Thomas Jones trade rumors..agent change

RotoWire.com Staff - RotoWire.com
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Update: Amid trade rumors, Jones fired agent Tom Condon and signed with Drew Rosenhaus. In addition, he has stopped reporting for Chicago's voluntary offseason program, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Recommendation: With last year's first round draft pick Cedric Benson on the bench, there were bound to be trade rumors now that Jones' value is at its highest point following a 1,335 yard season. General manager Jerry Angelo did not deny an ESPN Internet report linking Jones to Indianapolis, but coach Lovie Smith insists that the Bears need at least two good backs to commit to the run game.

Thomas in Indy would be a perfect fit

Polian already said he doesnt want Jones because Jones and Rosenhaus want a new contract. Which means, hes not getting a new contract because he has no leverage with the bears and no team will want to give a guy thats had 1 good season a new contract, he doesnt deserve it.

The season before he was the majority of the Bear's offense, despite the injuries...I would say two good years in a row...and that is with a pathetic line that can't protect a qb. . .

Chicago had one of the top lines in the league last year.

You said the magic word though "injuries". Up until last year, TJ hadnt played in a full season. Even last year I think he missed 2 games. Durability is still an issue and there is just no way Chicago is going to give him a new contract when Benson is being paid what he is, not to mnetion Adrian Peterson averaged 5.1 ypc last year. TJ in alot of ways is a product of his line.(most running backs are)

Except for 2 small things...
one is his hands, he has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield (something that has been viewed as a question mark on Benson)

Second thing is his ability to pickup blitzers, something that is seldom looked at but is one of the biggest reasons Chicago went after TJ when they first did.

Except they arent going to give TJ more money just to pick up blitzes and catch passes. Peterson knows the blitz pickups and blocks very well. Peterson is one of the more underrated running backs in the league not to mention the all time leading rusher in 1AA. Even the biggest of Jones fans know that he is expendable. Running backs are a dime a dozen. If I were the colts Id rather draft Joseph Addai than trade for an aging running back wanting a new contract just because he made it through 1 year healthy.

What would do you all think about him going to the raiders? They have a decent back there already but could Thomas fit in there?

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Peterson is one of the more underrated running backs in the league not to mention the all time leading rusher in 1AA.

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Amen. Peterson could be an everydown back for almost any team. I could really see him in the Broncos system just tearing it up. I used to love watching him at Georgia Southern.

Its hard to say what teams would have interest in him. A sticking point seems to be Drew Rosenhaus. Bill Polian, the colts GM wanted no part of a trade after he found out that Rosenhaus wanted a new contract for TJ. Think about it though, if Jamal Lewis and Ahman Green cant get a good deal in free agency, there is no way that TJ is going to. Or at least I would hope it would be that way.

I like TJ, I hope the bears keep him and he has another good season but just because he had a good season doesnt mean he deserves a new deal. If thats the case, then I think he should have to give money back to the cardinals for all those bad years.

Kind of wonder about the Polian comment, considering that would be 'tampering' and you're not really supposed to discuss another teams contracted player (didn't we hear how I dont' know, Jerry Jones got in trouble discussing TO last year).

Second Ahman Green is great ...now, if of course he's healthy (wasn't he injured most of this year) He was a huge bust when he came into the league (fumble city). As for Jamal Lewis, he had the monster year yes but has ran like he did after his injury at UT, tentative. Hmmm wait both of those backs have injuries and such, not to mention Jamal had some prison time as well.

Come to think of it, the guy the Colts let go had a big injury question mark.

It's the NFL, every player is going to have injuries, or nearly every player. Does TJ need a new contract? Probably not, but how much respect do you think the Bears give him, so why not try to get out before they hand the position to someone else that they're going to try to do no matter how good TJ is (management hates to admit a draft mistake, come on), and shoot, if you wanna start handing money back to the Cards, how about handing more money to TJ for playing on those horrible Card teams. He might have had a much better career if he wasn't in the land where careers went to die [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

how can it be tampering if the colts contacted the bears about trading for Jones? Thats not tampering, thats just showing interest.

and no im not BSing you

Trade interest may not bother Jones
Source: Backup's bigger salary a sore point for Bears RB

By K.C. Johnson and John Mullin
Tribune staff reporters
Published April 23, 2006


The Bears have received trade proposals for running back Thomas Jones, but general manager Jerry Angelo insisted he hasn't initiated them and that he and the coaching staff agree two featured backs are a necessity for the team's run-first philosophy.

"If somebody calls me and wants to trade for a player, you listen to see if it will benefit the team," Angelo said. "But we're not going to trade Thomas just to trade him.

"When we drafted Cedric [Benson], we said it wasn't an indictment on Thomas. I signed Thomas as a free agent. We like Thomas. And we like the situation. It's competition."

The question is: Does Jones like it? Ever since the Bears selected Benson with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft, Jones has treated his presence as a bother.

Jones responded with the best season of his six-year career, rushing for 1,335 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Benson, meanwhile, had just 67 carries because of a lengthy contract holdout, Jones' success and his own knee injury.

Jones also missed one game to injury, giving credence to management's across-the-board contention that at least two bona fide backs are needed. Adrian Peterson averaged 5.1 yards on 76 carries, giving the Bears even more depth.

A source close to Jones said the veteran is tiring of looking over his shoulder at a player making more money than he does.

Although the deal Jones received in 2003 was nearly double his next-best offer, he is looking to improve on his $2 million base salary for this season.

That won't happen with the Bears, who have a sizeable portion of their salary cap already tied up in running backs.

Jones has left the Bears' voluntary off-season program and fired longtime agent Tom Condon in favor of Drew Rosenhaus. Jones is known for an intense off-season workout regimen and has worked with noted personal trainer Ian Danney in the past.

Indianapolis showed trade interest in Jones. But when word of Jones skipping the off-season program reached Colts President Bill Polian, the Colts dropped pursuit.
Other teams may enter the picture, although Angelo insisted both he and the coaching staff would prefer to see a happy Jones return.

Angelo also disputed published reports Rosenhaus asked for more money than Brian Urlacher earns in his negotiations to extend linebacker Lance Briggs' contract. The Bears' offer could be off the table for now.

"We're moving forward," Angelo said. "We're not at a stop sign now waiting for something to happen with Lance. We're moving down a path and we told the agent that as well."

and it wasnt a mistake for the bears to draft a running back. TJ hadnt even made it through a full season, they had no clue that he would have a 1300 yard season. There was never any proof that he could make it through 10 games let alone 16. They signed him for Terry Shea's air coryall offense in which the running back is a pass catcher. Lovie fired Terry Shea after 1 season and brought in Ron Turner. Turner employs a power run game and more smash mouth in between the tackles type running. Cedric Benson is the perfect fit for that system. Its not a mistake to draft personnel to fit your system. Ive seen alot of one season wonders, Anthony Thomas was rookie of the year in chitown, 2 years later he was gone. If Angelo wanted to get rid of Thomas then he would but he has said that he doesnt have any real interest in trading him unless its for the right offer. Thomas Jones is not that special, sorry. And Thomas isnt trying to get out of Chicago, Thomas is trying to get a new contract. If he didnt want a new contract he wouldnt have fired Condon for not getting it done.

So how did Edge have issues in Indy? If youre talking about a torn acl about 5 years ago then I guess ill have to agree. Otherwise, Edgerrin James may be the best back in the league and the only reason Indy didnt resign him is because they couldnt afford him.

Ahman Green and Jamal Lewis are more worthy of a big contract than Thomas Jones. That was my point.

Thomas is nothing special...yet you seem ready to annoint Benson as the king of the world. A rookie, who held out, got hurt and what....was good in college? How many of those have we seen....

So yeah, if I'm Thomas Jones, and I have shown my worth now, I'd want to be paid more than my backup.

Thomas had the problem of being drafted by the Hades of organizations, Arizona. Take a look at what has been ranked in the past, worst organizations, they were right there. Have they turned a corner now? Maybe. It appears they have, but lets not roast the player for going to a bad team. Right now, Thomas and Jamal came into the league the same year, yes Jamal had one monster year, but Thomas has actually played more games, so health, not so much an issue. He did however have to earn his time, and maybe he wasn't ready then, but I don't think that argument can be made now.

I do however think the argument can be made that we tend to try to support local talent here that makes it, could make it, or is trying to make it, while you have a bad habit of downing anybody local and instead talking about Willy Hypemore the superstar 8 year old that is being recruited by the Zagnut Zigs in the 10 and under league and is already attracting illegal recruiting visits from Miami [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

If and when Benson does start his performancce will be mediocre. He will be an "average" back at best. When I look at Benson I see Ki-Jina Carter and Rashaan Saalam. What I mean by that is that he is all hype and overpaid.

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Thomas is nothing special...yet you seem ready to annoint Benson as the king of the world. A rookie, who held out, got hurt and what....was good in college? How many of those have we seen....

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Where did I say Benson was going to be king of the world?

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So yeah, if I'm Thomas Jones, and I have shown my worth now, I'd want to be paid more than my backup.

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if thats the case, then Pittman should have got a raise for Jones being the backup in Arizona. The only reason Jones made more was because he was the 7th pick. The only reason Benson makes more is because hes the 4th pick.

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Thomas had the problem of being drafted by the Hades of organizations, Arizona. Take a look at what has been ranked in the past, worst organizations, they were right there. Have they turned a corner now? Maybe. It appears they have, but lets not roast the player for going to a bad team. Right now, Thomas and Jamal came into the league the same year, yes Jamal had one monster year, but Thomas has actually played more games, so health, not so much an issue. He did however have to earn his time, and maybe he wasn't ready then, but I don't think that argument can be made now.


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Please dont compare Thomas Jones to Jamal Lewis. Lewis started over Priest Holmes in Baltimore. Thomas didnt even start over Pittman. Do you really think Tampa Bay misses TJ, no.

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I do however think the argument can be made that we tend to try to support local talent here that makes it, could make it, or is trying to make it, while you have a bad habit of downing anybody local and instead talking about Willy Hypemore the superstar 8 year old that is being recruited by the Zagnut Zigs in the 10 and under league and is already attracting illegal recruiting visits from Miami


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Where have I downed local talent? First, I dont cheer for Julius because he played at notre dame, even though I like him personally. I said Hamilton wouldnt get drafted in round 4, 5, or 6. I still dont think he will get drafted. Im not downing Hamilton, but I dont want my team to draft him when there are other players out there. I would rather my team take a round 7 chance on AJ Nicholson or Marcus Vick than draft a guy that wasnt all that productive in college. Hamilton punched Brandon Merriweather in the nuts during the miami game this past fall. Why should I support a guy that takes cheap shots at the team I cheered for my whole life.

As far as Thomas Jones goes, Ive been a big fan, but Im not stupid enough to think he deserves a new contract. He doesnt even want traded, he just wants a new contract. Why doesnt he just play for what they paid him? He agreed to the contract, a matter of fact they gave him a very good contract. Its not like he got a rookie contract like Javon Walker. Lets just say this, Nathan Vasher and Lance Briggs are both making less than a million dollars a year for the bears, both are pro bowlers and the face of the franchise. Why does a running back that hasnt stayed healthy deserve a new contract before those guys. Dont you think if he gets a new contract, those guys will want a contract too? If he is so valuable why did the colts offer nothing more than a late 3rd round pick for him? Theres your answer, hes completely expendable. It doesnt matter if Benson is good or not, its the businss side of things. Jones has NO leverage to get a new deal. He is wasting his time trying to play hard ball with Jerry Angelo, its not going to happen. There is a certain thing called a salary cap which you obviously forgot about.

As for Heath Miller, go Heath. He played at an ok college, and plays for an ok team in the nfl. I admire his toughness to play the most dangeous position in the league.

Just because they are from around here doesnt mean squat, last year I said Benson needs to take what they are offering him and get into camp. Funny he held out for 2 months and Jerry Angelo gave him the same amount that he would have got all along. Im not stupid buddy, Jerry Angelo plays hardball, he doesnt give away free money. Lovie Smith is the lowest paid coach in the league. Angelo didnt put together a winner by being stupid. Hes one of the top 5 gm's in the league and Thomas and Rosenhaus wont win this one.

Like I told you over the weekend, mega, I totally agree with you. TJ completely screwed the pooch on this one. He could have accepted the trade to Indy with open arms and it could have been the best thing to ever happen to him. He doesn't deserve another contract yet, but playing one year in the Colts system, injury free, could have gotten him a big paycheck the next year for sure. Signing Rosenhaus is about the equivalent to career suicide for a marginal at best (for the time being anyway)player. I think he's made a huge mistake. Not only did he make a huge mistake by not going to an offensively driven team over a defensive team, but he's probably burned some bridges with the Bears and Angelo as well. He'd better enjoy this year with the Bears, next year he may very well be with the Browns, Bills, or some other lowly team needing a third down back.

I don't understand this. Thomas?

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Indianapolis showed trade interest in Jones. But when word of Jones skipping the off-season program reached Colts President Bill Polian, the Colts dropped pursuit.


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Guys i think the world of all our local talent and where they are. But a little common sense goes a long ways.
Thomas had a tremendous year last year. No doubt. But he was not the RB the Bears hung the hat on.
That is the big picture.
If anything go in and keep your job, basically over a rookie who has been in the hunt but not much playing time.
I'm afraid some of the problems our local talent have, is getting to eager, to be where they want and not what they should be.
Big difference and Thomas is no kid now. So honestly his future in the NFL is beginning to hit it's prime or beginning to wind down.
And no i love these boys. TJ, JJ, and JH. But they need to use some reality also. It's the NFL not college, if you wasn't drafted #1 you earn it the old fashion way.
Thomas i hate to say may of made a bad decision. I can undersand the frustration, but yet, longevity is the key of any RB in the NFL. And burning bridges in the NFL, well that don't go over good. Like any other job or occupation. Make a few wrong decisions or step on the wrong toes and find out.
I hope im wrong. Totally. But i don't understand Thomas holding out of a camp. That is uncharateristic, even if frustrated.

I think way to much is being thought of all of this at this point. Jones heard the trade rumors so he signed an agent they he thought could get a new deal done IF he was traded. Jones skipped out on "voluntary" workouts. Big deal. Its not like workaholic TJ isnt gonna be in shape for the season. TJ will not holdout, and until TJ actually speaks on this matter I dont believe anything thats is said.

Well lets just be realistic. Angelo wont give him a new contract though another team may. However, I really dont think Angelo will want to trade him. If he holds out for an extended period of time, Benson will be the starter in all likelyhood. If Jones doesnt hold out, Jones will be the starter and he will play for what he is getting paid. Theres just too many economic variables for TJ to get a new deal. Angelo would be the laughing stock of the league if he had 2 running backs making 35 million combined in guaranteed money. Briggs, Vasher, Tillman, and Grossman will have to be resigned in the next 2 years, you just dont let important cogs like that go to appease a running back who is already under contract who is has little trade value and a contract thats friendly.

Jones will either play for what hes getting paid with the Bears next season, or he will be traded and get a new contract with another team. Jones isnt gonna hold out, because he doesnt wanna give up the starting job to Benson. He should also know that if he does duplicate or improve on last years performance he probably will be traded and he probably will get a better contract elsewhere. I really dont think Jones believes at this point he can get a new deal from the Bears. So in all honestly to much is being made of this at this point. Jones has had about 3 or 4 different interviews since the season has been over. Nothing but good things were said. So dont believe anything til Jones actually says it. At this point all of this is speculation.

And to root for Miami your whole life, boy you've got some real problems!!!!!! [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] This college ball ain't life or death and Miami is not the program it used to be. If Justin gets drafted at all it will be a big deal around here. You are so negative all the time. People are tired of your snide comments. Just because the "U" didn't draft you for their mascot, you hold it against the entre world. Grow up dude, the "U" wouldn't pee on you if you were on fire!!!!!!

Well lets see Burrfoot, do you think Thomas Jones would p iss on your raggedy arse if you were on fire? Doubtful. I cheer for the canes, through and through, I contribute to the university just like Craziefather and all of the others. And Miami isnt what they used to be? Lets see, even in a bad year they still managed to win 9 games and stay as the winningest team of this decade. USC won 34 in a row and still couldnt catch them or Oklahoma.

Its ok though

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/7...failure1jc.jpg

he can carry Merriweather's bags next year.

p.s. Its comical that yall get mad at me for saying TJ doesnt deserve a new contract or Hamilton wont get drafted before the 7th round yet half of the clintwood people on here diss Ralph Stanley like he stole something. Seems to be a double standard.

btw, Im predicting Hamilton to get drafted 233rd by the rams if he gets drafted. If he goes higher then he goes higher. Even Mel Kiper doesnt have a crystal ball.

You are as full of it as they come! [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]


Polly, Pretty Polly!!!!!!!!!

heath miller plays for an ok team now?

winning the super bowl and going 15-1 the previous year just makes you an ok team.

I meant an ok team as in, they are likeable and easy to cheer for.