jbalicki10
Footballguy
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...0,2216700.story
Kevin Jones offers his services to Bears
Ex-Lions RB thinks he would help
By Vaughn McClure | Tribune reporter
11:12 PM CDT, June 11, 2008
Shortly after the Detroit Lions released him in March, Kevin Jones made a phone call to Tommie Harris—a former rival on the field but a close friend off it dating back to their high school all-star days.
"He was surprised, just as a lot of people around the league were surprised," Jones, a free-agent running back, said Wednesday night. "I told him I'd love to come out there and that he needed to holler at one of the coaches for me. Tommie said, 'Yeah, I'll talk to them.' "
The Bears might not need Harris' prodding to make a move on Jones. His agent, Blake Baratz, called the Bears shortly after Cedric Benson was arrested for the second time in five weeks. Benson was released Monday, leaving the starting job in the hands of rookie Matt Forte.
Jones might not be bad insurance.
"Chicago would be the perfect situation," Jones said. "I'm familiar with the division. The Bears, they know what I have. I've made plays against them. I made plays against other teams in the league. Chicago would just be perfect. And I hope they know it would be perfect too."
The feedback Jones received through his agent is that the Bears like his ability but are in no rush to make a decision.
Jones, a former first-round pick who rushed for 1,000 yards as a rookie, continues to work out in Saline, Mich., trying to rehab from a torn ACL in his right knee sustained last season. He had a left-foot injury at the end of the 2006 season.
"To me, I'm a franchise player who just had a couple of unfortunate injuries back to back," Jones said. "It's a business. I know there are concerns about my health. But at the same time, I'm on pace to where I need to be to be successful this season."
Jones had planned a private workout for teams later this month, but he's more likely simply to send interested teams a highlight of his personal workout. You can bet the Bears will be on the mailing list.
"My career ain't over," Jones said. "And when I get on the field, I will prove it."
No big deal
Brian Urlacher's presence at organized team activities Wednesday fueled speculation that a contract resolution with the Bears is near. Not so.
No new financial terms have been discussed, although Urlacher's cameo appearance Wednesday—his first at a voluntary practice this off-season—could change the status of the talks by week's end.
Lance Briggs was absent from Wednesday's OTAs for undisclosed reasons.
Extra points
Running back Adrian Peterson had an appendectomy and was not at practice. He isn't expected to be out long. … The Bears announced that individual-game tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster at noon July 12. Tickets are priced from $68 to $350. There's a four-ticket limit for regular-season games and no limit for exhibitions.
Kevin Jones offers his services to Bears
Ex-Lions RB thinks he would help
By Vaughn McClure | Tribune reporter
11:12 PM CDT, June 11, 2008
Shortly after the Detroit Lions released him in March, Kevin Jones made a phone call to Tommie Harris—a former rival on the field but a close friend off it dating back to their high school all-star days.
"He was surprised, just as a lot of people around the league were surprised," Jones, a free-agent running back, said Wednesday night. "I told him I'd love to come out there and that he needed to holler at one of the coaches for me. Tommie said, 'Yeah, I'll talk to them.' "
The Bears might not need Harris' prodding to make a move on Jones. His agent, Blake Baratz, called the Bears shortly after Cedric Benson was arrested for the second time in five weeks. Benson was released Monday, leaving the starting job in the hands of rookie Matt Forte.
Jones might not be bad insurance.
"Chicago would be the perfect situation," Jones said. "I'm familiar with the division. The Bears, they know what I have. I've made plays against them. I made plays against other teams in the league. Chicago would just be perfect. And I hope they know it would be perfect too."
The feedback Jones received through his agent is that the Bears like his ability but are in no rush to make a decision.
Jones, a former first-round pick who rushed for 1,000 yards as a rookie, continues to work out in Saline, Mich., trying to rehab from a torn ACL in his right knee sustained last season. He had a left-foot injury at the end of the 2006 season.
"To me, I'm a franchise player who just had a couple of unfortunate injuries back to back," Jones said. "It's a business. I know there are concerns about my health. But at the same time, I'm on pace to where I need to be to be successful this season."
Jones had planned a private workout for teams later this month, but he's more likely simply to send interested teams a highlight of his personal workout. You can bet the Bears will be on the mailing list.
"My career ain't over," Jones said. "And when I get on the field, I will prove it."
No big deal
Brian Urlacher's presence at organized team activities Wednesday fueled speculation that a contract resolution with the Bears is near. Not so.
No new financial terms have been discussed, although Urlacher's cameo appearance Wednesday—his first at a voluntary practice this off-season—could change the status of the talks by week's end.
Lance Briggs was absent from Wednesday's OTAs for undisclosed reasons.
Extra points
Running back Adrian Peterson had an appendectomy and was not at practice. He isn't expected to be out long. … The Bears announced that individual-game tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster at noon July 12. Tickets are priced from $68 to $350. There's a four-ticket limit for regular-season games and no limit for exhibitions.
If he really wants to play for the Bears let's see if he'd be willing to take the veteran minimum. He ran around on a golf course and now wants a bunch of money. Good luck with that.
