In one of my more recent posts -- Happy Trails x L.T. & Thomas Jones, both Tomlinson and Jones were looking for an organization to call home after being released by their former teams. And just two weeks later, both players have found a place to play, with one of them actually taking the former job of the other. When the New York Jets cut ties with their running back of 3-years -- Thomas Jones, many speculated it was to give rookie stand-out Shaun Greene more playing time and sole possession of the starting position. But now that L.T. will be donning a Jets uniform, the possibility of Greene being the front man is unlikely. On March 14th, the former 2006 NFL MVP who was cut by the Chargers, agreed to a 2-year deal worth $5.1 million dollars.
As for Thomas Jones who was cut by New York, despite having a career year (1,402 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns), the 2008 Pro Bowler will now serve his duties in Kansas City with the Chiefs. Jones signed a 2-year, $5 million dollar contract on March 9th. He'll form a tandem with Jamaal Charles, who led Kansas City in rushing last season with 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns. For Tomlinson, it was either New York or Minnesota as the top suitors for landing the 5-time Pro Bowler. Sources say Brett Favre was even a factor in trying to lure L.T. to Minnesota. Although his efforts obviously weren't enough to help the Vikings reel him in, it could answer the repetitive question of 'Will Brett Favre be returning again next season?' But with Favre, the world may never know...
At the end of the day, I question the move the Jets made, considering Jones had one of the best, if not the best year in his career, opposed to L.T.'s worst season in the NFL. & It's not like the Jets improved age wise by getting much younger, both players will be 31 years old once the season starts with Jones being 10-months elder than Tomlinson. They released someone who has grown accustomed to the Jets offense, registering back-to-back phenomenal years, for a player who's numbers have descended year after year. Sure L.T. might help sell a few more jersey's, but other than that, I don't get the reasoning of the move one bit at all.
The team L.T. now works for is bulking up on defense as well. A week and a half prior to the acquisition of Tomlinson, the Jets made a trade with San Diego for L.T.'s former teammate -- CB Antonio Cromartie. The signing has me pondering whether or not the 2007 Pro Bowler Cromartie played a similar role like Favre, as to trying to encourage him to play next year in New York. Regardless, the best defense in the league just got a whole lot better with Cromartie's addition. For someone who has some baby momma issues, a large sum of the money Cromartie will be making this year, is going towards paying off his child support. The Jets new cornerback has 7 different children, from 6 different woman, in 5 different states. I'm guessing this dude's never heard of a condom?
