Thomas Jones Departs the Windy City
Chicago Bears Trade Jones and a second-round pick (63rd) to Jets for a second round pick (37th)

It was only a matter of time before the Chicago Bears got rid of the only man in Bear's history that can say he is in the same class as Walter "Sweetness" Payton. That honor is enshrined in the fact that Thomas Jones is the only other Bears running back to run for a 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. Jones is also a former 7th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2000.

At only 28, Jones still has plenty left in the tank thanks to splitting time with Cedric Benson this past season. Despite splitting time, he still managed to run for 1,210 yards and six scores. The Bears will now turn to the unproven Benson, who managed 647 yards and six scores in limited action. Benson was a former 4th overall pick by the Bears in 2005 from the University of Texas. However, in today's NFL the two-back system has become more popular like Julius Jones/Marion Barber in Dallas, Fred Taylor/Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville, and Joseph Addai/Dominic Rhodes in Indianapolis. It wasn't a coincidence that the two teams in Super Bowl 41: the Colts and Bears, both featured two-back systems. Therefore, I am extremely confused as to why Jones was traded, and for so little.

The Bears should have simply followed the advice from Teddy KGB in the movie Rounders, "Pay him...pay that man his money." Jones has averaged 4 plus yards a carry the last four seasons and as truly blossomed the last two in the Bears run-dominated offense. Yet, for some reason the Bears felt they could not shoulder the contract. I think this is crazy for a franchise that simply banks from games, team apparel, and advertising. The Chicago Bears are a priceless franchise, and therefore should be willing to shell out some hard-earned cash to a determined and talented individual in Thomas Jones. I understand that the Bears also have a significant amount of money tied up in Benson, but why not have two great running backs with an average quarterback in Rex Grossman.

Well Bears nation, it's not the money that is the problem, it is the egos of the two players. Neither wants to share the load and win, they want to be "the man" and not be as good a team. Although, both will most likely prosper in their upcoming seasons, they would have been able to hold up longer in the NFL in a two-back system than being the brunt of the punishment some 30 plus times a game.

Despite the fact that the Bears should have paid Thomas Jones, that is not the biggest issue on the table. The fact that the Bears gave up Thomas Jones and their second-round pick (63rd) for the Jets second-round pick (37th) is preposterous. That is the biggest steal I have witnessed in a long time. Jones is coming off back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in which he ran for 1,335 in 2005, and 1,210 this past season. It blows my mind that Jones and a second-round pick were only worth a second-round pick that was 26 spots better. The Bears do not need to add their second-round pick, and Thomas Jones should be worthy of first-round consideration. His numbers the last few seasons do not lie and his overall athletic ability is phenomenal.

I do not know what the Bears were thinking with this trade, except that they significantly undervalued a man who has been undervalued the minute he got to Chicago. Well Bears fans, you are going to miss a great running back and an even better teammate, while the "J..E..T..S, JETS JETS JETS!!!" are simply going to love him.