Source: Jets reach preliminary agreement to get Bears RB Jones THIS IS BIG FOR GANG GREEN-See Below
BY TOM ROCK AND BOB GLAUBER-Newsday
The Jets still have not signed any free agents during this offseason period that began Friday, but yesterday they took a huge step toward improving one of their weakest spots.
Instead of trying to keep up with the Joneses through free agency, they went out and got their own Jones.
The Jets have reached an agreement with the Bears to acquire running back Thomas Jones in a move that is contingent on his passing a physical and agreeing to a contract extension, a team source confirmed to Newsday last night. The trade could be completed today.
If the deal goes through, the Jets will receive Jones, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, along with the Bears' second-round pick (63rd overall) in exchange for the higher of their two second-round picks (37th overall), according to the source. The Jets acquired that pick in a deal with the Redskins and would retain their own second-round pick, 59th overall.
Jones had one year left on his contract with the Bears and was due to earn $2.75 million in 2007. If the Jets sign Jones, it likely will be for terms similar to the five-year, $25-million deal Travis Henry signed with the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent yesterday.
Jones was unhappy with the Bears when they picked Cedric Benson in the 2005 draft - he even skipped some offseason training with the team in protest before the 2006 season - but his discontent did not show up in his production. He ran for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns on 296 carries as the Bears advanced to the Super Bowl this past season and had 1,335 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 314 carries in 2005.
A first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2000, he did not begin to flourish until he arrived in Chicago and ran for 948 yards in 2004. He has averaged 4.0 yards per carry in his career.
The Jets struggled to replace injured Curtis Martin in 2006, eventually settling on a committee of backs, and averaged 108 rushing yards per game during the regular season. That ranked 20th; only the Ravens averaged fewer rushing yards and still made the playoffs.
In recent weeks, the Jets released Derrick Blaylock and Kevan Barlow, who once were considered capable of carrying the Jets' running game but were, by season's end, inactive due to coaching decisions.
The Jets will have second-year back Leon Washington and third-year player Cedric Houston to share the load with Thomas if the trade is completed. Washington showed game-breaking moves in his rookie season, but at 5-8, 202 pounds, there is doubt he can be an every-down running back.
Jones is listed at 5-10, 220 pounds. He'll be 29 years old when the 2007 regular season opens.
The deal would leave the Bears with Benson as their top running back. Benson injured his left knee in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLI last month and has 919 career rushing yards in his two NFL seasons.
And My Slant: People had said that the Jets were awfully quiet in not signing any big names in free agency so far. Well here is a blockbuster trade. Jones brings them a legitimate 20+ carry a game runner, which they lacked without Curtis Martin.
Ok, so he is 28 heading for 29. He still has at least 2-3 good years left infront of him barring serious injury, and the Jets have built an offensive line that will block for him. The competition is only getting stronger in the AFC east......
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Source: Jets reach preliminary agreement to get Bears RB Jones THIS IS BIG FOR GANG GREEN-See Below
BY TOM ROCK AND BOB GLAUBER-Newsday
The Jets still have not signed any free agents during this offseason period that began Friday, but yesterday they took a huge step toward improving one of their weakest spots.
Instead of trying to keep up with the Joneses through free agency, they went out and got their own Jones.
The Jets have reached an agreement with the Bears to acquire running back Thomas Jones in a move that is contingent on his passing a physical and agreeing to a contract extension, a team source confirmed to Newsday last night. The trade could be completed today.
If the deal goes through, the Jets will receive Jones, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, along with the Bears' second-round pick (63rd overall) in exchange for the higher of their two second-round picks (37th overall), according to the source. The Jets acquired that pick in a deal with the Redskins and would retain their own second-round pick, 59th overall.
Jones had one year left on his contract with the Bears and was due to earn $2.75 million in 2007. If the Jets sign Jones, it likely will be for terms similar to the five-year, $25-million deal Travis Henry signed with the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent yesterday.
Jones was unhappy with the Bears when they picked Cedric Benson in the 2005 draft - he even skipped some offseason training with the team in protest before the 2006 season - but his discontent did not show up in his production. He ran for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns on 296 carries as the Bears advanced to the Super Bowl this past season and had 1,335 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 314 carries in 2005.
A first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2000, he did not begin to flourish until he arrived in Chicago and ran for 948 yards in 2004. He has averaged 4.0 yards per carry in his career.
The Jets struggled to replace injured Curtis Martin in 2006, eventually settling on a committee of backs, and averaged 108 rushing yards per game during the regular season. That ranked 20th; only the Ravens averaged fewer rushing yards and still made the playoffs.
In recent weeks, the Jets released Derrick Blaylock and Kevan Barlow, who once were considered capable of carrying the Jets' running game but were, by season's end, inactive due to coaching decisions.
The Jets will have second-year back Leon Washington and third-year player Cedric Houston to share the load with Thomas if the trade is completed. Washington showed game-breaking moves in his rookie season, but at 5-8, 202 pounds, there is doubt he can be an every-down running back.
Jones is listed at 5-10, 220 pounds. He'll be 29 years old when the 2007 regular season opens.
The deal would leave the Bears with Benson as their top running back. Benson injured his left knee in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLI last month and has 919 career rushing yards in his two NFL seasons.
And My Slant: People had said that the Jets were awfully quiet in not signing any big names in free agency so far. Well here is a blockbuster trade. Jones brings them a legitimate 20+ carry a game runner, which they lacked without Curtis Martin.
Ok, so he is 28 heading for 29. He still has at least 2-3 good years left infront of him barring serious injury, and the Jets have built an offensive line that will block for him. The competition is only getting stronger in the AFC east......
BY TOM ROCK AND BOB GLAUBER-Newsday
The Jets still have not signed any free agents during this offseason period that began Friday, but yesterday they took a huge step toward improving one of their weakest spots.
Instead of trying to keep up with the Joneses through free agency, they went out and got their own Jones.
The Jets have reached an agreement with the Bears to acquire running back Thomas Jones in a move that is contingent on his passing a physical and agreeing to a contract extension, a team source confirmed to Newsday last night. The trade could be completed today.
If the deal goes through, the Jets will receive Jones, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, along with the Bears' second-round pick (63rd overall) in exchange for the higher of their two second-round picks (37th overall), according to the source. The Jets acquired that pick in a deal with the Redskins and would retain their own second-round pick, 59th overall.
Jones had one year left on his contract with the Bears and was due to earn $2.75 million in 2007. If the Jets sign Jones, it likely will be for terms similar to the five-year, $25-million deal Travis Henry signed with the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent yesterday.
Jones was unhappy with the Bears when they picked Cedric Benson in the 2005 draft - he even skipped some offseason training with the team in protest before the 2006 season - but his discontent did not show up in his production. He ran for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns on 296 carries as the Bears advanced to the Super Bowl this past season and had 1,335 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 314 carries in 2005.
A first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2000, he did not begin to flourish until he arrived in Chicago and ran for 948 yards in 2004. He has averaged 4.0 yards per carry in his career.
The Jets struggled to replace injured Curtis Martin in 2006, eventually settling on a committee of backs, and averaged 108 rushing yards per game during the regular season. That ranked 20th; only the Ravens averaged fewer rushing yards and still made the playoffs.
In recent weeks, the Jets released Derrick Blaylock and Kevan Barlow, who once were considered capable of carrying the Jets' running game but were, by season's end, inactive due to coaching decisions.
The Jets will have second-year back Leon Washington and third-year player Cedric Houston to share the load with Thomas if the trade is completed. Washington showed game-breaking moves in his rookie season, but at 5-8, 202 pounds, there is doubt he can be an every-down running back.
Jones is listed at 5-10, 220 pounds. He'll be 29 years old when the 2007 regular season opens.
The deal would leave the Bears with Benson as their top running back. Benson injured his left knee in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLI last month and has 919 career rushing yards in his two NFL seasons.
And My Slant: People had said that the Jets were awfully quiet in not signing any big names in free agency so far. Well here is a blockbuster trade. Jones brings them a legitimate 20+ carry a game runner, which they lacked without Curtis Martin.
Ok, so he is 28 heading for 29. He still has at least 2-3 good years left infront of him barring serious injury, and the Jets have built an offensive line that will block for him. The competition is only getting stronger in the AFC east......
Collins Returns to Titans as Back up
Collins Coming Back to Titans-See my end notes
By Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Veteran quarterback Kerry Collins, who began last season as Tennessee's starter, re-signed with the Titans on Monday as the backup to Vince Young.
A 12-year NFL veteran, Collins started the first three games for the Titans last season, before Young took over, throwing just one touchdown pass with six interceptions. He was replaced by Young, the third overall pick in the draft.
"A veteran quarterback that understands his role and that can be a sounding board for a young quarterback is a special commodity and one of great value for both Vince and this team," general manager Mike Reinfeldt said in a statement.
Collins said he's looking forward to continuing to play with Coach Jeff Fisher and offensive coordinator Norm Chow.
Over his career, Collins has started 148 games and thrown for 34,188 yards and 174 touchdowns. He ranks fifth in career passing yards among active NFL quarterbacks.
The fifth overall pick in the 1995 draft by the Carolina Panthers, Collins also played for New Orleans, the New York Giants and Oakland. His best years were with the Giants, who he quarterbacked to the Super Bowl after the 2000 season.
The Titans also released veteran tight end Erron Kinney.
Kerry returns to Nashville! Many might say WHY? But it's clear why. The $$$ he will make with little effort. Trouble is, he was in a similar situation in teh spring of 2004 just after the Giants made thedraft day deal for Eli Manning. Back then, Kerry didn't want to be a back-up, so he left for Oakland. Sorry to say that was a mistake for the Raiders and for Kerry. So now three years later,..it's ok to be Vince Young's back up. Sorry if that sounds Homer-ish. Unless Collins is another one of those players who took one look at the "Breath of Fresh Air" that was and is Tom Coughlin and said "NOT ME"
By Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Veteran quarterback Kerry Collins, who began last season as Tennessee's starter, re-signed with the Titans on Monday as the backup to Vince Young.
A 12-year NFL veteran, Collins started the first three games for the Titans last season, before Young took over, throwing just one touchdown pass with six interceptions. He was replaced by Young, the third overall pick in the draft.
"A veteran quarterback that understands his role and that can be a sounding board for a young quarterback is a special commodity and one of great value for both Vince and this team," general manager Mike Reinfeldt said in a statement.
Collins said he's looking forward to continuing to play with Coach Jeff Fisher and offensive coordinator Norm Chow.
Over his career, Collins has started 148 games and thrown for 34,188 yards and 174 touchdowns. He ranks fifth in career passing yards among active NFL quarterbacks.
The fifth overall pick in the 1995 draft by the Carolina Panthers, Collins also played for New Orleans, the New York Giants and Oakland. His best years were with the Giants, who he quarterbacked to the Super Bowl after the 2000 season.
The Titans also released veteran tight end Erron Kinney.
Kerry returns to Nashville! Many might say WHY? But it's clear why. The $$$ he will make with little effort. Trouble is, he was in a similar situation in teh spring of 2004 just after the Giants made thedraft day deal for Eli Manning. Back then, Kerry didn't want to be a back-up, so he left for Oakland. Sorry to say that was a mistake for the Raiders and for Kerry. So now three years later,..it's ok to be Vince Young's back up. Sorry if that sounds Homer-ish. Unless Collins is another one of those players who took one look at the "Breath of Fresh Air" that was and is Tom Coughlin and said "NOT ME"
