Thomas Jones CAR / YDS / AVG / TDS 122 / 602 / 4.9 / 7 * This is a guy who said last year, he feels like he could play for another four or five years. Keep in mind these stats are being produced from a Brian Shottenheimer Offense that was pass happy during its first four games. Does this mean we'll see even more production from TJ now that Shotty is focusing on the run? Maybe not, but what these stats do show is that Jones is well on his way to another 1,000 Yd season, and possibly the AFC's leading rusher once again. Pay this man what he wants! Sure Shonn Greene is a beast, but with Leon out for potentially the year, and not knowing what he'll perform like nxt season; Thomas Jones stock is slowly rising. I think a lot of people like to talk bad about Jones, without realizing the stats he's producing. Stats which I must say, speak for themselves!
i never understood the TJ hate. another potential pro bowl season, and people were calling him out at preseason. let him play out his contract next year.
i don't have hate for TJ... but come on... lets be realistic, at least a little here. he's had 2 great games against teams that can't stop the run. is he good? sure, when he stops that hippity hoppity bullshit at the LOS and actually runs. i don't think he's without criticism... is all i'm saying. not hatin' just statin'
You'll probably get some comments about your choice of type style, but I agree with what you're saying. Jones is not a brilliant back like a Barry Sanders or an Adrian Peterson, but he's very durable, very productive and is doing this while wanting more money (I don't agree that he should be paid more - he got his money in the signing bonus). But still people say we should trade him now for whatever we can get (I saw someone mention a fourth or fifth round pick), when his importance to the team is greater than ever. Greene and Jones can be a great double-act for this team for the rest of this season and next year - they can be the backbone of the offense, giving Sanchez the luxury of only attempting 15 passes in a game. Keep him.
It's not the number he puts up (because of some big plays) it's because on the other 80% of the plays he stops running after the 1st contact... with the ability he has in finding the holes if only he could hit them harder he would only be 2nd to AP... but nooo, he dances behind the OL and gets killed.
Obviously, I don't speak for Thomas Jones. But, in his defense; I think dancing around at the line of scrimmage has more to do with the fact that he's playing for a contract and he's trying to make things happen. He's getting older and he needs to show that he can still make things happen.
People on message boards don't seem to like anyone over 25 who makes any money at all. All the wannabe GMs always want to cut those guys because they and nobody else know who the up-and-coming must-get guys are. That's my take on the Jones hate here.
greene made things happen yesterday too.... but he ran through people. TJ is in awesome shape. he should do a little more power, a little less so you think you can dance.
TJ started REALLY slow but for the second straight year he seems to be coming alive in the middle of the season... I have my doubts this time around but if he keeps running like he has the past two weeks, there isn't going to be much to hate. I think most of the hatred revolves around the fact that Jones wants to be paid like one of the elite backs in the league when there is massive disagreement whether he is or not. His running style, speed, and explosiveness are anything but elite, but his production is elite so it's very difficult to gauge his true worth, and whether he thinks he's worth more than he really is. I also think most fans have resigned themselves to believing that he won't be around beyond the end of his contract. I agree with this sentiment, but who knows - a lot could change based on the CBA and other situations.
For the record..."dancing around" != making things happen. it's pussy football. He ran well yesterday....but it doesn't take away the fact his run style is weak. Watch how S.Greene hits the LOS.....that's textbook on how a HB in this league should be running the ball.
It's not really pussy football, he just doesn't have an aggressive attack at the POA. But he is a grinder, accumulating yards if you let him, and he is an all-around player. There aren't that many backs in the league that can pass block, catch the ball, and gain that many yards in this league. I think that Jones would actually be a great change of pace back to Greene in the future, if they go that route. You pound the shit out of the defense with SG for the majority of the carries and then throw Jones in there as the cutback guy and totally fuck their play timing up. It's kind of like a fastball pitcher throwing a change-up.
I do agree that Shonn Greene is our future. I just think that Thomas Jones is our right now. He's given us multiple 1,000 yard seasons, even when our team was 4-12. Broken franchise records held by the great Curtis Martin, and even shows up at charity events when he knows the front office doesn't want to pay him. His work ethic is superior, and he's given us enough to show him a little loyalty is all I'm saying. Even if the FO only wants to give him a one year contract with an option for a second if he produces. I think he's worth more than the nine hundred thousand he's getting paid now.
the change-up is my favorite pitch to hit out of the park....but i smell what you're cookin'. :wink: I'd like to see SG get the majority of the carries eventually. If he runs hard and the MO of not fumbling much rings true....he should get the nod. I like TJ....I just don't understand why the guy "hops" before he hits the hole...and ends up getting stuffed for a 2 yard gain. I find this frustrating to watch.
The one thing I think everyone will agree with is that Jones is in the perfect situation here in NY being that we have such a good offensive line. I think behind a bad offensive line Jones would look awful being that he is incapable of making something from nothing. I was going crazy about Greene before the draft and damn am I glad we got this kid. The Sanchez / Greene combo is going to be the best we've seen since Testaverde / Martin.
Except in 2007, when Jones was running behind one of, if not the worst O-Line in the NFL and still put up a 1,000 yard season.
I'll get off the TJ hate... He is a good runner when the offensive line creates for him. Otherwise, he's not talented enough to create on his own. That said, I hope he runs every week like he did against buffalo and oakland!
but he only found the endzone once in 2007. we're nitpicking now.....but whatever. Hopefully Jones will continue rolling next week. I'm just glad S.Greene got his chance and excelled.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! although 1000yds is not much these days it still was an accomplishment behind that joke of a line. and FTR, Emmit Smith ran behind one of the greatest Lines in History! just sayin'
He wasn't really doing it a lot yesterday or last week, but I know your frustration with his hop cut. It's like a really exaggerated form of a cutback, and it only works when the OL is blocking out of their minds. I think that TJ will be playing for his right to get carries with SG breathing down his neck, and I think it will make our running game much more effective because of it. I just hate the fact that it took Leon's leg getting broken in half by an overpaid bum DT to get Greene the carries he needed to establish himself.
