It was a good run while it lasted. After three straight 1000 yard season in a Jets uniform, Thomas Jones will be released in the near future. The Jets want to avoid paying him his $3.3 million roster bonus and $2.8 million salary.
The move is bittersweet since Jones probably deserves the cash based on his previous contributions. At the same time, the Jets can get a more-than-adequate replacement for less than the $5.8 million Jones was owed for 2010. Last year, Jones earned a measly $900,000 base salary along with a $100,000 “workout bonus.” Clearly, this deal was structured in a way that was unlikely Jones would have ever been paid for the final year. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Jones will not restructure the contract in an attempt to stay with the team.
With Jones on the way out, the Jets still need to find a third running back. A few realistic unrestricted free agent candidates include Mike Bell, Chris Brown, and Larry Johnson. Out of that group, Mike Bell seems like a good fit to me. There are also a handful of restricted free agents that could make sense for the Jets. That group includes: Le’Ron McClain, Jason Snelling, and LenDale White. LenDale would work and the Jets could get him cheaply — but he also was not a fan of backing up Chris Johnson this year. That’s not exactly the best attitude for a potential RB3.
The Jets also have a number of running back options in the draft. It might make sense to take Javarris James (6′0″ 212, 4.56 40 time) in the fourth round or Keith Toston (5′10.5″ 213, 4.65 40 time) in the late rounds. Bruising backs LeGarrette Blount of Oregon and LSU’s Charles Scott could also be decent late-round options. Both weigh close to 240 pounds and clocked 40 times around 4.7 over the weekend. Toby Gerhart may have priced himself out of the Jets’ plans by clocking a 4.53 over the weekend.
Tags: 2010 nfl draft, contracts, cut, football, free agents, new york jets, NFL, release, running backs, thomas jones
