Why did NYJ want LT over T.Jones? (1 Viewer)

[Black]

With the money paid to LT, why didn't the NYJ just renegotiate with T. Jones?

T.Jones was due $6 million in salary and bonus in 2010. He ended up signing with KC for two-years, $5 million.

LT signs with NYJ for two-years, $5.2 million (plus possible incentives taking him up to $5.7).

Why didn't NY just renegotiate with LT? Who would you rather have for 2 years/$5Mil?

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Assuming that Jones would have stayed for $5.1 million (big assumption), perhaps the Jets felt that Jones would not have been willing to be a 3rd down back? Maybe they were afraid that Jones would become a locker room cancer if Greene was handed the keys to the starting RB slot? Maybe they saw LT as more of a "team player"?

Or maybe they figured LT was a better pass catcher?

 

[ratbast]

Seems to me this was a mistake, but Im guessing LT is coming in with the knowledge that Green will be relied upon heavily. Jones might have not wanted to take a back seat. Why he signed with Charles I dont understand.

 

[destro]

Assuming that Jones would have stayed for $5.1 million (big assumption), perhaps the Jets felt that Jones would not have been willing to be a 3rd down back? Maybe they were afraid that Jones would become a locker room cancer if Greene was handed the keys to the starting RB slot? Maybe they saw LT as more of a "team player"?Or maybe they figured LT was a better pass catcher?

I think all of your guesses are off. Jones is pure class and always has been, even while the Bears jerked him around with Cedric Benson in town. I don't think you can find a better team player. He would never be a cancer, he knew that he was going to be a backup somewhere in 2010, and is an above average pass catcher. OP has a good question, and I don't know the answer...

 

[Truman]

Jones has been holding out for the last two off-seasons prior to this. He wouldn't have taken the deal he accepted in KC to stay with the Jets I don't think. Easier to bring in a new guy to complement the young stud anyway, rather than asking for a guy in the same mould to become his backup.

 

[jackdubl]

I just posted this in another thread. I think keeping TJ but forcing him to renegotiate and be demoted could lead to locker room division. Not because TJ is a bad apple or anything, but because the team could split on who the main guy should be. If the Jets go 2-4 to start the season with Greene as the lead back, many in the locker room would say Jones should be the lead guy. The O-line has already voiced their displeasure at the way the team released him. Bring him back and demote him...you'd better win or you lose part of the locker room.

Also, I think you can look at LT as a one year commitment with the possibility of two. No one knows if there's football in 2011, so there's one thing. The Jets could release LT after next season with no problems if it doesn't work out. They only paid an extra $100k/season for LT, that's nothing. So they're basically the exact same price. I'm sure the OC loves LT since he coached him in San Diego. LT is younger, though more mileage.

There's some possible reasons, though I'm just here.

 

[ninerfan]

I wonder how much Ryan's ego played into all of this. Going out and getting "his guy". Or, maybe ownership just views LT2 as a better marketing draw for the fans in both ticket and merchandise sales.

 

[Cassius]

They screwed up.

 

[QUEZILLA]

LT is going to sell a ton of jerseys.

 

[NYRAGE]

Jones had averaged 308 carries per season over the past 5 seasons. He racked up 1400 yards this year, but was only 28th in ypc. The Jets had a great run-blocking line, but Jones only averaged 4 yards per carry in 7 of his 20 games. In five of his last six games, he didn't even average 3 yards per carry.

Shonn Greene was going to get the starting job regardless this year. Jones was set to make 5.8 as a back-up. The Jets tried to renegotiate, but TJ declined whatever the Jets offered. TJ is a great guy, but the Jets were not going to extend his contract.

I'm guessing that the Jets could expect at least similar run production from LT with our blocking, if not better. LT is coming in to get maybe 150 carries, not 300. Plus I believe the Jets will pass a little more this year. LT offers more flexibility. He's a better receiver and can make the occasional pass. Team him up with Brad Smith and who knows what Schottenheimer can come up. The Jets ran barely any motion with TJ in the game. Once Leon Washington went down, the Jets eliminated the screen pass from their offense. LT offers that dimension if Leon is not healthy.

Will LT be an upgrade? I don't know, but I don't expect a drop-off for what he will be expected to do. Either way, Shonn Greene will get at the majority of the carries.

 

[Steelfan7]

Assuming that Jones would have stayed for $5.1 million (big assumption), perhaps the Jets felt that Jones would not have been willing to be a 3rd down back? Maybe they were afraid that Jones would become a locker room cancer if Greene was handed the keys to the starting RB slot? Maybe they saw LT as more of a "team player"?Or maybe they figured LT was a better pass catcher?

I think all of your guesses are off. Jones is pure class and always has been, even while the Bears jerked him around with Cedric Benson in town. I don't think you can find a better team player. He would never be a cancer, he knew that he was going to be a backup somewhere in 2010, and is an above average pass catcher. OP has a good question, and I don't know the answer...

I've heard conflicting stories about Jones and his being a good teammate. The stories I've heard are that TJ is all about the team as long as he is getting his, but if not then forget about it and team concept goes out the window.

 

[ookook]

The question is whether the rumor that TJ came back to the Jets with the KC offer is true or not.

One take would be that after the Jets went with Greene down the stretch a bit that Jones was miffed and wanted out.

 

[CalBear]

Why didn't NY just renegotiate with LT? Who would you rather have for 2 years/$5Mil?

Would I rather have one of the best RBs in NFL history who's 30 years old, or a moderately talented journeyman who's 31? Is this a trick question?

 

[Adebisi]

Why didn't NY just renegotiate with LT? Who would you rather have for 2 years/$5Mil?

Would I rather have one of the best RBs in NFL history who's 30 years old, or a moderately talented journeyman who's 31? Is this a trick question?

LT is no longer the player he once was. The Jets aren't getting vintage, all-time-great Tomlinson... they're getting a RB who was once exceptional but now is likely on the downside of his career.Anyway, to answer the OP's question, this wasn't really the Jets' call. They cut Jones and then asked him to come back for less pay. How many of you would come back if your employer sacked you and then asked you to come back for less money?

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Some fans out there will have Favre and LT Jets jerseys. Five years ago that would have sounded pretty strange.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Why didn't NY just renegotiate with LT? Who would you rather have for 2 years/$5Mil?

Would I rather have one of the best RBs in NFL history who's 30 years old, or a moderately talented journeyman who's 31? Is this a trick question?

Of course it's a trick question. You take the journeyman every time.

 

[cstu]

Besides the $3M extra for Jones this year, TJ wouldn't have been happy being Greene's backup while LT is highly motivated to do whatever it takes to win a SB. From a team chemistry perspective LT is far more valuable than TJ. They may also believe that LT could have a resurgence behind the Jets OL.

 

[CalBear]

Why didn't NY just renegotiate with LT? Who would you rather have for 2 years/$5Mil?

Would I rather have one of the best RBs in NFL history who's 30 years old, or a moderately talented journeyman who's 31? Is this a trick question?

LT is no longer the player he once was. The Jets aren't getting vintage, all-time-great Tomlinson... they're getting a RB who was once exceptional but now is likely on the downside of his career.

Sure, it's not 2005. He'll still perform better than Thomas Jones in 2010.

 

[bucksoh]

I'm not getting people around here the Jets OL made TJ and S. Greene look good/great but LT is gonna be Bad. LOL he is gonna be an ALL-PRO this

year book it.

 

[bucksoh]

Why didn't NY just renegotiate with LT? Who would you rather have for 2 years/$5Mil?

Would I rather have one of the best RBs in NFL history who's 30 years old, or a moderately talented journeyman who's 31? Is this a trick question?

LT is no longer the player he once was. The Jets aren't getting vintage, all-time-great Tomlinson... they're getting a RB who was once exceptional but now is likely on the downside of his career.

Sure, it's not 2005. He'll still perform better than Thomas Jones in 2010.

 

[fridayfrenzy]

My guess...

The Jets would have rather kept Thomas Jones but they went and asked him to take a paycut. Jones pours his heart and soul into the team and outplays his contract for the past few years, is one of the leading rushers in the NFL, and the Jets thank him for this by asking to take a pay cut? Jones was probably none too happy and it was moreso about the principle that he rather go elsewhere and make similar money to what the Jets were willing to pay him or another free agent.

 

[az_prof]

Besides the $3M extra for Jones this year, TJ wouldn't have been happy being Greene's backup while LT is highly motivated to do whatever it takes to win a SB. From a team chemistry perspective LT is far more valuable than TJ. They may also believe that LT could have a resurgence behind the Jets OL.

This.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I think TJ looked a lot better than he really was last season, and LT looked a lot worse than he really was (because of their respective offensive lines). We'll see what happens this year, but I think there's a decent chance that by December most people will judge LT to be the better back in 2010.

Either way, though, it's very difficult to be demoted to a backup role on a team where you're expected to be a team leader.

A lot of Charger fans were asking why the Chargers didn't keep Tomlinson as long as he's willing to be a backup. The thing is, just because Tomlinson is willing to be a backup on the Vikings or Jets doesn't mean he would have handled it well on the Chargers. On the Jets, he's not being demoted: he's a new player trying to fit in however he can.

The same is true for Thomas Jones and the Jets. It'll be a lot easier for him to handle being a backup in Kansas City than it would have been in New York.

LT and TJ are both better off getting a change of scenery.

 

[=Smackdown=]

LT is going to sell a ton of jerseys.

and hopefully some more PSL's.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Why didn't NY just renegotiate with LT? Who would you rather have for 2 years/$5Mil?

Would I rather have one of the best RBs in NFL history who's 30 years old, or a moderately talented journeyman who's 31? Is this a trick question?

I think watching both backs last year makes your question seem a lot more ridiculous than the OP's. More like:

Would I rather have 20% of one of the best RBs in NFL history who's 30 years old, or 75% of a moderately talented journeyman who's 31?

No matter how good LT was in the past, he doesn't have it anymore, and there's rarely evidence that he ever had it in his running. He's going down on first contact or no contact at all most of time. He can't keep his feet in his cuts. He has almost no explosion in the open field. Even his goal line running efficiency dropped off considerably. Jones was still a pounder last year, wearing down defenses, stamina to break long runs late in games, and in general, a viable NFL RB.

 

[zamboni]

My guess...The Jets would have rather kept Thomas Jones but they went and asked him to take a paycut. Jones pours his heart and soul into the team and outplays his contract for the past few years, is one of the leading rushers in the NFL, and the Jets thank him for this by asking to take a pay cut? Jones was probably none too happy and it was moreso about the principle that he rather go elsewhere and make similar money to what the Jets were willing to pay him or another free agent.

I would agree here.I'm not sure whether team brass made the right move in cutting Jones in return for LT, but Tannenbaum and Ryan obviously have a much better read on this team than we do. And given that they've done a great job so far in assembling this team, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. For now.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Why didn't NY just renegotiate with LT? Who would you rather have for 2 years/$5Mil?

Would I rather have one of the best RBs in NFL history who's 30 years old, or a moderately talented journeyman who's 31? Is this a trick question?

LT is no longer the player he once was. The Jets aren't getting vintage, all-time-great Tomlinson... they're getting a RB who was once exceptional but now is likely on the downside of his career.

Sure, it's not 2005. He'll still perform better than Thomas Jones in 2010.

If he performs better than Jones in 2010, it will only be because of the offensive line disparity in KC and NY, because LT had very little juice in his legs last year, certainly less than TJ.

 

[David Yudkin]

I think the funny part is that people are suggesting Thomas Jones, a guy that has bounced around the league and someone who is far from a household name, is the one being pegged with not being able to adjust to a lesser role and less money while LT, the multi-time All-Pro, former MVP, and face of the NFL that had a huge contract is the one being discussed as the one more equiped to deal with no longer being in the limelight.

 

[Tanner9919]

Why didn't NY just renegotiate with LT? Who would you rather have for 2 years/$5Mil?

Would I rather have one of the best RBs in NFL history who's 30 years old, or a moderately talented journeyman who's 31? Is this a trick question?

no actually it's not a trick question. would you want a guy who won't play hurt, disappears in postseason games,has lost his burst and acceleration, lost the things that made him special to begin with, or , would you rather have a great lockerroom guy, a competent RB who is a fan favorite who's given his blood sweat and tears for the Jets over the past few seasons, a guy who'll play hurt and give you 110% every game...30 or not, LT2's racked up a lot of mileage on those legs, and he's just plain 'hit.the.wall'LT2 is finished, he's not 1/2 the RB he used to be..at this rate they would have been better off drafting one of the flashy rookie RBs..but, if it's LT2's pass-catching abilities that you like, don't they still have Leon Washington on the roster? I mean,just last season he was considered by many on this board, to be a 'poor man's' Brian Westbrook....

point is, just look at what Cincy did with allowing TJ to walk last season...did Coles make them a better offense? heck no. how far would they have gone with TJ still on the roster? probably further than 1-n-done in playoffs..they became one-dimensional.

sometimes I think GM's get too cute with their salary caps, I would not have signed LT2...

for my money, I wouldn't sign LT2 for all the marbles..if I have a playoff contending team like the Jets do, I definitely do NOT want a diva on my roster that won't play hurt and disappears or flat-out doesn't play in postseason games...

I think they will regret releasing TJ..

and there's only one LT in the Meadowlands, so Tomlinson needs a new nickname.

 

[Loopdog]

Maybe they saw something on tape with LT that they liked and thought he could bounce back with better blocking up front? There was definitely a year there in Dallas where Emmitt looked like complete toast and he came back and had some serviceable years in Arizona. I think LT will be better than people think. Not vintage LT but I think better than he's shown the past two seasons.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I think the funny part is that people are suggesting Thomas Jones, a guy that has bounced around the league and someone who is far from a household name, is the one being pegged with not being able to adjust to a lesser role and less money while LT, the multi-time All-Pro, former MVP, and face of the NFL that had a huge contract is the one being discussed as the one more equiped to deal with no longer being in the linelight.

LT has seemed pouty on the sidelines more than Thomas Jones ever has.

 

[Reaper]

I think TJ looked a lot better than he really was last season, and LT looked a lot worse than he really was (because of their respective offensive lines). We'll see what happens this year, but I think there's a decent chance that by December most people will judge LT to be the better back in 2010.Either way, though, it's very difficult to be demoted to a backup role on a team where you're expected to be a team leader.A lot of Charger fans were asking why the Chargers didn't keep Tomlinson as long as he's willing to be a backup. The thing is, just because Tomlinson is willing to be a backup on the Vikings or Jets doesn't mean he would have handled it well on the Chargers. On the Jets, he's not being demoted: he's a new player trying to fit in however he can.The same is true for Thomas Jones and the Jets. It'll be a lot easier for him to handle being a backup in Kansas City than it would have been in New York.LT and TJ are both better off getting a change of scenery.

I'm still dying to hear form Jets brass though on this as well as TJ.... Still a little confused here.It's tough, as others have said, to see the guy who bled Green get the boot like this - Even the Jets were saying TJ was the guy who got the rock to seal the victory in SD when it mattered most.BUT... I also think a lot is being made over BACKUP Rb's.. Yeah, I know how much the Jets run and how important the running game is... I also think that if the Jets believe the OL is as great as they say, they can find a guy if need be later on. If you have the Dnever OL of old, then you MAKE RB's.I turned the radio on yesterday and the 1st thing I hear is this "The Jets were a half of football away from the SuperBowl and THIS IS THEIR ANSWER TO MAKE THE FINAL PUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!%$#$@*#"Man, the hyperbole KILLS ME... Yeah, this is the ONE move the Jets are making to try to put them over the top - and this was the radio host, not some call-in radical fan.Puhlease... We're talking a backup RB.....Also - Just maybe, with TJ being a lockerroom guy, just maybe they wanted to change the Dynamics of Jet leadership.... Maybe they feel it becomes more of Sanchez' team?Bottom line - Jet management is sitting on some information none of us have that is the key to all of this - Maybe TJ failed a drug test? Schottenhiemer's knowledge of LT also plays a role - he knows as much as anyone what he can do with the two players.As a fan, I'm going to have to wonder.. Miss the hell out of TJ and hope and pray LT still has something... VERY BALLSY MOVE BY THE JETS...... The lack of a cap only makes it seem more of a "Leadership" Power play than a money thing... they could have easily just given him the 6 mill for 1 year and moved on.

 

[Reaper]

The Jets are supposed to talk to the media today...

One thing I'm thinking is that we may never know how they truly feel about TJ... IF they think he's lost a lot or has any other 'problems'..

I'm expecting pretty standard "We love TJ, he was an amazing Jet, we wish him the best, it just didn't work out" kinda stuff.

They do have a lot of respect for TJ and took out a full page add in a KC paper to wish him well....

I can't see the Jets ripping TJ apart now in the media even if behind closed doors that's what they did, possibly believing he should have renegotiated and understood their business POV a little more or isn't the right kind of leadership right now for this team.

 

[Kit Fisto]

Assuming that Jones would have stayed for $5.1 million (big assumption), perhaps the Jets felt that Jones would not have been willing to be a 3rd down back? Maybe they were afraid that Jones would become a locker room cancer if Greene was handed the keys to the starting RB slot? Maybe they saw LT as more of a "team player"?

Or maybe they figured LT was a better pass catcher?

 

[Todem]

I don't know why they let TJ go and brought in a more beat up back in LT2.....however what I can see is LT2 behind a great OL putting up a good swan song season.

Don't be suprised to see LT battle for the starting gig....and at the very least be a TD machine inside the 20 and the 3rd down back.

Not a great thing for Greene owners IMO if LT2 stays healthy.

 

[Kiddnets]

We will never know the real reason but IMO that Indy game was damning to TJ. Greene went out and the running game went to hell with him. Even though he was banged up IMO they lost faith in TJ in that game and are hoping to catch lightening in a bottle with LT.

I watched a ton of SD games last year - LT definitely lost a step but that OL was putrid - he is going to be in heaven seeing those holes open up with the Jet OL - he still is a step slow to break the big one but I think he will have his moments this year and be a nice alternative to Greene. Leon is the one who is phased out by this move..

 

[David Yudkin]

We will never know the real reason but IMO that Indy game was damning to TJ. Greene went out and the running game went to hell with him. Even though he was banged up IMO they lost faith in TJ in that game and are hoping to catch lightening in a bottle with LT. I watched a ton of SD games last year - LT definitely lost a step but that OL was putrid - he is going to be in heaven seeing those holes open up with the Jet OL - he still is a step slow to break the big one but I think he will have his moments this year and be a nice alternative to Greene. Leon is the one who is phased out by this move..

So the Jets will bench the younger, big play guy with a career 4.8 ypc in favor of the older, slower, plodding back with 3.3 and 3.8 ypcs the past two years. Washington may not see much action if his leg is still banged up, but I don't see why LT would take away most of Washington's workload.Washington on over 800 yards from scrimmage (including 47 receptions) and 8 TD in a limited role in 2008. Do the Jets think LT is going to give them the same production as Washington did?

 

[thehornet]

Why didn't NY just renegotiate with LT? Who would you rather have for 2 years/$5Mil?

Would I rather have one of the best RBs in NFL history who's 30 years old, or a moderately talented journeyman who's 31? Is this a trick question?

wow, you are pretty far off-base on both points here. calling Jones moderately talented means you havent ever watched him play.

 

[QUEZILLA]

LT is going to sell a ton of jerseys.

and hopefully some more PSL's.

The loot they made off of the 1 year of Favre jersey's is probably still fresh in their minds.

 

[Todem]

We will never know the real reason but IMO that Indy game was damning to TJ. Greene went out and the running game went to hell with him. Even though he was banged up IMO they lost faith in TJ in that game and are hoping to catch lightening in a bottle with LT. I watched a ton of SD games last year - LT definitely lost a step but that OL was putrid - he is going to be in heaven seeing those holes open up with the Jet OL - he still is a step slow to break the big one but I think he will have his moments this year and be a nice alternative to Greene. Leon is the one who is phased out by this move..

So the Jets will bench the younger, big play guy with a career 4.8 ypc in favor of the older, slower, plodding back with 3.3 and 3.8 ypcs the past two years. Washington may not see much action if his leg is still banged up, but I don't see why LT would take away most of Washington's workload.Washington on over 800 yards from scrimmage (including 47 receptions) and 8 TD in a limited role in 2008. Do the Jets think LT is going to give them the same production as Washington did?

Yeah I can see that happening. Why on earth would you bring in LT2? No way they signed him to ride the pine.Just not going to happen. I don't disagree that Greene is the better option at this stage and Washington has proven to be a great change of pace back and special teams star but he is coming off a very serious leg injury. It is puzzling....but you throw around that 4.8 YPC like he has been doing it for 10 years. Greene was so super fresh compared to everyone on the field in the post season.Let's see him do that for 16 games. Then start pounding your chest about 4.8 YPC. Greene is a good talent....but not elite imo. On a team with a average OL he would struggle. He is not the type of back who makes bad lines look average and average lines look great. LT was that kind of back so I could imagine if he is healthy he will be a factor with a great OL. Flame away. But this aquisition has RBBC written all over it big time. LT will get plenty of work otherwise he would not be there.

 

[Kit Fisto]

We will never know the real reason but IMO that Indy game was damning to TJ. Greene went out and the running game went to hell with him. Even though he was banged up IMO they lost faith in TJ in that game and are hoping to catch lightening in a bottle with LT.

I watched a ton of SD games last year - LT definitely lost a step but that OL was putrid - he is going to be in heaven seeing those holes open up with the Jet OL - he still is a step slow to break the big one but I think he will have his moments this year and be a nice alternative to Greene. Leon is the one who is phased out by this move..

So the Jets will bench the younger, big play guy with a career 4.8 ypc in favor of the older, slower, plodding back with 3.3 and 3.8 ypcs the past two years. Washington may not see much action if his leg is still banged up, but I don't see why LT would take away most of Washington's workload.Washington on over 800 yards from scrimmage (including 47 receptions) and 8 TD in a limited role in 2008. Do the Jets think LT is going to give them the same production as Washington did?

Yeah I can see that happening. Why on earth would you bring in LT2? No way they signed him to ride the pine.

Just not going to happen. I don't disagree that Greene is the better option at this stage and Washington has proven to be a great change of pace back and special teams star but he is coming off a very serious knee injury. It is puzzling....but you throw around that 4.8 YPC like he has been doing it for 10 years. Greene was so super fresh compared to everyone on the field in the post season.

Let's see him do that for 16 games. Then start pounding your chest about 4.8 YPC. Greene is a good talent....but not elite imo. On a team with a average OL he would struggle. He is not the type of back who makes bad lines look average and average lines look great. LT was that kind of back so I could imagine if he is healthy he will be a factor with a great OL.

Flame away. But this aquisition has RBBC written all over it big time. LT will get plenty of work otherwise he would not be there.

This.

For the record, Washington broke his leg, not his knee.

 

[CalBear]

Why didn't NY just renegotiate with LT? Who would you rather have for 2 years/$5Mil?

Would I rather have one of the best RBs in NFL history who's 30 years old, or a moderately talented journeyman who's 31? Is this a trick question?

wow, you are pretty far off-base on both points here. calling Jones moderately talented means you havent ever watched him play.

Sure I've watched him play. I've watched him average below 4.0 ypc four different years. I watched him rush 310 times and only score one TD (on 3.6 ypc) his first year in New York. Just to give one example of how a RB who looks washed up can turn things around when his offensive line situation improves.

 

[Kiddnets]

We will never know the real reason but IMO that Indy game was damning to TJ. Greene went out and the running game went to hell with him. Even though he was banged up IMO they lost faith in TJ in that game and are hoping to catch lightening in a bottle with LT. I watched a ton of SD games last year - LT definitely lost a step but that OL was putrid - he is going to be in heaven seeing those holes open up with the Jet OL - he still is a step slow to break the big one but I think he will have his moments this year and be a nice alternative to Greene. Leon is the one who is phased out by this move..

So the Jets will bench the younger, big play guy with a career 4.8 ypc in favor of the older, slower, plodding back with 3.3 and 3.8 ypcs the past two years. Washington may not see much action if his leg is still banged up, but I don't see why LT would take away most of Washington's workload.Washington on over 800 yards from scrimmage (including 47 receptions) and 8 TD in a limited role in 2008. Do the Jets think LT is going to give them the same production as Washington did?

I think the Jets are not confident that Leon will be completely healthy week 1 and gave into the allure of LT to sell PSL's. Like it or not LT will take many of Leon's touches for a year - or they think a team may sign him for the 2nd rder and let him go.

 

[Aardvarks]

Seems to me this was a mistake, but Im guessing LT is coming in with the knowledge that Green will be relied upon heavily. Jones might have not wanted to take a back seat. Why he signed with Charles I dont understand.

Because they are the Jets.Look, it was a ###-for-tat, the two backs are essentially the same at this point. Both are 3.6-per-carry backs. The money is the same.

 

[Sammy Traveller]

i think another reason they went with LT was for his mentoring/veteran skills he could share with Greene. That would count for more than TJ could ever offer...and help team chemistry. Although I don't know much about LT's leadership skills in San Diego....if anyone could shed light on that.

 

[thehornet]

Why didn't NY just renegotiate with LT? Who would you rather have for 2 years/$5Mil?

Would I rather have one of the best RBs in NFL history who's 30 years old, or a moderately talented journeyman who's 31? Is this a trick question?

wow, you are pretty far off-base on both points here. calling Jones moderately talented means you havent ever watched him play.

Sure I've watched him play. I've watched him average below 4.0 ypc four different years. I watched him rush 310 times and only score one TD (on 3.6 ypc) his first year in New York. Just to give one example of how a RB who looks washed up can turn things around when his offensive line situation improves.

He's almost a 10K yard rusher and is a near lock to be inside the 20 rushers all time if he plays 2 more years. He is and has always been well-above moderately talented.

 

[Gr00vus]

With the money paid to LT, why didn't the NYJ just renegotiate with T. Jones?

Because LaDainian will offset a decent amount of his salary (if not all of it) in additional revenue that Jones would never generate. That is all. Bloom already nailed the current state of LaDainian on the field. Even if the holes were there he wasn't making much of them. I don't think there'll be any improvement replacing Jones with LaDainian, and quite possibly LaDainian will do worse on the field. I also doubt he ever sees year 2 of that contract. Once the market for Jets 21 jerseys dries up he's done.

 

[Gr00vus]

A lot of Charger fans were asking why the Chargers didn't keep Tomlinson as long as he's willing to be a backup. The thing is, just because Tomlinson is willing to be a backup on the Vikings or Jets doesn't mean he would have handled it well on the Chargers. On the Jets, he's not being demoted: he's a new player trying to fit in however he can.

It was never up to LaDainian to stay in SD. There was no way A.J. was going to pay him the money he'd want, regardless of his role.

 

[Donnybrook]

With the money paid to LT, why didn't the NYJ just renegotiate with T. Jones?

Because LaDainian will offset a decent amount of his salary (if not all of it) in additional revenue that Jones would never generate. That is all. Bloom already nailed the current state of LaDainian on the field. Even if the holes were there he wasn't making much of them. I don't think there'll be any improvement replacing Jones with LaDainian, and quite possibly LaDainian will do worse on the field. I also doubt he ever sees year 2 of that contract. Once the market for Jets 21 jerseys dries up he's done.

This is the thing that I would like to know most about LT's and TJ's respective contract. I know that TJ will make 3 M in year one but no one has reported how much LT will make in 2010. What if LT only makes 2 M? Would there be anyone questioning the Jets decision?

 

[David Yudkin]

We will never know the real reason but IMO that Indy game was damning to TJ. Greene went out and the running game went to hell with him. Even though he was banged up IMO they lost faith in TJ in that game and are hoping to catch lightening in a bottle with LT. I watched a ton of SD games last year - LT definitely lost a step but that OL was putrid - he is going to be in heaven seeing those holes open up with the Jet OL - he still is a step slow to break the big one but I think he will have his moments this year and be a nice alternative to Greene. Leon is the one who is phased out by this move..

So the Jets will bench the younger, big play guy with a career 4.8 ypc in favor of the older, slower, plodding back with 3.3 and 3.8 ypcs the past two years. Washington may not see much action if his leg is still banged up, but I don't see why LT would take away most of Washington's workload.Washington on over 800 yards from scrimmage (including 47 receptions) and 8 TD in a limited role in 2008. Do the Jets think LT is going to give them the same production as Washington did?

I think the Jets are not confident that Leon will be completely healthy week 1 and gave into the allure of LT to sell PSL's. Like it or not LT will take many of Leon's touches for a year - or they think a team may sign him for the 2nd rder and let him go.

It's been reported in the past few days that Washington is expected to be 100% in the preseason and that the Jets are expected to match any offers to keep him a Jet.