News first broke from ESPN’s Adam Schefter last nigh on ESPN:
Adam_Schefter: Filed to ESPN: Thomas Jones will not be restructuring his contract with Jets + will be released this week. He’ll be a free agent March 5th.
Thomas Jones’ agent Drew Rosenhaus and the Jets brass, Mike Tannebaum met at the Scouting Combine over the last couple of days to no avail. Jones was asked to restructure his contract who rejected the idea.
I think not signing TJ had little to do with money. Rich Cimini shines some INTERESTING LIGHT:
Leon's Injury Affected TJ Emotionally
It had been heading this way for weeks. Taking a step back, I think everything changed for the Jets’ running-back situation on Oct. 25.
That was the day, in Oakland, that Leon Washington’s left leg snapped in two. No one was more distraught after the game than Jones, who cared only about his teammate’s well being. But that horrific injury had a huge impact on Jones the player, as well as the person.
After sharing carries with Washington over the first seven games — the coaches were sticking to a carefully scripted plan — Jones became the every-down back. With little rest, he became the workhorse, finishing with a career-high 331 carries. He rushed for a career-best 1,402, but it took a huge toll. The Jets ran him into the ground, and it became apparent by Week 15 that he was running on fumes. Even guys built like Hercules wear down, especially at age 31.
That created an opportunity for his apprentice, Shonn Greene, who ran with his chance. He ran the Jets all the way to the AFC Championship Game and was so impressive that it left the Jets little choice but to make him their No. 1 back for 2010. If Washington hadn’t gotten hurt, it probably would’ve preserved Jones and we might not be having this conversation. But one ugly injury changed three careers.
The Jets Ran TJ into the Ground!
I completely agree with Rich. The Jets ran TJ into the ground and from the fan base perspective, everyone said the guy was finished because he had worn down at the end of the season. Well YEAH. They ran TJ into the ground!
My major fear is that they will do the same to Shonn Greene with him as the primary back. In a league that requires a “two headed dragon” to handle the running game, it was primarily TJ and Shonn at the end due to Leon Washington’s injury.
The restructure made sense for the Jets as to pay a guy that money to be a backup would be silly. But how do you penalize a guy after you ran him into the ground, had a career year as far as stats go. He would have been crazy to restructure. The writing was on the wall and this doesn’t suprise me at all. What suprised me was the light shined on the situation:
Rich’s Statement : “ONE UGLY INJURY CHANGED THREE CAREERS”
I had written on our backfield many times in the past, and I had stated that there is a risk of breaking up this specific backfield:
Here are the risks:
- 3 proven backs are better than 2
- All the signs indiciate that Leon will be back to 100%, but there is a risk that he will not.
- I’ve heard that TJ is a true leader, burns the mid-night oil and is a great influence on Shonn. If he leaves will Greene get laxed. (I had heard simliar rumors with Rhodes taking it easy once his mentor Vilma left for the Saints)
- Injuries are a fact of life, and as the 2009 season showed, it was nice to have the 3 backs.
- Shonn has shown that he can be injury prone. If we do not have TJ on the roster and Shonn gets injured, I do not believe that Leon can be our every down back, especially now coming off broken leg.
So what do you think of Thomas Jones leaving the Jets? Are you surprised? Does the number one running game of 2009 take a hit? Let us know!
