What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Player Spotlight: Thomas Jones (1 Viewer)

Jason Wood

Zoo York
2006 Player Spotlight Series

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Thomas Jones, RB, Chicago Bears

Player Page Link: Thomas Jones Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!

 
Rush Yards = 876

TD = 6

Rec yards = 150

TD = 1

His number are going to be determined by how many carries he loses to Benson. The bears have a lot of money invested in Benson and will want to see what they have been paying for - the trouble is Jones keeps producing.

Edit for grammer.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Get ready for a very wide variety of projections.

My thinking is Benson will get his chance, but he is certainly not guaranteed to hold onto the job (he didn't really impress last year)

The concerns about his health/durability I think are legit, and if he goes on the shelf, I don't doubt TJ will perform up to last year's #s.

So my projections are based on the assumption that he will lose some carries to Benson, but will carry the load in at least a couple games due to Benson wearing down or being nicked up.

Rush Yards = 1050

TD = 7

Rec yards = 150

TD = 1

 
To me the Chicago Bears RB situation is the type of thing that in the end vaults a fantasy team to championship contention, or unravels the whole season for you. Between what Jones showed last year, him now not showing up to camp, Benson and the huge contract, you have more to worry about before you even start to think about what either player could do during the year.

Both healthy and playing I do not think either will have a big year. Given the youth and contract of Benson I think if he shows sparks that may limit Jones' carries, I am not sure if the reverse is true however. Now if either gets hurt and misses substantial time, the other has huge potential, but I dont think u could draft Jones hoping that Benson gets hurt.

On some level it is similar to the conundrum the Chiefs had with Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson, and the performance of Johnson in 2004 translated into the 3rd of the carries while Priest was even healthy in 2005. The difference here is I don't think Jones is nearly as tough to bench as Holmes was infavor of a young emerging player.

Rush Yds= 850

Rush TD: 5

Rec Yards: 125

Rec TD:0

 
The Bears wanted to bench Thomas Jones last year for rookie top pick Cedric Benson, but Benson's holdout let the veteran cement his hold. Not this year. You don't pay Benson all those millions in guaranteed money to sit on the bench two years. Draft Jones and get your heart broken.

170 750 7.

 
T. Jones has been a top 10 back the last two years. I don't think Benson has the talent to unseat him.

I'd say T. Jones minimum carries is 250 barring injury and that is good value in the 4th round. I like him to finish more in the 290 carry range for 1200 yards and 8 TD's.

He is a huge value play in my eyes at this point.

 
Jones didn't learn from Benson's holdout last year, and he's going to pay the price for it. The two have swapped positions this season, this time Jones missing first-team reps while crying for more money. At the very least, this gives Benson a prime opportunity to demonstrate his skills that the Bears drafted him for. Jones will have the periodic injury, but will be back in time to compete for the job. He will certainly be in on third downs more than Benson, but Peterson will demand some touches there as well.

rushing: 195/750/5

recieving: 38/250/1

 
T. Jones has been a top 10 back the last two years. I don't think Benson has the talent to unseat him.

I'd say T. Jones minimum carries is 250 barring injury and that is good value in the 4th round. I like him to finish more in the 290 carry range for 1200 yards and 8 TD's.

He is a huge value play in my eyes at this point.
I with JoeT on this one. I'm expecting Lovie to lean on the vet until he gets dinged (he always seems to). But projecting injuries is no good, so I'll go with:288 carries

1180 yards

7 Tds

25 rec

160 yards

1 TD

 
Thomas Jones is good for 4 yds avg a carry when on the field. So the question is how many carries will he get? Based on last years numbers, and guessing Jones and Benson will split carries (they need to get Benson more involved if he is the Chicago Bears RB of the Future), I don't think Jones will get more than 200 carries. I do think he will still be the option at the goal line.

200 carries, 800 yds, 8 TDs

tack on 30 receptions for 150 yds, and 1 TD.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
T. Jones has been a top 10 back the last two years. I don't think Benson has the talent to unseat him.

I'd say T. Jones minimum carries is 250 barring injury and that is good value in the 4th round. I like him to finish more in the 290 carry range for 1200 yards and 8 TD's.

He is a huge value play in my eyes at this point.
2005 was the first and only time Jones ranked in the Top 10.
 
the Bears play only 1 team ranked in the top 10 defensively all year, Seattle..

outside of that, its a walk thru the park for this offense!

both RB's can co-exist, but my money is on Benson supplanting TJ at some point..

take a look at their schedule, its against some of the worst run defenses in the NFL..

the Bears should easily go 13-3 again, and the running game will be a huge part of that.

TJ

100-400-4

 
I can't see TJ holding off Benson this year. I'm guessing Benson is the primary ball carrier from opening day on. TJ makes a contribution only if Benson gets hurt.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
T. Jones has been a top 10 back the last two years.  I don't think Benson has the talent to unseat him.

I'd say T. Jones minimum carries is 250 barring injury and that is good value in the 4th round.  I like him to finish more in the 290 carry range for 1200 yards and 8 TD's. 

He is a huge value play in my eyes at this point.
2005 was the first and only time Jones ranked in the Top 10.
2004 must be down again?
 
I watched every single bears game last year, and one thing was abundantly clear: when Jones was on the field, the Bears had the best chance to win. I don't doubt that Benson will improve after being outperformed by third-stringer Adrian Peterson, but will Jones's abilities diminish? I see no reason to think so. I also don't seee him holding out of camp, as he showed for the mandatory mini-camp on time. He was demoted to second string primarily for disciplinary reasons, which IMHO was more for the benefit of the team as a whole rather than keeping him in line. Jones knows he has no leverage and also knows his best chance for getting his is to shine this season and hope for a trade.

People refer to Benson's contract but the Bears have an even bigger monetary commitment out there: to their fans. After last season's success and dismal playoff performance, bears fans are chomping at the bit for another chance. I truly beleive that Jones still represents their best chance to win, and that they care more about winning than getting the most out of a rookie contract. Jones will outperform Benson in camp and have a near repeat of last year:

300-1250-9 rushing

45-350-2 receiving

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Edit for grammer.
Awesome.Oh, TJ. Yeah, Benson will again prove he's not an NFL back, and TJones will have another solid production year, going for less than or later than he should in most drafts.

 
T. Jones has been a top 10 back the last two years.  I don't think Benson has the talent to unseat him.

I'd say T. Jones minimum carries is 250 barring injury and that is good value in the 4th round.  I like him to finish more in the 290 carry range for 1200 yards and 8 TD's. 

He is a huge value play in my eyes at this point.
2005 was the first and only time Jones ranked in the Top 10.
2004 must be down again?
2004 Jones, Thomas948 rushing yards, 427 receiving yards, 7 total TD

Fantasy Rank: RB 19

 
The Bears wanted to bench Thomas Jones last year for rookie top pick Cedric Benson, but Benson's holdout let the veteran cement his hold. Not this year. You don't pay Benson all those millions in guaranteed money to sit on the bench two years. Draft Jones and get your heart broken.
Tell that to Chris Perry
 
The Bears wanted to bench Thomas Jones last year for rookie top pick Cedric Benson, but Benson's holdout let the veteran cement his hold. Not this year. You don't pay Benson all those millions in guaranteed money to sit on the bench two years. Draft Jones and get your heart broken.
Tell that to Chris Perry
Chris Perry: 5 years, just over $7 million ($3.9 million in bonuses)Cedric Benson: 5 years, $35 million ($18 million guaranteed)

 
Last edited by a moderator:
T. Jones has been a top 10 back the last two years.  I don't think Benson has the talent to unseat him.

I'd say T. Jones minimum carries is 250 barring injury and that is good value in the 4th round.  I like him to finish more in the 290 carry range for 1200 yards and 8 TD's. 

He is a huge value play in my eyes at this point.
2005 was the first and only time Jones ranked in the Top 10.
2004 must be down again?
2004 Jones, Thomas948 rushing yards, 427 receiving yards, 7 total TD

Fantasy Rank: RB 19
I guess everyone plays by the same scoring rules on this board.I forgot I was in "mods are always right" land.

 
T. Jones has been a top 10 back the last two years.  I don't think Benson has the talent to unseat him.

I'd say T. Jones minimum carries is 250 barring injury and that is good value in the 4th round.  I like him to finish more in the 290 carry range for 1200 yards and 8 TD's. 

He is a huge value play in my eyes at this point.
2005 was the first and only time Jones ranked in the Top 10.
2004 must be down again?
2004 Jones, Thomas948 rushing yards, 427 receiving yards, 7 total TD

Fantasy Rank: RB 19
I guess everyone plays by the same scoring rules on this board.I forgot I was in "mods are always right" land.
Even in PPR leagues Jones was only ranked 16th that year. We're not always right, but I am curious as to what scoring system Jones was Top 10 in another season besides 2005.
 
How Benson and TJ split the carries is one debate, but another will be: Will teams allow the Bears running game and defense to dictate games again this year? Last year the Bears defense snuck up on everyone and dominated---some saw it coming, most didn't. This year, the Bears bolstered the depth on D through the draft and did basically nothing to improve the offense, although they did get Griese. Looks and smells like the same game plan. Teams will not be surprised this year--how long it will take opponents to stack 8 in the box and force the Chicago passing O to beat them?? Also, strong passing teams exposed the Chicago D a little (Carolina and Cincy off the top of me head), so it's not like they completely shut down everyone. The Bears offense was weak last year and was the very definition of managing the game. It's very possible to see Chicago have some from of RBBC, whether it's because TJ slows down a little or because they want to see what they have in Benson, but either way, it's hard to put a lot of faith in the Chicago running game from a fantasy perspective.

TJ will be lucky to get to last year's numbers and Benson will improve slightly (he had nowhere else to go). I see a slight increase in the Bear's passing O as teams stop the run some and force the pass more.

 
T. Jones has been a top 10 back the last two years.  I don't think Benson has the talent to unseat him.

I'd say T. Jones minimum carries is 250 barring injury and that is good value in the 4th round.  I like him to finish more in the 290 carry range for 1200 yards and 8 TD's. 

He is a huge value play in my eyes at this point.
2005 was the first and only time Jones ranked in the Top 10.
2004 must be down again?
2004 Jones, Thomas948 rushing yards, 427 receiving yards, 7 total TD

Fantasy Rank: RB 19
I guess everyone plays by the same scoring rules on this board.I forgot I was in "mods are always right" land.
Based on his numbers I'd say your league has "interesting scoring".
 
You mean our stellar Air Force 1 contingent of Grossman, Moose, Mark Bradley and Des Clark doesn't put the fear of God in you? Cmon!

Seriously good points, though I think the Bears did more than enough to adress their secondary with their draft and the signing of nickelback Ricky Manning Jr. It was exposed as the Achilles Heel and I think that practically dictated their draft. But don't kid yourself—every team we played last year knew exactly what was coming and the teams we beat simply couldn't do anything about it. I consider the playoff loss to Carolina an anamoly because all of a sudden it was our passing offense keeping us in the game and our defense couldn't stop squat. Pretty much an exact repeat of our playoff loss to the Iggles in 01-02. :bag:

 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top