[EmpireWF]

The Jets have acquired RB Thomas Jones from the Chicago Bears for a 2007 2nd round draft pick.

Pretty good deal for Gang Green. Jones was great for the Bears last year. And with Leon Washington and Cedric Houston backing him up, they should have a good run game.

Anyone disagree?

[ThePundit]

It's definitely an upgrade for the Jets, but I don't know if it's worth their 2nd round pick. That pick is in the 57th pick I think. Every time the Jets trade these picks for veterans, they rarely pan out. Ex: Kevin barlow, Doug Jolley, etc....

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

It's definitely an upgrade for the Jets, but I don't know if it's worth their 2nd round pick. That pick is in the 57th pick I think. Every time the Jets trade these picks for veterans, they rarely pan out. Ex: Kevin barlow, Doug Jolley, etc....

The deal actually was Jones and the Bears 2nd round pick for the Jets 2nd round pick. They just traded down a bit and picked up a darn good RB in the process. Great deal for the Jets. What the heck were the Bears thinking? They didn't even add a pick; they just moved up!

[EmpireWF]

Thanks for the update Lefty. Definitely a good move for the Jets. Jones is a proven NFL back. And all they had to do was move down a few spots in the second round.

In the first now, they can focus on perhaps the WR position or defense.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Great deal for the Jets. What the heck were the Bears thinking? They didn't even add a pick; they just moved up!

I think because the Bears have Cedric Benson, they didn't want to give Jones a contract extension.

Jones should be an extremely happy camper once the paperwork and physical are completed. He’ll get the contract extension he desperately sought in Chicago, there’s no question he’ll be the Jets’ No. 1 back, even if Leon Washington/Cedric Houston carry some of the load

Jets Journal » Blog Archive » Waiting, waiting…

[ThePundit]

Then again. Here's what Bears fan thinks:

Why trade Thomas Jones?

By trading Thomas Jones to the Jets, the Bears just put a whole lot of stock in Cedric Benson, and they had better hope it works out.

This could be a big mistake. Despite doing everything they could to give Benson the starting tailback job in Chicago for two years straight, Thomas Jones emerged as the #1 back. He ran with power and speed, caught the ball out of the backfield and put up numbers that ranked among the top backs in the league. In doing so, he became the most important offensive player on the team, and the emotional leader on a squad with the shakiest of shaky quarterbacks.

Benson has not yet lived up to his draft hype coming out of Texas. He has battled through knee and shoulder injuries, and largely underperformed, although he showed signs of ability last season. The great news for Bears fans is that Benson now feels he doesn't have to compete for his job anymore: "It was hard because for the most part, the way he felt about our situation was competition, so it was hard to find a relaxed place." Yes, that's what you want. To hand the job to a guy who hasn't earned it on a platter.

The only reason to move Jones for a draft pick at this point is if you are 100% sure Benson is ready to take over. Yes, Jones will be 29 this season, but - like Benson - his career also got off to a slow start. After being the #7 overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals, Jones struggled with injuries and playing time for his first four years in the league. He has only carried a "full-time" load for the past three seasons, and even those were split by Benson and others. Jones should have at least a few more good seasons in him, and it is difficult to justify trading someone with his ability, work ethic and leadership.

Instead, they should have moved Benson. But, of course, GM Jerry Angelo - he of the recent contract extension - picked Benson with the #4 overall pick in 2005. And that would be admitting to a rather large error.

Why trade Thomas Jones? (Sports Frog)

[vincesanity82]

Good move for the jets bad one for the bears..

[Nuke]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

Good move for the jets bad one for the bears..

What a move for the Jets!!! They now have that power running game they so desperately needed and all it cost them was draft positioning in the second round??? Talk about a no brainer!!!

[MJHMarc]

Yes, and they got a 3rd rounder in return.

Nice job, Mr. T!

[Nuke]

Surely in this years draft the Jets go defense with a DT or a OLB now that the running game is seemingly settled.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

It's definitely an upgrade for the Jets, but I don't know if it's worth their 2nd round pick. That pick is in the 57th pick I think. Every time the Jets trade these picks for veterans, they rarely pan out. Ex: Kevin barlow, Doug Jolley, etc....

Dude, what's there to take at 57th that is a sure thing?