Around the NFL
According to multiple media reports, the Jets will release Thomas Jones in the coming days. It's not exactly surprising, since the Jets didn't want to pay $6 million to an aging running back when they have a clear replacement on the roster in Shonn Greene.
It is, however, somewhat more fantasy notable than the announced releases of either LaDainian Tomlinson or Brian Westbrook last week. Tomlinson is a longshot to land a starting job elsewhere, after his play had clearly declined the last two seasons. Westbrook is a major injury risk.
Jones, however, comes off two of the best seasons of his career. It would be far less surprising if a team decides to sign him to be a starting running back next season. It also wouldn't be surprising if he has success with that team.
And whereas in San Diego it's unclear who the team's starter will be next year, and Philadelphia may employ some kind of committee with LeSean McCoy and perhaps Leonard Weaver and/or another back, Jones absence puts the second-year Greene squarely in the fantasy spotlight. New York's other tailback of note is Leon Washington, coming off a broken leg. The team will probably have another runner in the mix, either incumbent Chauncey Washington or another player, but Greene figures to be the main back.
Where will Greene be drafted? Ian Allan speculated in a recent mailbag that he'd be a third- or fourth-round pick; or at least, that's about where Ian figured he should be drafted. Once Jones has definitely been released, Greene (based on his play in the postseason) will probably go as early as the second round in most drafts. Everyone wants to grab a player on the eve of his breakout season, and that could be the case with Greene.
The New York Daily News talks about the Jets' running back situation as if Jones is already gone at this link.
--Andy Richardson
- Comments [0]
Readers' Comments
Add a Comment
Already a registered user? Please sign in to add comments.
To add comments, you must become a registered user of our site. To register, please click here.
