd put Sproles as a more capable RB than Curtis was a WR
I have a little different take on Sproles. I actually don’t think he’s too far from feature. He doesn’t have prototypical feature size like SJ, but neither does Jones-Drew. He’s played major roles in college and for the Chargers, more in college, but still he wasn’t only a change of pace in San Diego. He had ~40% of the carries LT got last year, which is a decent amount of work. His senior year in college he was a primary ball carrier, with almost 250 carries.
I call him a Feature-B. He and SJ wouldn’t be as equal as Miami’s Brown and Williams, and I would not want him as my full on replacement for Jackson, but then again do think he’s capable of spot duty as the primary guy should SJ go down for a coupel games. (which I think is likely to happen this year).
He's going to get primary money and a primary role.
He’s not going to sign in St. Louis to take less carries than he did in San Diego. I, personally, have less confidence than you do in that he can be a successful feature back for multiple seasons. Fair enough.
But, this is now his opportunity to cash in, just like it was for Kevin Curtis. It was a poor role for Curtis back then and while, if in his position, I would have done the exact same thing, he’d probably had been better off in a lesser role.
I see Sproles as the ultimate change of pace back in the NFL right now who can take over at times like a feature back should be expected to do. I guess the way I look at it is when someone in the NBA, who’s amazing as a 6th man, signs a big deal to be a starter somewhere and is underwhelming in that role. I see Sproles as that same guy and, while I can’t fault him for getting his paper, it might not be the best fit for him.
Nevertheless, I figure of the newly available running backs, he’d probably be the least likely to sign with the Rams. He still has age on his side which is something Jones, Tomlinson, and Westbrook.
I guess if I’d rank them from least likely to sign with the Rams (1) to most likely to sign with the Rams (4), I’d rank them this way:
1. Darren Sproles
2. LaDanian Tomlinson
3. Brian Westbrook
4. Thomas Jones
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
I understand your reasoning, but...
I can’t agree with the list. If you are rating star quality, then you have it right. But if you are talking about production, then you are all wrong. Thomas Jones was the only effective full time back on that list. He had over 1400 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. That’s doing more than 95% of the backs in football. Thomas Jones is a good player and deserves a lot more credit. Oh, and did I mention Jones did that last year at the ripe age of 31? Yeah, that makes it even more amazing.
On this team, we are all united in a common goal: to keep my job.
-- Lou Holtz
by RamsMan83 on Mar 2, 2010 6:10 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Apologies...
Just saw the part about least likely to sign. I hope the rams do pick Jones up, but he’s wanting and deserves #1 back money.
On this team, we are all united in a common goal: to keep my job.
-- Lou Holtz
by RamsMan83 on Mar 2, 2010 6:12 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I knew when I wrote it, it was a little more than confusing.
(I almost put a little disclaimer in trying to make it more understandable…but didn’t)
Btw, if I were Thomas Jones, I’d be looking for #1 money too. I just don’t think anyone’s going to give it to him.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
I'll just say about the money - I would try to afford him
Maybe Sproles would cost too much. I would look into it though. And what if there’s an uncapped year, who cares? That’s just my value on him though…we can disagree about his ability, that’s ok.
There’s a lot of variables with contracts, but I place a lot of value on Sproles (and, as you pointed out, Sproles himself undoubtedly does too). but more importantly I think the Rams rely on the running game way too much to go with the backs they had last year. And I think the passing game is too immature. If they get a new QB, then add emphasis on that last aspect of their deficiencies.
I’ve been saying for a while that a great hands TE would be vital to a new QB. Here, I am starting to think someone like Sproles would be about as important. A la the Jets taking pressure off of Sanchez by having Jones and Greene.
I wouldn’t spend that much on LT or BW. T Jones….just aside from a flat “who is better”, I think maybe Jones is not as valuable to the Rams as a guy with Sproles’ skillset. It’d be nice to have someone reliable to change it up a little rather than just be a lesser beast than SJ, which is how I see Jones.
by CoachConnors on Mar 2, 2010 11:22 AM CST up reply actions
I go along your same lines
How would this playout? If the Bolts DON’T work something out with Sproles (I don’t think he will leave the Bolts) then that would replace two of our backup backs, free up one slot on the 53 man roster plus along with their paychecks=Sproles paycheck. I think we might come out with a plus doing a deal with Sproles.
I think Greg Olsen might pop free from Chicago this offseason.
He doesn’t fit into Martz’s system and because of that, I’ve heard Angelo is looking to move him for draft picks or something.
Olsen is definitely a “hands” tight end. He can’t block worth a shit (or even really tries) but he can definitely catch the ball.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
I do too
They don’t have a mature passing (or receiving) game and clearly leaned heavily on the run last year. They don’t really have someone to fill in for SJ39’s for any period of time, from their group of young guys….now add SJ’s back issues.
With Spags recently saying outright that they’sd like to add some more seasoned guys, and Devaney’s saying how he was worried all season about SJ’s health…I think that adds up to definitely being worth an investment in someone like Sproles, or TJones.
That’s a lot of indirect evidence a veteran RB might be in the works. I would not be surprised at all if it happened.
I suspect Jones is going to San Diego.
They don’t have anyone right now and he could fill their need for a feature RB. They could then draft a guy in the middle rounds and work with him so he could learn the job and slowly work his way in as Jones gets older.
I’d like to see us pick up Chester Taylor from the Vikings. He is used to being the second fiddle behind AP and he does a great job of it.
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