Wesson44 Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 Here we go...now lets sign the kid and get to the work of the playoffs!!! Ex-Lions RB Jones paying Bears a visit By David Haugh | Chicago Tribune reporter 12:24 AM CDT, July 15, 2008 Really, the Bears have been jonesing for a running game since trading Thomas Jones to the Jets in March 2007, a month after their last Super Bowl appearance. Can Kevin Jones help supply the potent 1-2 punch that has been missing since then? Apparently, the Bears are curious enough to take a good look at the ex-Lions running back, a former first-round draft pick who believes he can return to 1,000-yard form after two serious injuries the last two seasons. What's Goin' On: Offense raises more questions than it answers NFL sources said Jones was to take a physical and visit Halas Hall on Tuesday, one week before the Bears open training camp. No contract offer has been extended, but if the Bears are satisfied with the condition of Jones' surgically repaired right knee, it shouldn't be difficult to meet the veteran's terms. A source said Jones would accept a one-year deal to prove how healthy and effective he still is. Agent Tony Fleming told the Tampa Tribune late Monday that Jones would sign with the Bears or Steelers on Tuesday. Jones told the Tribune last month that the Bears would be his top choice among potential teams interested in him. Jones, 25, tore his anterior cruciate ligament Dec. 23, leading to his release by the Lions in March. But he vowed he would return to fulfill the potential he flashed as a rookie in 2004, when he gained 1,133 yards. Injuries to Jones' foot in 2006 and knee in '07 contributed to him gaining only 1,934 yards in three seasons after his rookie year. Jones staged an impressive workout June 28 to show how quickly he has recovered, and four teams attended the session in Saline, Mich. The Bears were not among those present. But the team did receive a videotape of the session and kept up with Jones more than they let on after Cedric Benson's release June 9. Initially, when asked about the possibility of signing Jones before the workout, team sources shot down the idea. The Bears have faith in second-round pick Matt Forte, but adding a veteran with Jones' potential, even if he's not cleared until early in the regular season, would decrease the pressure on the rookie. It also would give the Bears two legitimate options at the position, a must for NFL teams thinking playoffs. If the Bears sign Jones, it would allow Adrian Peterson to return to the special-teams role he starred in during 2006. Adding a fourth running back also would put Garrett Wolfe in a fight for a roster spot. Signing Jones would represent a gamble. But for a team tired of seeing its running backs losing yards, the Bears have nothing to lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixote Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 Now that would be great news if it comes to being. If he visits and we do not sign him I would not be upset because that means they suspect he is not going to be healthy enough to contribute. Why bring him in unless you are interested in signing him "IF" healthy? Then if they do not sign him then does that mean we bring in another option? This also means, as I suspected all along and said in several posts, Angelo isn't finished setting the lineup yet. There will be a few other surprise signings, and I suspect OL & WR may be in that area if a player he feels would be an upgrade becomes available at the right price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkBomber Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 I saw this title and thought they had already signed him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da Bears 88 Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 ESPN said he should sign with us or Pittsburgh today. C'mon KJ we need ya more than they do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaBearSox Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 ESPN said he should sign with us or Pittsburgh today. C'mon KJ we need ya more than they do! I don't understand why Pitt needs him??? Willie and Mendenhall already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 I don't understand why Pitt needs him??? Willie and Mendenhall already He's likely signing for the minimum, so Pitt sees no problem with bringing in added depth and competition at such an important spot for cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlithuanian Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 With Pitt, he'd also have more QB, OL, and WR stability...and a team that generally makes the playoffs every season. We, as a franchise, need to get in the same position as PIT...but, with us, he could legitimately start. He's likely signing for the minimum, so Pitt sees no problem with bringing in added depth and competition at such an important spot for cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 It looks like if Jones passes his physical with the Bears today, he will undoubtedly be a BEAR!!! Per Rotoworld: Kevin Jones, whose agent anticipates him signing with Pittsburgh or Chicago, will be at Halas Hall to take a physical for the Bears on Tuesday. Jones is expected to sign a one-year deal with either of the teams on Tuesday. It sounds like if Jones doesn't pass the Bears' tests, he'll sign with Pittsburgh. If Jones checks out well, he'll be a Chicago Bear. Jones' agent stated in June that Chicago would be his client's ideal landing spot. Free agent Kevin Jones is leaning towards signing with the Bears over the Steelers, according to Booth Newspapers. It's a virtual no-brainer. Even if the Steelers were offering a bit more money (which we doubt anyways), clearly the best opportunity for Jones to rehab his value is in Chicago. A deal could be completed by Tuesday night. Jones is expected to receive the league minimum on a one-year agreement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlithuanian Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 It certianly would appear so at this point. I'm all for it. Let it ride! It looks like if Jones passes his physical with the Bears today, he will undoubtedly be a BEAR!!! Per Rotoworld: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da Bears 88 Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 Looks like KJ will be a Bear tonight. It appears the Detroit Lions are going to see Kevin Jones again. Jones, the former Lions running back, flew to Chicago last night and is taking a physical today. According to a source close to the situation, he's leaning very strongly toward signing with the Bears and a deal could be done as early as today. Jones turned down more money and a longer term deal from at least one team, preferring to sign a one-year contract. While the Bucs and Steelers were interested in signing Jones, he believes the Bears give him the best opportunity to get some playing time. Jones is expected to sign for the league minimum (or close to it) and then become an unrestricted free agent in 2009. The Lions, saying it was a health and contract issue, released Jones earlier in the off-season. He had one year left on his deal worth $2.4 million and suffered a knee injury late last season. Jones, though, has had a speedy recovery and has already passed a physical with the Steelers. While the Lions did attend Jones' workout in late June, they never made an effort to re-sign him. Detroit, which already has Brian Calhoun on the roster, re-signed former players Tatum Bell and Artose Pinner and also drafted Kevin Smith in the third round. If Jones signs with Chicago, he'll face the Lions twice this season -- the first meeting will be in Detroit on Oct. 5. Link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DABEARSDABOMB Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 This is fantastic news. Glad to see the Bears didn't have there heads up there collective butts regarding this whole RB issue. Hopefully he passes his physical and will be good to go towards the end of pre-season. Having him here to help take the pressure off of Forte will be huge, plus Jones has shown he can handle a load at the RB spot previously in his career (although he never lived up to his hype coming out of the draft). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesson44 Posted July 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 LOOK OUT Detroit!! Jones signs with Chicago, he'll face the Lions twice this season -- the first meeting will be in Detroit on Oct. 5. He is going to be pissed and play that way as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balta1701-A Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 LOOK OUT Detroit!! Jones signs with Chicago, he'll face the Lions twice this season -- the first meeting will be in Detroit on Oct. 5. He is going to be pissed and play that way as well! He may very well not even be ready to play by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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