Dec 4, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Thomas Jones (20) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Chiefs beat the Bears 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

On this date in Bears history in 2004, The Chicago Bears signed free agent Thomas Jones to become their featured running back for Lovie Smith. Jones did not have a great start to his career when he struggled with the Arizona Cardinals for three uneventful seasons.  He showed enough promise in his one season with the Tampa Bay Bucs that the Bears signed Jones to be their starting running back.

Jones career finally took off when he arrived in the Chicago backfield.  Jones gained 948 yards in his first season with the Bears and then in 2005 with Kyle Orten at quarterback for most of the season Jones was the Bears offense breaking out for 1,335 yards and 9 touchdowns.  The Bears drafted Cedric Benson in 2005 but his holdout, attitude and injuries never let him take over for Jones.

In 2006 Jones helped lead the Bears offense (with a lot more help from the defense) to the Super Bowl. Jones best game of his career possibly was against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game when Jones had 19 carries and 123 yards and a touchdown.  Jones and the Bears were unsuccessful in their Super Bowl attempt against the Colts and have not been back since.

Jones tenure with Chicago came to an end because of the presence of Cedric Benson.  He was traded to the Jets in 2007  where he had his best seasons and his only Pro Bowl appearance of his career.

Jones may not be an all-time Bears great but he had a very good short streak that helped lead the Bears to the Super Bowl.

What is your best Jones moment in a Bears jersey?

When you’re on a budget – and we know the Misers of the Midway always are – it’s best to do a little research before going on a shopping spree to be sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

Last season the second biggest disappointment for the Bears, besides Jay Cutler and his knack for throwing the ball to the other team, had to be Matt Forte.  You can blame the O-line or playing with a bum wheel, but the fact is that the Bears had no one to spell and/or compliment Forte.

Let’s assess the expected crop of Free Agent Running  Backs the Bears might consider to bolster their backfield:

Darren Sproles

This little waterbug is likely to be a hot commodity on the free agent market.  His diminutive stature (5’6″ and 185 lbs) makes it a stretch to think that he could be a primary back, so that might cost him a few bucks, but heading into an uncapped year, that will hardly make a difference.

Sproles i’s quicker than a hiccup and sometimes tougher to stop.  Mike Martz has wet dreams about this type of running back.  Can you imagine the screen plays he could run with him?  Would be the perfect compliment to Forte in the backfield and I can hardly imagine what Dave Toub could do with his unique talents on special teams?   (more…)

It was been rumored that DePaul and Lovie Smith often didn’t see eye to eye.  So does DePaul’s ouster mean that Lovie is actually gaining power this offseason?  What is this, Bizarro World where up is down and black is white?  It just doesn’t make sense.

Sure, DePaul had his share of misses, including last season’s questionable pickups along the offensive line like Orlando Pace and Frank Omiyale.  But consider the multitude of draft busts at the feet of College Scouting Director Greg Gabriel.  How do he and Angelo keep their gigs, not to mention Lovie, while DePaul gets the escort out of Halas Hall?  The more I get to know the organization, the more I realize it’s totally fucked.  Happy offseason!

This weekend take a look at a team that really lives up to the Bears’ formula – the New York Jets.   The Jets finished up the season ranked 1st in defense and 1st in rushing at just over 172 yards per game.

In stark contrast, the Bears wound up with about 93 yards per game.  They did this with – ya, you guessed it – Bears castoff Thomas Jones toting the rock.  You remember him, right?  The guy they traded to make way for Cedric Benson.  The Cedric Benson who tallied over 1200 yards for the Bengals when he got his head screwed on right.

Meanwhile, the guy we had to draft to replace the guy that chased the other guy out of town played all season with a bum wheel.

The Jets have more ties to the Bears besides T Jones.  How about head coach Rex Ryan?  Yup, Buddy’s son.  And one of his assistants?  46-zone defense ‘namesake’ #46 Doug Plank.

Critics have said that the Jets backed their way into the playoffs, thanks in large part to the Colts laying down for them back in Week 16.  But the Jets have gotten the job done in the playoffs with strong running from Jones and emerging superstar Shonn Greene (take note 2010 fantasy footballers) and playing killer defense behind lockdown cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Look for Revis to follow Reggie Wayne into the locker room at halftime – that’s how tight he’ll be covering.  I doubt the Jets will be able to confuse Peyton Manning with various fronts and blitzes – who can?  But if the Jets can run the ball and keep Peyton and the Colts offense off the field…   Well,  you never know.

So if you like old-school 1985-style 46-defense and smash mouth running attack that the Bears advertise, throw your support behind the Jets.

Even though the Bears‘ season is over (sigh), it doesn’t mean football season is over.  Wild-Card Weekend featured plenty of teams the Bears faced this season (5), ex-Bears runners, a crumbling dynasty, an ex-Chicago team and a hated Bears rival in an instant classic.   Here’s my wrap-up:

Jets 24, Bengals 14

Ex-Bears ran wild in this game, especially Cedric Benson, who ripped off 169 yards and a long TD run in a losing effort.  Former teammate Thomas Jones added a TD of his own as the Jets cruised past the Bengals behind Rex Ryan (yes, Buddy’s son) who runs a lot of the old Bears 46 defense.

The loneliest guy in Cincinnati has to be Shayne Graham.  It seemed like every time the Bengals tried to close the gap, he was missing a short field goal.  It’s going to be a loooong offseason for that guy.

The Jets head to San Diego to take on Phillip Rivers and the red-hot Chargers.   (more…)

Guys I Like this Week

1. Devin Hester @ San Fran – Devin had a good week last week in terms of receptions and yards, but Olsen got all the TDs (I am sure glad I started Olsen).  Against the 24th ranked passing D in San Fran, I like Devin’s chances to be the beneficiary of at least 1 JC TD pass.
2. Thomas Jones vs Jacksonville – J-Ville trots out the 22nd ranked D against the run and TJ no longer has to lose carries to Leon Washington.  Shonn Greene may steal some, but not before TJ gets a couple plunges…”How ’bout dem Jag-warz!!!”
3. Ray Rice @ Cleveland - Even the Bears were able to run on Cleveland…the Ravens run the ball better and Rice is the bestest (I know bestest isn’t a word) of the bunch.  He was the Ravens best performer last week in a tough loss to the Bengals and he should be even better this week.
4. Dewayne Bowe @ Oakland - With the Larry Johnson fiasco over, Bowe is one of the few weapons the Chiefs have on their roster.  I like him to have a big day and begin to re-emerge as a reliable starter this season.
5. Randy Moss @ Indy – The Texans couldn’t figure out how to take advantage of a ravaged Indy secondary last week, but you can rest assured Belacheat will find a way to expose them.  Oh and Brady is getting his Mojo back, so the Colts could get their first L of the season.  (more…)

Guys I Like this Week

1. Aaron Rodgers @ Tampa Bay – What’s a good cure for sore feet for a QB?  How about facing a Tampa D that has allowed 9 plays of more than 40 yds or more through the air, 16 passing TDs and has only mustered 11 sacks.  Yeah, they are that bad and should be changing back to the old creamsicle uniforms for good.
2. Chad Ochocinco vs Baltimore – Ocho has been RED HOT and you gotta ride him.  The Balt D comes in ranked 19th against the pass and while I think they can contain Ced much better than the Bears did, I think they will manage about as well against Ocho as the Bears did or maybe worse.  Tweet, Tweet!!!
3. Julius Jones vs Detroit – The Edge is gone and Forsett isn’t ready to steal many carries and likely won’t be a factor at the goalline.  Seattle needs to keep Hasselbeck upright for the rest of the season, so expect a lot of Juice Jones to keep the Lions off balance.  Plus, we are talking about the Lions D, right?  Go with Juice!
4. Matt Schaub/Andre Johnson @ Indy - The Colts may be starting at least 1 and likely 2 rookies at their CB positions this week…that’s right…rookies…Schaub and AJ must be licking their chops.  Even if the starters play, they will be limited by injuries and, ”Houston, we could have takeoff!!!”  (more…)

Guys I Like this Week

1. Matt Forte vs Cleveland – I am calling Forte out…perform this week or I drop you from 2 of my squads…Cleveland???  Come on…and in the orange jerseys to boot…this has to be his week!!!
2. LeSean McCoy vs NYG – Westbrook’s concussion gives McCoy a chance to shine…not the best matchup, but AZ ran pretty well against the Giants last week.
3. Kevin Smith and Steven Jackson in the Toilet Bowl (StL @ Det) – This is probably the worst game on the schedule this week, but both defenses are suspect and I think both RBs have a chance to shine.
4. LaDanian Tomlinson vs Oakland – I don’t know why because LT has been disappointing, but there is something appealing to me about LT at home versus Oakland with a firm chip on his shoulder that sounds like a winning combo to me in favor of LT owners… (more…)