How come the Bears like Cedric Benson so much?

[maddogchen]

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The Chicago Bears reached a preliminary agreement to trade running back Thomas Jones to the New York Jets on Monday for a second-round draft pick.

A person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press the Jets will give up a second-round draft pick, 37th overall, for Jones, who rushed for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns in helping the Bears make the Super Bowl. The person did not wish to be identified because the trade has not been officially announced.

The 28-year-old Jones must pass a physical and agree to a contract extension before the deal is complete. The Jets also would receive Chicago's second-round choice, No. 63 overall, in the trade. New York would surrender the second-rounder it received from Washington in a previous deal.

The Jets have been looking for a No. 1 running back since Curtis Martin was sidelined a year ago by knee problems. Martin is expected to retire.

Jones, who also has played for Arizona and Tampa Bay, had big postseason performances this year. He rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the NFC championship game win over New Orleans, then had 112 yards on 15 carries in the Super Bowl. He has one year remaining on his contract.

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The Bears have decided to go with Cedric Benson, their first-round pick (fourth overall) in 2005, although Benson has not done much yet for Chicago. He also injured his knee in the Super Bowl and had only two carries for minus-1 yard.

Jones, the seventh overall selection in the 2000 draft by the Cardinals, rushed for 1,335 yards in 2005, becoming the second runnning back in Bears history to surpass 1,300. The other was Walter Payton.

He should fit well in the Jets' offense, which ranked 20th last season, but got a spark from Leon Washington. Washington is only 5-foot8, 202 pounds and not considered an every-down back.

The Jets recently waived Kevan Barlow and Derrick Blaylock, leaving them with Washington and Cedric Houston at running back.

Never could understand that. Didn't they see Benson in the SuperBowl? Who had a better game? Who had a better year? Who's been having great years for Chicago????

 

[waggy]

yeah i don't understand it either. WHY DID THEY TRADE HI!? ahh grr.

 

[vi edit]

Uhg. There has to be something else going on that I'm not seeing. Contract woes or a really bad blood between Jones and management/other players.

Something....

Benson is a bruiser of a back but has a body that can't tolerate his style of running. He hasn't played a full season yet without some sort of significant injury. I don't understand this move at all.

And they didn't get squat out of the deal. Jones isn't exactly a top name in the running back crowd, but he's reliable and durable.

 

[Turfzilla]

Benson had a higher Yards per carry average, and hes a stronger back, hes bigger and more physical. He can still break long runs. Maybe not as effectivly as Jones, but all in all it's a good move. Benson is younger too, and with him carrying the load now, you are going to see a break out yeah for the bears running back.

 

[zinfamous]

Absolutely idiotic. I hope the Bears go 0-16 next year for that ridiculously absurd move. Please let Rex stay healthy....

The Bucs were stupid for trading Jones, the Bears were stupid for drafting Benson and splitting his time. Poor Thomas Jones, he's been sh1t-on his entire career.....

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Turfzilla
Benson had a higher Yards per carry average, and hes a stronger back, hes bigger and more physical. He can still break long runs. Maybe not as effectivly as Jones, but all in all it's a good move. Benson is younger too, and with him carrying the load now, you are going to see a break out yeah for the bears running back.

I don't know. That's a hell of gamble for a guy that has spent a lot of time riding the pine with various injuries.

 

[waggy]

With the QB troubles they have why would they get rid of either one? htey need both of them.

i just don't get it.

 

[poopaskoopa]

I'd have to guess that Jones was the more tradeable(if that's a word) of the two. I believe Benson's contract has at least 17mil guaranteed and he's probably owed quite a bit of it still. Also, after the last 2 years no one's gonna give up anything for Benson and you can't have 2 starting RBs salaries on your payroll. At least that seems to be the prevailing sentiment in the NFL. So it could be that the Bears are stuck with Benson more than they wanted to keep him. But I don't know that for sure. Benson's also 3, 4 years younger. You can get like 4,000 or 5,000 more yards out of Benson before he reaches Jones' age(if he stays healthy, and that's a big if).

 

[chuckywang]

If Lance Briggs gets traded, then what will the Bears have become?

 

[cubby1223]

There are a whole host of issues the Bears will have to deal with not only now, but in the next two seasons.

Jones has been unhappy with his salary for the past couple seasons, and has wanted a long term contract. Can the Bears do that? Cedric Benson is the back management has wanted, so do you continue to keep both and have Benson remain in the backup role yet another year?

And if you have to pay Jones to stay, look at all the other players who become free agents after '07 or '08 season - Tommie Harris, Rex Grossman, Bernard Berrian, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Tank Johnson, Desmond Clark, Rashied Davis, Peanut Tillman, Nate Vasher. That's a helluva lot of players who are looking for sizable salary increases (save for Grossman & Johnson depending on their future performances). With the salary cap, the Bears can't keep everyone, so they really have to start making the hard decisions of who's staying and who's leaving. And it's unfortunate that Thomas Jones is the first to go.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: chuckywang
If Lance Briggs gets traded, then what will the Bears have become?

That ain't happening. For Lance Briggs to be traded, they must find a team who is not only willing to pay him $7.2 million next year, but also give up two first round draft picks to the Bears. In all franchise tag situations, the team has the overwhelming negotiating leverage for that next season.

 

[Accipiter22]

Originally posted by: poopaskoopa
I'd have to guess that Jones was the more tradeable(if that's a word) of the two. I believe Benson's contract has at least 17mil guaranteed and he's probably owed quite a bit of it still. Also, after the last 2 years no one's gonna give up anything for Benson and you can't have 2 starting RBs salaries on your payroll. At least that seems to be the prevailing sentiment in the NFL. So it could be that the Bears are stuck with Benson more than they wanted to keep him. But I don't know that for sure. Benson's also 3, 4 years younger. You can get like 4,000 or 5,000 more yards out of Benson before he reaches Jones' age(if he stays healthy, and that's a big if).

But the current trend in the NFL IS to have two starting RBs, most teams do a split now, after Denver had been doing it so succesfully.

 

[Acanthus]

2nd round draft pick?

Goodbye Hex Grossman

Jones for a capable QB would be a great tradeoff, considering Benson is a strong RB.

 

[paulxcook]

I believe Jones was the one pushing for this deal. It also sounds as if Briggs will not be playing for the Bears next season (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2788148). Given the way Lovie Smith was treated until the Bears were shamed into giving him a bigger contract, I think we are just hearing more clearly what many Chicagoans have known all along: Da Bears are a poorly run team that drives away talent.

 

[poopaskoopa]

Originally posted by: Accipiter22

Originally posted by: poopaskoopa
I'd have to guess that Jones was the more tradeable(if that's a word) of the two. I believe Benson's contract has at least 17mil guaranteed and he's probably owed quite a bit of it still. Also, after the last 2 years no one's gonna give up anything for Benson and you can't have 2 starting RBs salaries on your payroll. At least that seems to be the prevailing sentiment in the NFL. So it could be that the Bears are stuck with Benson more than they wanted to keep him. But I don't know that for sure. Benson's also 3, 4 years younger. You can get like 4,000 or 5,000 more yards out of Benson before he reaches Jones' age(if he stays healthy, and that's a big if).

But the current trend in the NFL IS to have two starting RBs, most teams do a split now, after Denver had been doing it so succesfully.

Scheme wise, yeah, Jacksonville, Indy, Denver, NE, Dallas, etc. But how many of those teams have about 8 mil tied up between 2 running backs? These two were both early 1st rd picks, although I'm not sure if Jones is still playing under the original contract.

I don't think a lot of the RB duos get paid as much as those two. I suppose I could look up players' salary to confirm for sure, but beyond for numbers beyond 2005 I have to try harder, so if you can find their number, let me know. I'm curious now.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
But the current trend in the NFL IS to have two starting RBs, most teams do a split now, after Denver had been doing it so succesfully.

Bears have Adrien Peterson to compliment Benson.

All that guy does is make big plays every time he touches the ball - which unfortunately has been very little due to the Jones / Benson mix.

 

[hdeck]

obviously you guys haven't followed how stingy the bears have historically been with their money. just look at the head coach situation. it's really simple, thomas jones was due a lot of money. they don't want to pay him a lot of money because they paid a lot of money to get benson with the 4th overall pick. much easier financially to get rid of jones, and move benson to the feature back role.

 

[Spineshank]

Hes been asking for the trade and hes got a year left on his contract. He would have walked in FA next year so its really a no brainer.

 

[oboeguy]

Jones wanted a trade and Benson is younger. Simple enough. OTOH, I think the Jets got the better end of the deal, wo0t!

 

[hdeck]

Originally posted by: oboeguy
Jones wanted a trade and Benson is younger. Simple enough. OTOH, I think the Jets got the better end of the deal, wo0t!

yeah the jets already had an extra 2nd round pick so it's not like they lost much of anything.

 

[49erinnc]

Well, I tagged Benson as a keeper in my fantasy league prior to this news so obviously, I'm thrilled with the move.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: hdeck
obviously you guys haven't followed how stingy the bears have historically been with their money. just look at the head coach situation. it's really simple, thomas jones was due a lot of money. they don't want to pay him a lot of money because they paid a lot of money to get benson with the 4th overall pick. much easier financially to get rid of jones, and move benson to the feature back role.

yeap thats the big problem. the bears just do not want to spend the money. the almost lost lovie due to it. now they lost Jones and are close to loseing Briggs.

 

[Chewy]

Originally posted by: Turfzilla
Benson had a higher Yards per carry average, and hes a stronger back, hes bigger and more physical. He can still break long runs. Maybe not as effectivly as Jones, but all in all it's a good move. Benson is younger too, and with him carrying the load now, you are going to see a break out yeah for the bears running back.

Actually, they both have an YPC of 4.1 last year. That actually surprises me about Benson - I would've thought he'd have less. Anyway, I predict the Bears dont' make playoffs next year: no Jones, no Briggs, no Rivera, and of course, still have Grossman.

 

[bignateyk]

Originally posted by: Chewy

Originally posted by: Turfzilla
Benson had a higher Yards per carry average, and hes a stronger back, hes bigger and more physical. He can still break long runs. Maybe not as effectivly as Jones, but all in all it's a good move. Benson is younger too, and with him carrying the load now, you are going to see a break out yeah for the bears running back.

Actually, they both have an YPC of 4.1 last year. That actually surprises me about Benson - I would've thought he'd have less. Anyway, I predict the Bears dont' make playoffs next year: no Jones, no Briggs, no Rivera, and of course, still have Grossman.

Thank god they'll still have Rex. I dont know what they would do if they lost him too.