Kevin Jones Signs With the Bears

by WCG on Jul 15, 2008 12:45 PM CDT

The NFL Network is reporting that Kevin Jones has agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears.

Jones will receive a one-year deal for the league minimum and hope he has an opportunity to show what he can do.

Kevin Jones was a 1st round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in the 2004 NFL Draft. He was the 30th selection and is out of Vriginia Tech.

Realistically Jones could find himself as the backup by the time the regular season rolls around. If the Bears like the idea of keeping Adrian Peterson in his special teams roll and Garrett Wolfe proves he is just a situation back, we will need a full time guy to spell Matt Forte or step in if an injury occurs.

Keep an eye out for a scouting report from our Detroit blogger.

The Sun-times is reporting the deal is for 1-year at $605k.

Here is a look at his career numbers:

Year	Tm	G	GS	Att	Yds	TD	Lng	Y/A	Y/G	A/G
2004	DET	15	14	241	1133	5	74	4.7	75.5	16.1
2005	DET	13	13	186	664	5	40	3.6	51.1	14.3
2006	DET	12	12	181	689	6	52	3.8	57.4	15.1
2007	DET	13	10	153	581	8	34	3.8	44.7	11.8
Career		53	49	761	3067	24	74	4.0	57.9	14.4

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Realistically

If that knee is healthy he’ll take over the starter’s spot. This guy runs hard, and did so even when he was hurt last season. He has all the tools and I really feel like ‘motivation’ was one of the key elements missing from making him a top tier running back. I like the move, especially for the league minimum.

by kingj41 on Jul 15, 2008 1:00 PM CDT 0 recs

great move

for the league minimum i’d even take shaun alexander, ron dayne, whoever, just for some options. Kevin Jones is actually legit, depending on health of course. And while I still think Forte can be a good player, it’s too unknown and it would have been really risky to not make a move like this.

by Ando on Jul 15, 2008 1:13 PM CDT 0 recs

It's a good move for the Bears.

I like Kevin Jones. And not just because I’ve got him on my team in my keeper league. I think his running style will translate well to playing in Chicago, and if he’s in decent health, it should keep defenses honest on your pass.

by Robert Rence on Jul 15, 2008 1:27 PM CDT 0 recs

Great not just because its for the minimum...

but also, and perhaps more importantly, because the prospect of him vaulting ahead of Forte in the depth chart to start the season will shield Forte from taking the blame for the O-line’s problems that will inevitably/undoubtedly be hurled at the starting back by stupid / numbers-dependent media and fans. We get a boom-or-bust prospect at a young age for dirt cheap and simultaneously protect our long-term investment in Forte and give him – depending on whether Jones can stay healthy – at least several more weeks to get up to speed on the playbook and improve his blocking.
Love it.

by The Spaniard on Jul 15, 2008 1:42 PM CDT 0 recs

good move

I was hoping the Cardinals would swoop in and steal him, especially considering he signed for the minimum. Heck, I would have been ok with twice that.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 15, 2008 2:33 PM CDT 0 recs

I feel a lot better now.

Losing Benson, now feels like a joy. I’m assuming that we get at least half a season with Kevin Jones because I think that is all you could expect from Benson anyway. I really think having a Jones in our backfield is the key. That is how we made the Superbowl 2 season ago.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Jul 15, 2008 2:37 PM CDT 0 recs

the article

mentions the physically unable to perform thing, which is troubling. it sounds like hes got some time before hes up to speed.

by rahulsriram on Jul 15, 2008 2:46 PM CDT 0 recs

I don't know why everyone here is glowing.

Are the Bears going to carry 4 RBs? I doubt it. Forte stays… AP is too valuable on special teams (especially now that Ayenbadejo-spelling is gone), and Wolfe was just drafted last year and showed some good playmaking ability.

So, now what?

If they wanted to add someone, they should’ve signed Najeh Davenport, who can play both FB and RB… and upgraded over McKie.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jul 15, 2008 3:19 PM CDT 0 recs

Davenport is a basket case

we don’t need anything to do with him.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by WCG on Jul 15, 2008 3:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

well...

.. being that Wolfe isn’t very good, he may be the odd guy out.

But regardless of who is the odd man out, I think that there is little question that Jones, if close to 100% healthy, makes the bears running backs, as a unit, better.

visit the mindful mission

by big_lowitzki on Jul 15, 2008 4:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

weren't you

.. being that Wolfe isn’t very good, he may be the odd guy out.

they guy who called him done in the middle of the season last year? after about 5 carries?

by mike b on Jul 16, 2008 8:16 AM CDT up 0 recs

i don't recall...

... ever saying he was done.

But I have always said that he wasn’t very good. And that he would never really be a legitimate running back in the NFL.

visit the mindful mission

by big_lowitzki on Jul 16, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'd have

McKie over Davenport any day of the week.

I am like your Dan Aykroyd and biglow would be Jane, the ignorant slut. -Chad

by thecoolest on Jul 15, 2008 4:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think most people have

come to the realization that Garrett Wolfe is not a viable NFL running back. The Bears don’t need a returner and the backfield is full, he won’t make it through training camp.

by Santos Sorrow on Jul 15, 2008 5:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

what's the worst...

...that can come from this situation? Let’s assume GW doesn’t make it past camp.

Scenario #1: Jones ends up healthy and running well. We resign KJ to a 2-year deal and we have a 1-2 punch for a couple years.

Scenario #2: Jones starts the season, gets hurt, Forte takes over the starting job. Jones is shown the door, yet we can see how a full season affects Forte. Find a talent to compliment him through the draft or FA.

At best, we end up with a 1-2 punch. At worst, we see if Forte is truly the real deal and react from there. The last thing we needed is a pompous idiot like Davenport; we need people who have fire to prove themselves (Jones for his durability and Forte for his ‘reach’ by the Bears).

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Jul 15, 2008 5:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think they will.

They signed KJ to ONE YEAR, at league minimum.

That is CLEARLY not a commitment. Why would they drop Wolfe when Angelo LOVES him, especially considering that his contract shows that they are prepared if his knees go out again.
If he demanded anything more than league minimum this wouldn’t have happened. SO yeah I would be very surprised if they dropped any backs.

—If anything they’ll just have AP on special teams full time (which is GREAT in my opinion) and have wolfe be the #3 Jones, Forte, and Wolfe seems like a good mix of talents anyway.

by HesterSteals1st on Jul 16, 2008 2:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

Correct me if I am wrong

but you can’t just assign guys to special teams. They still have to have a position, so if they just had Adrian Peterson do Special Teams he still has to hold a roster spot at RB. That said if they would still be carrying 4 RBs. Is that right?

I don’t see a problem with carrying 4 RBs. As important as they are why not have more? Currently we are going to go into the season with Grossman, Orton and some rookie at QB. Unless they think that rookie is the future only carry 2 QBs. If one goes down you can bring him off the practice squad or sign a guy to play backup.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by WCG on Jul 16, 2008 9:15 AM CDT up 0 recs

There IS a problem with carrying 4 RBs for this team

For one, I can’t recall the last time the Bears carried 4 RBs
Secondly, Devin Hester is a return specialist taking up an offensive skill position spot… meaning they already have one less spot on the roster to go around. The individual positions that usually carry the most are WR and CB (this excludes O-Line and D-Line).

So, if they carry 4 RBs, they may have to sacrifice a WR… a position of weakness on this roster that they’re trying to develop.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jul 16, 2008 10:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

That's not a rebuttal.

by tyger1147 on Jul 16, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

umm...

Secondly, Devin Hester is a return specialist taking up an offensive skill position spot… meaning they already have one less spot on the roster to go around.

Not so sure about that.

Hester is expected to play a significant role as a WR.

visit the mindful mission

by big_lowitzki on Jul 16, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

Also to add to hardships in carrying 4 RBs

with NFL Europe closing down teams are given less roster spots they can take. I think the number went from 85 to 80, so they need to be careful where they delegate.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by WCG on Jul 16, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up 0 recs

I like that idea. It's not unprecedented.

A few teams every year only have two QB’s on the 53-man and a position player (Marty Booker?) designated as the emergency QB.

by tyger1147 on Jul 16, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

I think this a great move. I think Forte has a chance to be a good back, but he’s a rookie. Bringing in a guy like Jones coule really help take some pressure off him. Now it’s time to focus on the QB situation. Is there any truth to this Simms talk?

"Don't take anything for granted, because tomorrow is not promised to any of us."

by Twins Territory on Jul 15, 2008 4:05 PM CDT 0 recs

that's a big negative

on taking davenport. today’s dirt cheap signing is a good deal even if kjones can only contribute for a small portion of the season. if jones can get healthy enough to show that good speed he had a couple years ago we might actually come somewhat close to resembling the sought-after 1-2 RB attack that everyone likes to talk about having. Hey the guy can even catch a pass or two out of the backfield as well.

by reefermadness3 on Jul 15, 2008 4:10 PM CDT 0 recs

Contradict yourself much?

“Terms of the deal are undisclosed.

Jones will receive a one-year deal for the league minimum and hope he has an opportunity to show what he can do.”

by Arbusto on Jul 15, 2008 6:08 PM CDT 0 recs

The portion about the deal

was an update. Just forgot to remove the other part.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by WCG on Jul 15, 2008 10:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

You shouldn't remove the other part. That takes away credibility.

You should use the whole “update” feature they have going on. It’s pretty quite simple.

by tyger1147 on Jul 16, 2008 12:40 AM CDT up 0 recs

Wolfe as good as gone

I love the pick up of Jones. Virtually no risk with high chance of reward. The Bears needed a back up plan in case Forte gets hurt or can’t carry the load. Angelo is admitting he made a mistake in drafting Wolfe so high in last years draft. JA in retrospect is probably thinking he could’ve got one of his stud defensive draft picks instead of GW.

by propheteer on Jul 15, 2008 6:12 PM CDT 0 recs

Wolfe is going to sign elsewhere

And you will all miss him. I really think when utilized correctly he can make an impact. Size isn’t everything. Jones is a good deal for the Bears, provides some good insurance. But I’d be surprised if he makes it a full season and he does only have 1 week to get into the playbook just a little so Forte still has the upper hand on the starting spot right now.

Side note: Whats the deal with Chris Williams? The guy who on draft day said “Holdout is not in my vocabulary.” and the team that prides having all its picks signed is down to seven (7) days to sign him, I’m j/w if there are any word on negotiations or should I brace myself for a holdout?

Lovie Smith-isms:
"We get off the bus running"
"Rex Grossman is our quarterback."
"...and we'll go from there."

by GallopingGhost on Jul 16, 2008 12:23 AM CDT 0 recs