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Former Jets running back Thomas Jones signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday. Jones signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Chiefs, but was this the right move for the veteran running back?The move is a no-brainer for Kansas City. You get a guy who has rushed for at least 1,100 yards in the past five season including two 1,300 yard seasons and one 1,400 yard season, and you get him at a bargain price.
Jones, who will be 32 during the 2010 NFL season is at that oh-so-dreaded age for running backs, but is he worthy of being thrown into the "old" category? In my opinion, that is unfair.
Jones has had only five years of heavy duty carries, and even as a number one back, has only gone over 300 three times, with the most recent being last season. Meaning, that Jones has significantly less mileage than your average 32 year old running back.
It's no secret that the Kansas City Chiefs, barring a miracle, are not competing for a Super Bowl in 2010, so why sign there? Even though Jones doesn't carry the same "mileage" as other backs his age, he certainly is running out of time to win a title (which has always got to be your goal).
Maybe the interest wasn't out there, but I highly doubt that a guy with the talent of Jones wasn't pursued by a number of teams, including contenders.
Jones will be taking a backseat role to Jamaal Charles who broke out last season after the departure of Larry Johnson. He will see 8-12 touches per game, and you've got to wonder if Jones will regret his decision to play with a non-contender during the latter stage of his career as a back-up.
