Kevin Jones

The Detroit Lions cut starting RB Kevin Jones earlier this year. A multitude of injuries had left Jones's career looking about as stable as a CBS production meeting.

Jones worked out for reporters this week, and while the reports are impressive, a few quotes from the man himself are slightly worrying. Regarding contract offers from the Patriots and Titans, Jones says:

“I’m not trying to break the bank, but I’m not about to go anywhere just to go, just because there’s a team out there and I haven’t gotten picked up yet,” Jones said. “I know my worth. A lot of the teams know my worth, but they figure, ‘OK, you’re hurt right now. We’ll bring you in.’ They’re just going to lowball you. But that’s not happening with me."

While Kevin Jones is clearly talented enough to play somewhere, it's a ridiculous assumption on his part to think that he will get anywhere near starter money right now. We find it particularly interesting that if the Patriots offered him a deal of any sort, he rejected it. The Pats' pass happy offensive scheme has given perrenial backups like Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris decent numbers, so a proven back like Jones could potentially ressurect his career behind Tom Brady.

Regardless of who is offering the deal though, we definately think Jones's hand is short. In fact, he's holding a Joker and 'The rules of Gin Rummy'. A solid one year deal (in the Jamal Lewis mould) would see Jones entering Free Agency next year aged just 26. For one thing, it's unlikely that any team will sign someone as injury-prone as Kevin Jones to a multi-year deal anyway.

If we were Jones, we'd take less money now and prove we could get it done next season, putting him in a very strong position this time next year.