Shortly after the Bears cut Cedric Benson loose last month,
But apparently Kevin Jones was too good of a risk for the price, as the Bears signed the former Lion to a one-year deal this week, beating out the Pittsburgh Steelers for his services.
Jones’ deal is worth only $605,000, compared to the $2.35 million he would have made this season had the Lions not cut him. Obviously there is a risk involved in that Jones tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Dec. 23. He had surgery the first week of January, and the recovery was supposed to take a year, but Jones says he is well ahead of schedule.
That said, Jones, who turns 26 in August, says he still expects the Bears to start him on the physically-unable-to-perform list when camp starts next week, even though he passed a physical. If he were to begin the regular season on the PUP list, he wouldn’t be eligible to join the 53-man roster until after Week 6. But Jones has his sights set on full participation a couple of weeks into camp.
Asked if he’ll be ready for the start of camp, Jones said: ‘‘I think so. They’re going to be cautious with me and take it slow. The doctors recommended I don’t get hit in the first week of training camp. I don’t know what the plan is for the preseason.’’
What won Jones over for the Bears was that he would get a chance to compete for the top job, something few other teams could offer.
“My main thing for (Lovie Smith) was would the opportunities for competition be fair and if he wanted me here,” Jones said. “And coach Smith said, ‘Yes, we want you here. And you have a fair opportunity.’ ”
Jones was the 30th overall pick out of Virginia Tech in the 2004 NFL draft, and the Bears heavily scouted him that year and considered him with their pick before Tommie Harris fell into their laps at No. 14. Jones finished his rookie season with 1,133 yards and five TDs on 241 carries. He had his 2006 season cut short by a Lisfranc fracture of his left foot. Then the ACL tear prematurely ended his ‘07 campaign.
Last season, Jones rushed for 581 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns on 153 carries. He also had 32 receptions for 197 yards. During four seasons in Motown, he rushed for 3,067 yards and 24 touchdowns on 761 carries.
The Bears ranked last in the league last season in yards per carry last season, so there’s nowhere to go but up and two-back systems are now in vogue in the NFL.
