Jones might become a problem and we have a good enough O-line that our running game can probably do just fine with the rookie guy and Leon. We need a WR big time and what Edwards can do when he is on his game is well-known. I just don;t see why the Browns would make the trade.....replace an old RB with one who is almost just as old? Why?
I'd be surprised if the Browns did this deal straight up. Jones is very ordinary and easily replaceable. If we do trade (or cut) Jones, his role could easily be filled (and improved upon most likely) by a number of candidates who will be available this Summer. As far as 30 year old backs are concerned, I'd rather have Edgerrin James right now over Jones. He's shiftier, a better receiver, a better blocker, a better player and a better human being. Arizona's run blocking was mostly an abortion although when the OL got its overall act together at the end of last season, James was easily their best back and he had some excellent games against some tough opponents. He was just released by the Cards and he'd be a perfect bridge/insurance policy between Leon and Shonn.
thomas jones is a feature rb. trade him and who have we got. leon washington is not an every down back and shonne greene is unproven as we speak.
Jones played well last season mostly because of our vastly improved O-line. Look at him the year before when he averaged only 3.6 yards per carry.
How is this even debatable? Jones is 31, with 1 or 2 years TOPS left in the tank... and he's also pretty average for the most part. B. Edwards has ELITE potential... and is very young. Now weather Edwards can fulfill that potential is debatable... but WRs with his size and speed combo don't come along very often, while HBs are a dime a dozen. The Browns would NEVER do a Jones / Edwards trade straight up, that would be ridiculous.
I have to agree. I don't even like Edwards but if we could get him for TJ straight up and work out the salary cap it would be absurd to turn that down. And yeah, the Browns would never make this trade.
Jones for Edwards is a steal and I'm not a big fan of bringing in Edwards. A 31 year old runnign back for a young receiver with #1 potential if he can somehow shake his case of the dropsies would be a no brainer. Sadly a trade like this will never happen in the currnet NFL trade market.
Why is that? TJ, as most NFL RBs who are not elite, are only as good as the OL they run behind. We have a shifty Leon + a Steam roller in Greene + whoever else they decide to bring in. As long as Greene can follow blockers, there is no reason for his running style not to translate to the NFL.
+1 You can have all the talent in the world. If your head is not screwed right, you're still worthless. Does "Dimitrius Underwood" ring a bell, anyone?
So how did this 'every-down back' perform when the likes of Anthony Clement and Adriene Clarke blocked for him? It's not even Barry Sanders behind porous Lions OL running the show. The problem is not Jones. It's Edwards - he's a worthless sack of shit with absolutely no clue as to how to be an NFL player.
The era of the Every down back has gone by the way side. Jones currently is removed for Washington often. He is an above average back, but at his age would have little to no trade value. He has maybe one or two very good years left and then will drop off quickly. Running back is the easiest position to make the transition from NCAA to NFL. If the Staff had enough faith in Greene to trade up, I would assume they have very little reservations about throwing him into the game early and often this comming season.
