I'm not too crazy about 30 year old backs but Thomas Jones has always been very consistent throughout his career, even last year. Also if we don't re-sign Sproles, we will also have to draft another back. If lucky, Ryan Matthews drops to the late 2nd or if not we just give Blount a try.
Or his O-line is all-world. Come on, his numbers were ridiculous, almost hard to believe. Shon Greene, #1 pick in fantasy next year?
My view is you don't do it for ANY above average RB who is past 30...Nobody, not even Thomas Jones..The only exception is if the RB in question is top shelf Hall of Fame unique...Only LdT fits this criteria. He has an uncanny ability to find the endzone and hold on the ball. He didn't get 3 NFL season records by accident, and I'd rather learn from LdT if I was a younger RB. Even with LdT, I want us to draft a RB,...Slaton may never recover. Foster may not continue what he shown in a couple games. Moats is nothing special.
same. Except I also think he's done WHILE I watch him put those numbers up. It's weird. I'm never impressed by him on the field. And yet he's managed some great seasons of late. I don't want him on the Texans because I still refuse to believe he's actually good (I have no justification--I just think he's been lucky or something) But if they go for it, I definitely can't fault them.. I think he'll be at the same skill level he was at last year for the next couple..
It's pretty amazing that he's hit 1000 yards in the last 5 years, but averaging over 300 touches per season for that long I would err on the side of caution about signing him. I hope he does well to show up the Jets for cutting him, but it'd be hard to watch him break down in a Texans uniform, knowing they probably paid him fat to take a chance and that they probably would not address RB in the draft until many later rounds.
Texans Considering Jones? Should Texans consider Jones? March, 1, 2010 Mar 14:17PM ETEmail Print Share By Paul KuharskyLaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook were quick nos for me when I lined them up with the Texans. Jerome Davis/Icon SMI Recently-released running back Thomas Jones could be a good fit for the Texans.Tomlinson’s simply worn down and Westbrook’s injury-prone and more of a dual threat than the goal-line short yardage banger the Texans covet. But Thomas Jones I’m not so sure about. Yes, everyone is wary of a back over 30 and Jones will be 31 in August. But the guy about to be released by the Jets is a sculpted. He’s coming off a season with the most carries of his career, averaging 4.2 yards a carry, the third best number of his 10-year career. In 148 NFL games over 10 years, he’s averaged 17.4 touches on offense, a significantly smaller number than LT’s 24.2. “I like him more than Westbrook and a lot more than LT, for anyone,” Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. told me. “Yes, he still has juice left and would be best in a tandem with a dynamic type (like a healthy Slaton). He isn't flashy, but he has a very professional approach to playing the position. He runs hard and doesn't make many bad decisions. It is a different scheme that what he ran in New York, but I do think Jones could be successful against unstacked boxes in Houston. Would say he is an above average goal line runner.” Ahman Green was a failed attempt at getting a veteran running back for Houston, but they were looking for a primary back then. Chris Brown was a failed attempt as getting a veteran complimentary back, but he was cheap and miscast. Jones could be a different deal if the price is right. I believe the Texans would like to draft a back. But after letting Dunta Robinson walk, their need list is pretty lengthy: corner back, running back, interior offensive lineman, interior defensive lineman, free safety. Go into the draft with five needs, the odds of filling them all sufficiently with first-year players seems slim. So I’d say they need to fill one or two of them in free agency -- by landing an unrestricted or by luring away a restricted with an offer sheet or through a trade. Given that, they have to seriously examine Jones, especially if no one else pounces on him when free agency opens Friday. “He's a beast,” says Tim Graham, my sworn enemy who works this job on the AFC East. “Known for being a freak in terms of his physique. He will be a good complementary back anywhere he doesn't have to shoulder the whole load. Not just goal line, either. He broke some long runs this past season.”
Yes I think Jones could do well here, if all goes well he would get another 300 touches and 1000 yards. But I still think they should address RB early in the draft; hopefully Gerhart. It would have a catastrophic effect if Jones begins his decline, at the cost of his higher salary, another bad rushing season, and passing out on talent that could be featurebacks in the following years.
Link? BTW...merge? EDIT: Link missing from the ESPN article: http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/post/_/id/9778/should-texans-consider-jones
Jones would be smart to sign with a team that actually has a decent OL. Ya know an OL which can get a good push and create opening to run through. Ya know that kinda thing.
Considering this may very well be his final contract as an NFL player, I doubt he's considering that over money.
well how about running in open lanes since defenses are worried about our aerial attack...You know that kinda thing.
