Thomas Jones Holding Out? (1 Viewer)

[jbird5150]

Source: K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune

"The Bears' first mandatory minicamp at Halas Hall is June 2-4. That camp marks the first mandatory off-season commitment for veterans. Whether RB Thomas Jones reports will be the most closely monitored story line. Jones left the team's voluntary off-season program and expressed a desire to be traded when he finally grew tired of making less money than backup RB Cedric Benson. Agent Drew Rosenhaus represents Jones, and has had high-profile clients who have held out in the past."

If TJ doesn't report, Benson would become a huge steal in FF drafts, especially on a run-oriented team like the Bears.

And this is just the type of info that Indy has been waiting for. Think they have Rosenhaus on speed dial?

Stay tuned on this one. Could have HUGE ramifications.

 

[SoloMatisse]

Indy with Roshenhaus on speed dial?? You are kidding right? Believe me, Thomas Jones is NOT a hot commodity and teams are NOT lining up to speak with Drew Rosenhaus about him. Let that concept go. Jones better get his tail in camp because noone, including Indy, is paying him more than the over $2 mil he's due this year and next.

 

[Rounders]

It would be a bad move for Jones, if he decides to hold out. He will have no leverage and the Bears will move forward with Benson.

Bad, bad move for TJones if he holds out.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

It would be a bad move for Jones, if he decides to hold out. He will have no leverage and the Bears will move forward with Benson.

Bad, bad move for TJones if he holds out.

Maybe he can be in the next Guinness commercial.

"Brilliant!"

 

[P Boy]

Rosenhaus is at it yet again. How does this guy have any credibility with the players?

 

[T Man]

Indy with Roshenhaus on speed dial?? You are kidding right? Believe me, Thomas Jones is NOT a hot commodity and teams are NOT lining up to speak with Drew Rosenhaus about him. Let that concept go. Jones better get his tail in camp because noone, including Indy, is paying him more than the over $2 mil he's due this year and next.

I am sure plenty of teams would pay TJ more then $2 million for the next two years. The problem is that teams don't generally want to pay an older RB a BIG contract and part with a high draft pick. THat's why when Edge and Alexander were on the market last year, noone made the trade.While TJ is no Edge or Alexander, my guess is he sees this as his last chance to get a fat contract. Problem is that $2 million for a quality backup at RB is not too much. And if, he fails to show up, he will lose his starting gig. He just does n ot have any leverage.

In short, Holding Out is a BAD MOVE for TJ.

 

[P Boy]

I am sure plenty of teams would pay TJ more then $2 million for the next two years. The problem is that teams don't generally want to pay an older RB a BIG contract and part with a high draft pick.

You did see that there were all of 14 RBs taken in the past draft, didn't you? Right now the NFL has a glut of RBs. NO team will pay Jones the amount he wants, much less give up even a 3rd round pick to do it.

 

[zamboni]

I am sure plenty of teams would pay TJ more then $2 million for the next two years.  The problem is that teams don't generally want to pay an older RB a BIG contract and part with a high draft pick. 

You did see that there were all of 14 RBs taken in the past draft, didn't you? Right now the NFL has a glut of RBs. NO team will pay Jones the amount he wants, much less give up even a 3rd round pick to do it.

Agreed. TJ is a good player, but his fantasy value is much higher than his NFL value.

 

[TheFanatic]

Can we change the title of this thread? The story merely talks about the possibility of Jones holding out and how that would be a mistake. There is no evidence that he plans on doing so. They author merely states that this will be something the press will be watching.

 

[T Man]

I am sure plenty of teams would pay TJ more then $2 million for the next two years.  The problem is that teams don't generally want to pay an older RB a BIG contract and part with a high draft pick. 

You did see that there were all of 14 RBs taken in the past draft, didn't you? Right now the NFL has a glut of RBs. NO team will pay Jones the amount he wants, much less give up even a 3rd round pick to do it.

I did see that. Did you see TJ's performance last year ? I really don't see much of a disagreement here.

While I think that a team would be glad to pay TJ $2 million a year for a similar performance (regardless of whetehr a team took a RB in round 7), a team will not want to part with a high draft pick to the Bears. And, at this point, he is worth more then a sixth or seventh rounder to the Bears - especially at $2 million for 2 more years.

 

[Righetti]

If he holds out.. we could see a repeat of the Bears situation from last year..

with Thomas Jones playing the part of Cedric Benson

and Benson playing the part of TapDance Jones

 

[Mr. Chumley]

It’s a desperation move. He sees the writing on the wall and knows he will be the #2 guy this year. He's hoping that if he holds out and demands a trade now before he is bumped down the depth chart he may still get a starting gig with good money somewhere else.

Kind of like trading a hot player before he hits the hard part of his schedule and takes a nose dive. He wants to get as much as he can before his value drops.

 

[aposulli]

Can we change the title of this thread? The story merely talks about the possibility of Jones holding out and how that would be a mistake. There is no evidence that he plans on doing so. They author merely states that this will be something the press will be watching.

He hasn't attended any of the Bears meetings or practices as far as I've heard...

Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears RB Thomas Jones did not attend the team's first OTA practice.

 

[T Man]

If he holds out.. we could see a repeat of the Bears situation from last year..

with Thomas Jones playing the part of Cedric Benson

and Benson playing the part of TapDance Jones

I agree.

 

[SSOG]

It’s a desperation move. He sees the writing on the wall and knows he will be the #2 guy this year. He's hoping that if he holds out and demands a trade now before he is bumped down the depth chart he may still get a starting gig with good money somewhere else.

Kind of like trading a hot player before he hits the hard part of his schedule and takes a nose dive. He wants to get as much as he can before his value drops.

Sounds like a reach to me. I don't profess to know what Thomas Jones does or does not know, but it looks to me like the starting job is his to lose (such as by perhaps being an idiot and holding out).

 

[MKB4®]

Bears RB Jones and LB Briggs skip OTA

Jason Klabacha

5/25/2006

The Bears opened their first of 14 organized team activities on Wednesday, but two starters were curiously missing. LB Lance Briggs and RB Thomas Jones are both looking for new contracts and seem to be sending a message to the organization.

Although the OTA practices are voluntary, the absence of Briggs and Jones could be a sign of things to come considering each is represented by controversial agent Drew Rosenhaus.

“To me, right now it's about us putting our best football team on the field," Coach Lovie Smith said on the team website. "In order to do that, we need everyone here practicing. They're not here. That's hurting our ball squad to have two of our guys not here. I know there's business and it's volunteer workouts, but to me when the rest of your team is doing something, we need all of the team.”

The Bears will hold a mandatory full squad mini-camp June 2-4 at Halas Hall. In the meantime, younger players are getting a chance to show the coaching staff what they can do.

“Someone has to take those reps, so this is a great opportunity for (running back) Cedric Benson and a great opportunity for (linebackers) Rod Wilson, Jamar Williams, guys like that to step up,” Smith said.

Benson’s presence and the fact that he makes far more money than Jones, who has two years left on his contract, means the backfield situation is more of a hot button issue. Despite Jones coming off a 1,335-yard rushing campaign, he’s expected to compete with Benson for the starting job in training camp. Every practice, voluntary or not, Jones misses puts him behind. Much the same could be said a year ago when Benson missed all of training camp and the preseason before inking a five-year $17 million guaranteed deal.

The Bears have no replacement on the roster for Briggs, who is due to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Even though the team spent a fourth round pick on Williams, the Bears are inexperienced at linebacker behind their three starters.

At this point the situation is still in the developmental stages, but if either Jones or Briggs skip next week’s mini-camp it changes the dynamic. The Bears haven’t had to deal with veteran holdouts. A season ago, the Eagles and Packers fell apart amid locker room controversy stemming from Rosenhaus’ clients trying to publicly negotiate new deals.

With players due to report to Bourbonnais on July 26, how everything plays out over the next two months will have a major impact on the outcome of the 2006 season and beyond.

http://bears.scout.com

 

[TheFanatic]

Can we change the title of this thread? The story merely talks about the possibility of Jones holding out and how that would be a mistake. There is no evidence that he plans on doing so. They author merely states that this will be something the press will be watching.

He hasn't attended any of the Bears meetings or practices as far as I've heard...

He hasn't attended any of the voluntary ones. That happens a lot. Jeremy Shockey never did till last year when Eli asked that he leave Miami and come up and work with him. Even then he waited a week or so before heading north. This isn't a story until he skips some mandatory meetings or practices and the fines start accumulating.....

As someone who despises Rosenhaus, I think it would be fantastic if Jones sat out demanding a trade or a raise and lost the job to Cedric. Then we can say that Drew got Owens kicked off the Eagles and cost Jones his job in Chicago. Bad for Thomas Jones too, but I think it would lead people away from Drew in the future....

 

[BowlBound]

It would be a bad move for Jones, if he decides to hold out.  He will have no leverage and the Bears will move forward with Benson.

Bad, bad move for TJones if he holds out.

Maybe he can be in the next Guinness commercial.

"Brilliant!"

I'm not thinking its so much Guiness... Maybe Red Stripe.. " Red Stripe... Its Beer!"

 

[nygiants56]

It would be a bad move for Jones, if he decides to hold out.  He will have no leverage and the Bears will move forward with Benson.

Bad, bad move for TJones if he holds out.

Maybe he can be in the next Guinness commercial.

"Brilliant!"

I'm not thinking its so much Guiness... Maybe Red Stripe.. " Red Stripe... Its Beer!"

hooray BEER!!!!

 

[NoFBinLA]

Rosenhaus is at it yet again. How does this guy have any credibility with the players?

Fool me once, shame on you...Fool me twice, shame on me...

Fool me thrice and I'm clearly an idiot.....

One day the players will get hip to his crap....

 

[jafo]

Do you guys see this situation developing into a situation to be avoided? Obviously if you own Thomas Jones and Benson there are no worries, but it seems like drafting either of these guys could be a gamble.

 

[purestrength]

If Jones holds out, this will be be the dumbest decision in Chicago sports since that Bartman guy said, "Hey, a foul ball is coming my way. I think I'll try to catch it."

 

[TheFanatic]

If Jones holds out, this will be be the dumbest decision in Chicago sports since that Bartman guy said, "Hey, a foul ball is coming my way. I think I'll try to catch it."

Like you wouldn't have done the exact same thing Dude get over it. The Cubs suck and will always suck...GO CARDS!!!!!

 

[zamboni]

Do you guys see this situation developing into a situation to be avoided?  Obviously if you own Thomas Jones and Benson there are no worries, but it seems like drafting either of these guys could be a gamble.

Sure it could be a gamble, but it all depends on where you draft them. A low risk gamble could pay off handsomely.

 

[QUEZILLA]

My star player fired his agent and hired Drew Rosenhaus

 

[Bears_Man2]

Only downside for the Bears is that Briggs is also represented by Rosenhaus.

Whatever spew comes out of Rosenhaus's mouth ("you've got a much better chance of retaining Briggs if you pay TJ), the Bears really have to stand pat in the Jones situation. No one is going to give him the contract he desires & a Benson/Peterson combo is fine.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

Thomas Jones will be 28 this year. As far as RBs go, this is basically his last chance @ a major payday.

His options are:

a) Shut his mouth and keep the job from Benson/Peterson all year.

b) Try to get paid/released now.

He's under contract through 2007 IE he has two years left on his current contract. He has no leverage whatsoever. TJ watched Benson lose at a game of chicken last year. He'd be stupid to try the same thing. If he sits out, so what? The Bears just plug in Mr. #4 overall in last year's draft and keep it moving.

I can't think of a sane reason for him to holdout this year, unless he REALLY thinks the Bears will pay him, or trade/release him. I doubt either would happen.

If he shuts up and keeps the starting job this year, maybe some team will come knocking for him next year and give him a nice payday.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

They've missed no mandatory practices yet, so I don't see how this is any news.

 

[Raider Nation]

The Bears locked up Benson for $17M guaranteed. I can't see them allocating much more cash to the RB position, considering the kind of deal TJ is seeking.

On a side note, I'm a Benson owner. Even if Jones gets shipped elsewhere, I'm not all that confident that Ced can keep Peterson on the sidelines. Anyone who watched Chicago last year will tell you that Peterson was FAR more impressive than Benson. However, Benson's contract dictates that he'll get every chance to make an invisible man out of Peterson. That's the reality of the league.

 

[gang-wars]

They've missed no mandatory practices yet, so I don't see how this is any news.

News?He hired Drew Rosenhaus, and he wants to be traded. Mandatory mini-camps are coming. Drew pretty much wrecked the Philly situation for TO, and the GB situation for Walker. Unless Jones drops all his "demands", this isn't going to end very well for him.

You don't hire Drew unless you want a new contract (which he won't get) or you want out (which might happen). The starting job might be his to lose, but missing any camp is all it probably takes for him to lose it.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

They've missed no mandatory practices yet, so I don't see how this is any news.

News?He hired Drew Rosenhaus, and he wants to be traded. Mandatory mini-camps are coming. Drew pretty much wrecked the Philly situation for TO, and the GB situation for Walker. Unless Jones drops all his "demands", this isn't going to end very well for him.

You don't hire Drew unless you want a new contract (which he won't get) or you want out (which might happen). The starting job might be his to lose, but missing any camp is all it probably takes for him to lose it.

Ya.. ya.. ya... that happened several weeks ago. There is no news here whatsoever.KC Johnson is a lightweight. He friggin used ProFootballTalk.com as one of his sources in an article yesterday.

Mike Mulligan, Brad Biggs, Moon Mullin and Don Pierson are the only Chicago Bears reporters worth a crap.

I ask again, where is the NEWS in KC Johnson's report? It's OLD rehashed nonsense. Actually, it's a misleading TITLE to the thread, especially since the actual paragraph posted is an extra nugget and it's not even a major part of the article in the Trib. The article is more about Bobby Depaul being a candidate for the Houston job.

Thomas Jones has ZERO leverage. If he holds out, the Bears don't pay him. They trot Ced-Ben and A-Pete out at HB. Lance Briggs is another story - as the Bears are very thin at OLB....

....and a little more knowledge for you. Tommie Harris signed Rosenhaus as his agent after signing his rookie contract, and he's not holding out. Furthermore, Jerry Angelo and Drew Rosenhaus orchestrated the trade of Adawele Ogunleye to the Bears for Marty Booker and a 3rd rounder prior to the 2005 season - so it's not like the Bears don't know how to work with this jag.

 

[softball]

It’s a desperation move.  He sees the writing on the wall and knows he will be the #2 guy this year.  He's hoping that if he holds out and demands a trade now before he is bumped down the depth chart he may still get a starting gig with good money somewhere else. 

Kind of like trading a hot player before he hits the hard part of his schedule and takes a nose dive.  He wants to get as much as he can before his value drops.

Sounds like a reach to me. I don't profess to know what Thomas Jones does or does not know, but it looks to me like the starting job is his to lose (such as by perhaps being an idiot and holding out).

Could Be T Jones will feel like MORE of an idiot for being the starter who's getting paid less than the backup.....T. Jones to Denver! Because Dayne sucks and Bell is not the chosen one! And most of all? It would be great for Fantasy purposes!! (sorry, just wishful shouting outloud!!)

 

[Big Score]

I can't see them allocating much more cash to the RB position, considering the kind of deal TJ is seeking.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone actually know what kind of deal Jones is specifically seeking?(This goes out to anyone. Just quoted RAIDERNATION for the question)

 

[nygiants56]

It’s a desperation move.  He sees the writing on the wall and knows he will be the #2 guy this year.  He's hoping that if he holds out and demands a trade now before he is bumped down the depth chart he may still get a starting gig with good money somewhere else. 

Kind of like trading a hot player before he hits the hard part of his schedule and takes a nose dive.  He wants to get as much as he can before his value drops.

Sounds like a reach to me. I don't profess to know what Thomas Jones does or does not know, but it looks to me like the starting job is his to lose (such as by perhaps being an idiot and holding out).

Could Be T Jones will feel like MORE of an idiot for being the starter who's getting paid less than the backup.....T. Jones to Denver! Because Dayne sucks and Bell is not the chosen one! And most of all? It would be great for Fantasy purposes!! (sorry, just wishful shouting outloud!!)

i second that wishful thinking!

dayne? 3 yards and a cloud of dust. tatum bell stinks..

 

[jbird5150]

They've missed no mandatory practices yet, so I don't see how this is any news.

News?He hired Drew Rosenhaus, and he wants to be traded. Mandatory mini-camps are coming. Drew pretty much wrecked the Philly situation for TO, and the GB situation for Walker. Unless Jones drops all his "demands", this isn't going to end very well for him.

You don't hire Drew unless you want a new contract (which he won't get) or you want out (which might happen). The starting job might be his to lose, but missing any camp is all it probably takes for him to lose it.

Ya.. ya.. ya... that happened several weeks ago. There is no news here whatsoever.KC Johnson is a lightweight. He friggin used ProFootballTalk.com as one of his sources in an article yesterday.

Mike Mulligan, Brad Biggs, Moon Mullin and Don Pierson are the only Chicago Bears reporters worth a crap.

I ask again, where is the NEWS in KC Johnson's report? It's OLD rehashed nonsense. Actually, it's a misleading TITLE to the thread, especially since the actual paragraph posted is an extra nugget and it's not even a major part of the article in the Trib. The article is more about Bobby Depaul being a candidate for the Houston job.

Thomas Jones has ZERO leverage. If he holds out, the Bears don't pay him. They trot Ced-Ben and A-Pete out at HB. Lance Briggs is another story - as the Bears are very thin at OLB....

....and a little more knowledge for you. Tommie Harris signed Rosenhaus as his agent after signing his rookie contract, and he's not holding out. Furthermore, Jerry Angelo and Drew Rosenhaus orchestrated the trade of Adawele Ogunleye to the Bears for Marty Booker and a 3rd rounder prior to the 2005 season - so it's not like the Bears don't know how to work with this jag.

Well, as far as the "is this news or not" angle, I pulled this tidbit off of my daily Footballguys news email, so I guess you would have to take it up with Dodds and Co. to determine whether it's news or not. They obviously thought it was.And a couple of you have grumbled about the misleading thread title. You'll notice that I did not state that TJ WAS holding out...just that, with the circumstances that have lead up to this point, the possibility IS certainly there. Thus the question mark.

Hey, take it for what it is...speculation. Lord knows there's NEVER any of that in here.

 

[TheFanatic]

And a couple of you have grumbled about the misleading thread title. You'll notice that I did not state that TJ WAS holding out...just that, with the circumstances that have lead up to this point, the possibility IS certainly there. Thus the question mark.

But when the Subtitle says, "from the Chicago Trib," it makes it seem like you have more than a reporter that is saying that they will be watching closely if TJones shows up, which is pretty much a given. I mean if he didn't miss any of the voluntary OTA's and he didn't show up for one of the mandatory mini camps is the reporting insinuating that no one in the media would notice their starting tail back from last year was missing. This is the biggest non story, reporter-making-something-out-of-nothing yet the way it was presented it is as if there is something to this at this point and at this point there is definitely nothing to this story. If you want to post conjecture of hold outs for every single veteran that doesn't participate in the teams offseason voluntary conditioning program you are going to be wrong hundreds of times for the 4 times you are right.....

BTW, before you accuse me of being a TJones owner and just hoping for the best for my player I will say this, I do own him. But I also own Cedric and TJones holding out would actually benefit me so I'm not being a homer to my team. My position is when you see nothing don't go running back to the group all excited and ask them to come see the same nothing you just saw. In the end you just look silly....

 

[cstu]

Thomas Jones will be 28 this year. As far as RBs go, this is basically his last chance @ a major payday.

His options are:

a) Shut his mouth and keep the job from Benson/Peterson all year.

b) Try to get paid/released now.

He's under contract through 2007 IE he has two years left on his current contract. He has no leverage whatsoever. TJ watched Benson lose at a game of chicken last year. He'd be stupid to try the same thing. If he sits out, so what? The Bears just plug in Mr. #4 overall in last year's draft and keep it moving.

I can't think of a sane reason for him to holdout this year, unless he REALLY thinks the Bears will pay him, or trade/release him. I doubt either would happen.

If he shuts up and keeps the starting job this year, maybe some team will come knocking for him next year and give him a nice payday.

He doesn't have much leverage, but the Bears screwed him by drafting Benson and it's logical that he'd want out. I doubt he would have signed with the Bears as a FA had he known they'd draft a RB #4 overall. I think he's doing what he has to do to get out of Chicago where he knows his days are numbered. If I were in his place I'd probably do the same thing.

 

[cstu]

It’s a desperation move. He sees the writing on the wall and knows he will be the #2 guy this year. He's hoping that if he holds out and demands a trade now before he is bumped down the depth chart he may still get a starting gig with good money somewhere else.

Kind of like trading a hot player before he hits the hard part of his schedule and takes a nose dive. He wants to get as much as he can before his value drops.

Sounds like a reach to me. I don't profess to know what Thomas Jones does or does not know, but it looks to me like the starting job is his to lose (such as by perhaps being an idiot and holding out).

Could Be T Jones will feel like MORE of an idiot for being the starter who's getting paid less than the backup.....T. Jones to Denver! Because Dayne sucks and Bell is not the chosen one! And most of all? It would be great for Fantasy purposes!! (sorry, just wishful shouting outloud!!)

The Broncos would be idiots for not trading for TJ.:tjowner:

 

[fosio]

If he holds out.. we could see a repeat of the Bears situation from last year..

with Thomas Jones playing the part of Cedric Benson

and Benson playing the part of TapDance Jones

I agree.

I hope. TJ is a 3-down back in that he's proven to be a good receiver and can stay in on 3rd downs. What about Benson? I didn't follow him in college, but my recollection is that he's a runner and not much of a receiver (though don't quote me on that as it's just my speculation) which would make him a 2 down back and Peterson would spell him occasionally on 1st & 2nd downs and like be the 3rd down back.

 

[jbird5150]

And a couple of you have grumbled about the misleading thread title. You'll notice that I did not state that TJ WAS holding out...just that, with the circumstances that have lead up to this point, the possibility IS certainly there. Thus the question mark.

But when the Subtitle says, "from the Chicago Trib," it makes it seem like you have more than a reporter that is saying that they will be watching closely if TJones shows up, which is pretty much a given. I mean if he didn't miss any of the voluntary OTA's and he didn't show up for one of the mandatory mini camps is the reporting insinuating that no one in the media would notice their starting tail back from last year was missing. This is the biggest non story, reporter-making-something-out-of-nothing yet the way it was presented it is as if there is something to this at this point and at this point there is definitely nothing to this story. If you want to post conjecture of hold outs for every single veteran that doesn't participate in the teams offseason voluntary conditioning program you are going to be wrong hundreds of times for the 4 times you are right.....

BTW, before you accuse me of being a TJones owner and just hoping for the best for my player I will say this, I do own him. But I also own Cedric and TJones holding out would actually benefit me so I'm not being a homer to my team. My position is when you see nothing don't go running back to the group all excited and ask them to come see the same nothing you just saw. In the end you just look silly....

Dude...SPECULATION. That's all it is. That's 90% of what's on this site. I was only throwing it out there for discussion. And who gave us this "nothing" story? FOOTBALLGUYS. And if in the header of this bit of info is a name of a reporter and the paper of which said reporter works for, one can almost be certain that this bit of information came from said reporter who works for said newspaper. Hence the words "from the Chicago Trib".

Again, don't shoot the messenger.

Sorry if my thread title made you move your index finger a sixteenth of an inch on your mouse.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Must be the offseason.

I speculate that George Bush is a good president.

Time to make a message post.

 

[Christo]

If he holds out.. we could see a repeat of the Bears situation from last year..

with Thomas Jones playing the part of Cedric Benson

and Benson playing the part of TapDance Jones

I agree.

I hope. TJ is a 3-down back in that he's proven to be a good receiver and can stay in on 3rd downs. What about Benson? I didn't follow him in college, but my recollection is that he's a runner and not much of a receiver (though don't quote me on that as it's just my speculation) which would make him a 2 down back and Peterson would spell him occasionally on 1st & 2nd downs and like be the 3rd down back.

It wasn't that he was a poor receiver. Under Brown, Texas just isn't a team that passes to its backs a lot. When he did become a receiver, Benson's numbers were respectable: 69-620-3. At Virginia, Jones had quite similar numbers: 71-571-4.

 

[massraider]

Thomas Jones will be 28 this year.  As far as RBs go, this is basically his last chance @ a major payday.

His options are:

a) Shut his mouth and keep the job from Benson/Peterson all year.

b) Try to get paid/released now.

He's under contract through 2007 IE he has two years left on his current contract.  He has no leverage whatsoever.  TJ watched Benson lose at a game of chicken last year.  He'd be stupid to try the same thing.  If he sits out, so what?  The Bears just plug in Mr. #4 overall in last year's draft and keep it moving.

I can't think of a sane reason for him to holdout this year, unless he REALLY thinks the Bears will pay him, or trade/release him.  I doubt either would happen.

If he shuts up and keeps the starting job this year, maybe some team will come knocking for him next year and give him a nice payday.

He doesn't have much leverage, but the Bears screwed him by drafting Benson and it's logical that he'd want out. I doubt he would have signed with the Bears as a FA had he known they'd draft a RB #4 overall. I think he's doing what he has to do to get out of Chicago where he knows his days are numbered. If I were in his place I'd probably do the same thing.

Jones is in a crappy place, because he'll be 30 years old when this contract is up. Meaning, he's not getting a big deal.On the one hand, bummer for him. On the other hand, wasn't he the 6th or 7th pick overall his rookie year? Did he give Arizona any of that signing bonus back? No? Well, then Thomas, I guess it all balances out doesn't it, buddy?

 

[Holy Schneikes]

If I don't agree with Jones, it's pretty easy to understand.

As others have said, he's in a tough situation for a back his age. Prior to Benson, he had a chance to have another great year and THEN get another pay-day with the Bears or someone else. With Benson, that is unlikely. Now, he'll have a "relatively" low salary for a couple of years, and there's a chance he will be a backup at the end of those two years which would KILL his marketablity. This may be his last real chance to get paid, and he's taking it. It's not a great chance, but it might be a better chance than he has by just waiting until he's a 30 year old backup RB. Guys like that don't get big pay days.

Also (again as others have mentioned), he'll be starting ahead of a guy making a LOT more than he is. Wouldn't that piss you off? It would piss me off.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

If I don't agree with Jones, it's pretty easy to understand.

As others have said, he's in a tough situation for a back his age. Prior to Benson, he had a chance to have another great year and THEN get another pay-day with the Bears or someone else. With Benson, that is unlikely. Now, he'll have a "relatively" low salary for a couple of years, and there's a chance he will be a backup at the end of those two years which would KILL his marketablity. This may be his last real chance to get paid, and he's taking it. It's not a great chance, but it might be a better chance than he has by just waiting until he's a 30 year old backup RB. Guys like that don't get big pay days.

Also (again as others have mentioned), he'll be starting ahead of a guy making a LOT more than he is. Wouldn't that piss you off? It would piss me off.

When Thomas Jones sucked dong at Arizona, did he offer to give back all that 'high first round pick money'? Herein lies his answer. He shouldn't expect things to work both ways.

 

[Family Matters]

Well seeing how we're speculating, what about Cleveland? Would that be good fit? Drougn's is at risk of suspension. They've lost confidence on Suggs. Green isn't a guy they can count on for 16 games.

So what about a Jones for Suggs trade? Seems both teams would benefit. And Jones might get a legitimate shot at starting with Droughnd troubles.

 

[Bojang0301]

Well seeing how we're speculating, what about Cleveland? Would that be good fit? Drougn's is at risk of suspension. They've lost confidence on Suggs. Green isn't a guy they can count on for 16 games.

So what about a Jones for Suggs trade? Seems both teams would benefit. And Jones might get a legitimate shot at starting with Droughnd troubles.

I don't believe Phil Savage is dumb enough to deal with Rosenhaus and I'm a Steelers fan use to watching Cleveland make dumb moves... they won't happen anymore.

 

[jerseys finest]

Well seeing how we're speculating, what about Cleveland? Would that be good fit? Drougn's is at risk of suspension. They've lost confidence on Suggs. Green isn't a guy they can count on for 16 games.

So what about a Jones for Suggs trade? Seems both teams would benefit. And Jones might get a legitimate shot at starting with Droughnd troubles.

with some of the things that NFL players have gotten away with in their time, it would be a shame for droughns to get suspended for throwin his wife out the door for dropping the, "i want a divorce" bomb on him.. plus it seems she wants all the charges dropped and his lawyer has all the confidence that he wont see any backlash..i also dont think savage is willing to deal with rosenhaus.. he'll be lookin for top dollar for an aging thomas jones..

 

[TheFanatic]

Well seeing how we're speculating, what about Cleveland? Would that be good fit? Drougn's is at risk of suspension. They've lost confidence on Suggs. Green isn't a guy they can count on for 16 games.

So what about a Jones for Suggs trade? Seems both teams would benefit. And Jones might get a legitimate shot at starting with Droughnd troubles.

with some of the things that NFL players have gotten away with in their time, it would be a shame for droughns to get suspended for throwin his wife out the door for dropping the, "i want a divorce" bomb on him.. plus it seems she wants all the charges dropped and his lawyer has all the confidence that he wont see any backlash..i also dont think savage is willing to deal with rosenhaus.. he'll be lookin for top dollar for an aging thomas jones..

Yep, sure would be a shame for someone to suffer the consequences for assaulting his wife.

 

[Raider Nation]

As the original post indicated, Da Bearzzz minicamp is coming up this weekend.

chicagobears.com

Any word on if T.J. will attend? It says it's a full-squad minicamp.