NFL
With Jones in fold, look for Bears to use two-back system
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.
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5 comments for “With Jones in fold, look for Bears to use two-back system”
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Yeah, this is definitely a low risk, high reward move. It’s nice that they are going back to the one-two punch at running back. As you said, it’s now “in vogue.”
I think it’s a pretty good acquisition for the Bears…gives them a solid, experienced back to go with Forte. Definitely will take a lot of pressure off of the passing game, which could use a little boost as well, if there are any good free-agent receivers still out there.
As you know Eddie, I’m a staunch Bears fan. I think the run game could open up the passing game, but I see them doing that through the double tight end set next season. Desmond Clark is probably one of the most underrated TE in the NFL. That man can catch anything that is thrown at them. With him and Greg Olsen, I think that can be an effective system and could solve some potential receiving woes. Just my two cents on that.
If they make use of the tight ends like you said, and the receiving corps can do at least a little something, the Bears could be productive offensively.
I’m looking forward to seeing what Earl Bennett does. He flew a little under the radar at Vanderbilt, but he could emerge as a reliable target early on for Grossman (or Orton).
Yeah, I really liked Earl Bennett in college. He’s not the fastest, but he has hands like glue. And we know how much dropped catches were an issue last season for the Bears. I saw yesterday a report from Pro-Football Weekly’s Hub Arkush, and he said that Brandon Lloyd and Devin Hester are the favorites at starting wide-out, which seems a bit ridiculous to me seeing as Hester is still very raw at that position.