Jets RB Jones unhappy again
Here's a real shocker: Jets running back Thomas Jones is dissatisfied with the four-year, $20 million contract he signed two years ago, when he was traded from the Bears, where he also complained about a contract he signed as an unrestricted free agent when nobody else wanted him.
Not only is Jones just an average-to-slightly above average running back, but he’ll be 31 before the 2009 season starts, and he’s logged almost 2,000 NFL carries, including 1,210 in the past four years. Last year the NFL average gain per running play was 4.2 yards. Jones has averaged 4.2 or better three times in his nine-year career. He’s averaged 4.0 yards per carry or less five times, including 3.6 in 2007, when he scored 1 touchdown on 310 carries.
Last season Jones rushed for 1,312 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns, all of which are very good numbers. But he’s already collected $13.1 million in the first two seasons of his contract, so he’s been well compensated.
Still, Jones has been a no-show for all of the Jets’ optional workouts this off-season. You can’t blame the guy for trying to get all he can, but it’s extremely rare for any NFL running back to remain productive past the age of 30. The Jets know that. That’s why they drafted Iowa’s Shonn Green in the third round last month.
The Jets also have 26-year-old Leon Washington, who led the NFL last season with 2,337 all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving and returns). He’s also unhappy with his contract, which is in its final year.
Good luck Rex Ryan.
Jones could have all the money, fame and glory one man could possibly attain, and he still would not be a happy person. It's just the way he is wired. The good news is that it is not our problem anymore.
be a back up in Chicago for LESS money?
Jones, in my opinion, has always been a whiner and a clubhouse lawyer. He didn't do anything in Arizona after being drafted in the first round, went to Tampa and didn't like splitting time there, came to the Bears and was mediocre at best until we drafted Benson. All of a sudden, the "politics" started through his teammates and Benson was cast as a malcontent even though he just seemed like a quiet kid who was too honest for his own good. When Jones knew there was a first rounder that was going to take his snaps, he had his first good year. Each year there were always little comments made about Benson (and Cedric obviously didn't help himself) and Jones was being "disrespected" again from a contract standpoint. He landed with the Jets and when Favre came in to steal some of his thunder, he started talking about the Hall of Famer at the end of the season and now he's holding out. I have always felt he is one of those guys you really don't want on your team because he will divide a locker room and has proven it almost everyplace he's been. I hope Rex Ryan is like his father and tells this bum where to put his contract demands.
He has to strike while he can cause with a rookie QB they are going to lean heavily on him and he will suck just as he did in 07 without Brett to back the defenses off. He is a good all around back but he is average at best and only getting worse each year.
Jones has always been known as a workout junkie...So the OT's aren't really needed for him to stay in shape. So this I the only leverage he has. He might be able to only get 1 more contract in his career. I'll take Forte any day though......