Where Does Thomas Jones Land?

So one of the bigger name free agents this year is former New York Jets running back Thomas Jones. He’s aging, 32, but was still very productive for the Jets in 2009 totaling 1402 yards and 14 touchdowns. Pretty damn good numbers, numbers almost any NFL team would gladly take from their running back. So where could he wind up for 2010?

Sports Illustrated writer Don Banks made his predictions of where the top ten free agents should go, one of which was Mr. Jones. Banks predicts that Jones will sign with the Detroit Lions. Yea, you read that right the Detroit Lions.

Jones would actually be a VERY good fit for the Lions. Banks sights Jones tough style of play and his reliability, but more importantly that he can help take some pressure off young QB Matthew Stafford. He also mentions that Jones could fit in well in a lot of places (no shit) but this is where he predicts Jones will sign.

Now do I think this prediction will come true?? Not a chance. Why would Jones who just played in the AFC Championship Game go to a team that is perennially one of the worst in the league. I truly believe they’ll be some contenders calling and offering money, and now that Jones has a taste of winning he’s going to want more.

So what contenders would possible want a player like Jones? I’m thinking the New England Patriots.

While Banks predicts Jones will sign with Detroit, he also suggested that Jones should sign with the New England Patriots instead. That makes much more sense to me. He’d bring even more of a veteran presence to that offense but more importantly finally give the Patriots a legitimate running back to balance out the passing attack.

And you know what? It would add another wrinkle to the Jets / Patriots rivalry.

While I totally disagree with where Banks predicts Jones will wind up, I do like where he suggests the player should go. But you know what they’ll be even more options. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has his own opinion of where Jones could wind up.

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Adam_Schefter: Best I can tell, there are four potential landing spots for former Jets RB Thomas Jones: Cleveland, Seattle, San Diego and Houston.

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And you know what, his options also make a lot of sense. All those teams could use a solid running back and three of them are contenders.

Where Jones signs I don’t know but I think its clear to me what will happen. Jones will sign with a contender, not the Lions. Jones will want to get paid well, evident by refusing to restructure his contract for the Jets.

So my prediction is that Jones will sign with the contender that offers him the most money. So who ponies up?