Making sense of the Thomas Jones trade
Wait, the Bears gave up Thomas Jones plus their second round pick and got what? Only a second round pick?! Why the hell would the Bears give up Jones and a second rounder just to move up in the second round?
Well, when you actually think about it, the move works out well for the Bears seeing as how Jones wanted out of Chicago and the team was ready to make Cedric Benson the feature back. Jones was either going to be a very unhappy camper playing second-fiddle to Benson next year, or the Bears could trade up 26 spots and get a solid contributor next year. On the surface, it sounds like a bogus trade, but Jones will be a free agent in ’08 and wouldn’t be a Bear next year anyway, so why not get value for him? Plus, moving up 26 spots is no small move for a team. Watch what draft wizard Jerry Angelo does with that pick after finding gems Devin Hester, Mark Anderson and Lance Briggs in middle rounds of previous drafts.
For the Jets, what a deal this was for them. First and foremost, they get a guy in Jones who only has carried the rock 1,349 times despite already being 28. Jones is still an explosive runner, is a solid option out of the backfield and a tremendous locker room guy. Pair Jones up with a second year back in Leon Washington, and New York has the makings of a very solid backfield. Plus, the Jets didn’t lose a draft pick and actually still have two selections in the second round.
I’d give the edge to the Jets, but both teams made out in this deal
I suppose the Bears wouldn’t have even considered trading Jones to the Packers.
I don’t think so John. Like I mentioned in a previous post, the general rule of thumb is that you don’t trade within your division under any circumstance. If it’s a free agent acquisition, obviously that’s a different story.
Plus, my guess is that the Packers wouldn’t have been able to get the Bears second rounder like the Jets did, because it’s 10 spots past the No. 37 pick. Teams have a value chart that they look at regarding the draft. So, in this recent example, Thomas Jones was worth a second round pick, but coupled with the Bears No. 63, the package was roughly worth the No. 37 pick in the draft (which is what Chicago received from NY). Each draft pick has a point total involved, so therefore it’s easier for teams to make trades for extra picks on draft day…for example, the #1 pick in the draft is worth 3,000 points, where as the 224 pick is worth 2 points.
Hopefully that makes sense, but the bottom line is that it would have been a long shot for the Bears ever to consider trading TJ to Green Bay…especially considering he plays a skill position.
AS
I am not suprised that the Bears made the move because they have another guy on the Team plus a small move upward in the draft doesn’t hrut. I also agree that you don’t help anyone in your division.
As for the Jets……..Jets Jets Jets……well look at you making a move. Maybe this isn’t going to be the same old Jets selling the fans hope and snake oil.
We’ll see, I’m running out of time with these guys……..