Wesson44 Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Jones has suitors but wants to stay with Bears Recommend (4) Comments March 1, 2009 BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs@suntimes.com Kevin Jones never used his knee as an excuse last season, but he was eight months removed from surgery to repair a torn right anterior cruciate ligament when the season began. Now the running back is ready to show what kind of player he still is five years after being a first-round pick of the Detroit Lions. RELATED STORIES No reaching for the stars ''This is Kevin Jones' comeback year,'' Jones said Saturday from Blacksburg, Va., where he was visiting former college teammates at Virginia Tech. ''Whatever opportunity I get, it's going to happen.'' The Bears have offered him a contract to return, and he has received interest from the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ''pretty much all the teams that need backs right now,'' Jones said. He doesn't have any scheduled visits and isn't putting a timetable on the process as he searches for a new deal with agent Drew Rosenhaus, whom he hired last season. The Bears used Jones sparingly, giving him 34 carries while Matt Forte got the bulk of the work. Jones was inactive for four games before going to Lovie Smith's office and asking for an opportunity to play special teams. He made an immediate impact in that role, and his role on offense might expand if he returns. General manager Jerry Angelo and Smith have said they want to have more of a two-back attack. ''I've been telling you all along, and you may have thought, 'This kid is crazy,' during last year, I want to come back to the Bears,'' Jones said. ''I like the staff; I like all the teammates. If you want an example of what an NFL team should be like, the coaching staff, everything, that's it. I'd love to be back, but sometimes business gets in the way. ''It's a negotiation process, and I am making sure I am in the right situation. The Bears expressed interest and I want to be back, but we've got to hammer out the paperwork. We'll see what happens.'' Jones would be in the mix with former third-round pick Garrett Wolfe to pick up some of Forte's work. Forte was fourth in the league with 316 carries. The Bears also are taking a wait-and-see approach with offensive lineman John St. Clair. Angelo expressed a desire to re-sign him, but it's not believed the team has moved off the original offer it made Feb. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 I thought for sure he wouldn't want back. This leads me to believe that he rarely played last year not because he sucked, but rather because he still wasn't completely healthy. I wouldn't mind him as a stop gap as our 2nd RB for a year or two while he fix other areas of need. Hell, and maybe when Jones is finally healthy, maybe he would show that he can be a really good 2nd RB with Forte, and we can eliminate 2nd RB as a need in the future. We'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connorbear Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 I thought for sure he wouldn't want back. This leads me to believe that he rarely played last year not because he sucked, but rather because he still wasn't completely healthy. Exactly. If he was 100% last yr and had been used as he was, I'm sure there is no way he would want to come back here. Peace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChileBear Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Exactly. If he was 100% last yr and had been used as he was, I'm sure there is no way he would want to come back here. Peace In the article (SunTimes?) he says he wasn't 100%. Also says he loves being here, but it's a business and he will go where he can get paid. Yeah, I'd like to have him back, but I just bet he'll get an offer and we won't match. Too bad. He knows the system and is now ready to be a complete contributor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DABEARSDABOMB Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 I thought for sure he wouldn't want back. This leads me to believe that he rarely played last year not because he sucked, but rather because he still wasn't completely healthy. I wouldn't mind him as a stop gap as our 2nd RB for a year or two while he fix other areas of need. Hell, and maybe when Jones is finally healthy, maybe he would show that he can be a really good 2nd RB with Forte, and we can eliminate 2nd RB as a need in the future. We'll see. Agreed and I'd welcome him back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ54 Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 I've said it before but I'd be glad to have him back as our #2 RB because I think he'll be much better this year than last. I still want to see Garret Wolfe getting 5-7 carries and/or catches per game but there's no reason we can't use Jones for 7-10 carries too. Keep Forte to around 20 touches per game (he gets a fair amount of receptions too) and then let it play out throughout the year balance wise as guys get injured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowlingtwig Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 I've said it before but I'd be glad to have him back as our #2 RB because I think he'll be much better this year than last. I still want to see Garret Wolfe getting 5-7 carries and/or catches per game but there's no reason we can't use Jones for 7-10 carries too. Keep Forte to around 20 touches per game (he gets a fair amount of receptions too) and then let it play out throughout the year balance wise as guys get injured. I completely agree with you again. I don't like giving Forte much more than 20 carries. If we can do this it can keep all of our RB's fresh for the long stretch and hopefully even the playoffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChileBear Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Eliminate Tampa as an opption for Jones. They signed Ward. I would like to hve Jones return for another season. But we'll just have to see what, if any, offers he gets from other teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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