I agree that Rudi Johnson and Foster are done, but why not McAllister? I still think he's got some left in the tank and could fill the role of a three headed monster running attack like Baltimore. I would love to fill another hole with this team. There is no o-line depth and our wideouts are unproven. What better way to help out Sanchez than to give him a proven reciever he can throw the ball to. I think everyone believes that all Sanchez needs right now is good running game, but what about when he has to throw the ball? Give the guy a reciever he can confidently count on.
Thomas Jones value right now is the highest it will ever be for the rest of his career. Him leading the AFC in rushing isnt as big of deal as people make it out to be. Dont get me wrong its a great accomplishment but would it shock anybody if he had a bad year this season? We've seen that even sub par RB's can have good years behind a good offensive line. Now would I trade Thomas Jones? I dont know. It all depends on what I could get back for him. I'd probably trade him for a number 1 WR but would any team offer that? I guess it depends on the situation.
He's almost certainly going to be suspended for the first quarter of the season, as part of the StarCaps case. The team that's seen him close up throughout his career and has actually been looking for a third back to be a goal-line specialist and used McAllister in that role a year ago released him, and has no interest in bringing him back. He's had ACL surgery on both knees in the last three years and had another knee surgery after last season. When he was released he admitted that he couldn't pass a physical for another team, although he "expected to be ready for the start of the season." If he gets another job, it will only be after the first week of the season (so a team wouldn't have to guarantee his full salary), and probably only after week 4 (when his suspension will be over). Nothing against the guy, but I think he's done. By the way, people are mistaken in talking about the Ravens' "three-headed monster." After McClain emerged last season, McGahee barely played. He averaged 6 carries per game in the second half of the season, and he probably wouldn't have had that much had Ray Rice not been hurt in week 14 and on the sidelines for the final three games.
I love how greene is now almost as good as jones. The love for rookies is high. The truth is he is a unproven 3rd rounder. Sure he has upside but untill he plays and stays health we dont know what we got.
Now is not the time to trade Jones. Keep him through most of camp. See what else we really have besides Washington and Greene. If some big name goes out with a knee in the third week of camp and our backs look good to go without Jones THEN deal him when his value will be highest, as the Vikings contemplate life without Adrian Peterson or the Broncos get desperate because none of their backs are looking strong. The worst thing that could happen with that strategy is that the holdout turns bitter and we have to cut Jones in the end, which could always happen. The best thing that happens is we get a 2nd round pick for him from a suddenly desperate team. In between are all the scenarios where one of our other backs goes down with an injury and we actually need Jones for next season and it's worth making him happier with his contract to do that.
