Did Pride Get In The Way For Bears

Did pride get in the way of the Bears bringing back running back Thomas Jones.

The Bears made a big splash in free agency last week signing Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna.

I have made my feelings pretty well known about the Taylor signing. For those expecting anything more from him then being a backup, you will end up being very disappointed. The Bears signed Taylor to a 4 year 12 million dollar deal with 7 of that being guaranteed.

Then yesterday the Kansas City Chiefs signed former Bear, Thomas Jones to a 2 year 5 million dollar deal. WTF?

Instead of bringing back a locker room and fan favorite in Jones they signed a career backup in Taylor. And better yet Jones took less money to join the Chiefs. Jones who seems to be breaking all the rules when it comes to running backs only seems to be getting better with age coming off a career year. During his three seasons in New York he totaled over 3800 yards rushing. Taylor only has 4300 yards for his career.

Would Jones have even wanted to come back to da Bears, the team he helped lead to a Super Bowl? I don't know but why wasn't he even mentioned.

Jones who was mistakingly traded away to the Jets when management cough Jerry cough decided that it was better to keep former 4th overall pick Cedric Benson instead of Thomas Jones.

Some may say Jones is too old or has too many miles on those legs, maybe.

Jones is only one year older then Taylor and unlike other lead backs like LT, he has not been a lead back his whole career. During his first three years while playing for the Cards he was an underachiever only totaling 1300 yards in three seasons. The one season he spent in Tampa he was a backup who got a chance to start at the end of the season and produced but still only added 600 yards to his career rushing total.

He then came to Chicago in 2004 and shared carries with Anthony Thomas on his way to rushing for over 900 yards. The next two seasons being backed up by Cedric Benson he rushed for over 2500 yards.

During his 11 seasons he has missed only 12 games with 7 of those coming in his third and final year in the dessert.

Wouldn't we love to see Matt Forte learn from Thomas Jones?

Wouldn't he look great in Mike Martz's offense?

Remember when Jones was drafted he was compared to Marshall Faulk as being a do it all back who could run and catch.

So why did the Bears not even give Jones a look? Was Jerry to proud to admit that he made a mistake?

I would hate to think that management could be so petty but it would not surprise me. I mean isn't that the real reason Ron Rivera was let go because Lovie wanted his defense run.

I view this as the second mistake the Bears have made this offseason with the first being them missing on Boldin.

Wouldn't you have preferred Jones over Taylor?