I want to discuss briefly why I like this move and the implications it will have. Thomas Jones is your traditional grind-it-out running back who will bring a physicality to the Chiefs running game that it lost with the departure of Larry Johnson, without the pre-madonna attitude. Jones is 31 and is best days in the league are clearly behind him, but that being said, he's coming off his best season in the league, statistically, with the Jets.
Jones shouldn't expect to come in and put up those kind of numbers with the Chiefs next year due to the late season emergence of Jamaal Charles, who broke his own personal marks statistically. Jones should be able to come in and spell Charles and bring a legitimate 3rd down back to the offense. The biggest impact that Jones may have on Charles will be off the field. Jones is notorious for being a leader in the locker room and a great team player that other teammates respect. This is the type of role model that Chiefs fans should want for the young Charles who has the potential to be a very explosive top-tier back in the league.
To say that Jones is an upgrade from Larry Johnson, who the Chiefs released in the middle of last season, is an understatement. The only advice Johnson gave Charles was how to bitch and moan when you aren't getting enough carries, something Charles must not have taken his advice on. And Charles, shockingly, patiently waited for his opportunity and helped the team out in other ways (kick returns, recieving, etc.) and once he got his chance he ran with it quite literally and won the good graces of Chief nation, unlike Johnson.
Yes, Chiefs fans there is much to be excited about with the signing of Thomas Jones, and the on field aspect is just the surface. It takes players like Jones to take a squad full of young talent and usher it into a playoff team and eventually a championship team. And that's something that all Chiefs fans have been waiting a long time for.
