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I’ve got some Aaron Jones thoughts that I was going to just dump here, but the more I think about it the more I think it’s gonna be an article somewhere.
This tweet was worthless.
This tweet was worthless.
Maybe I'll flesh this out a bit tonight, but here's the crux of it.
I've seen two pretty distinct camps form around Jones:
Camp 1: "They don't need to pay him until they see what Dillon can do."
Camp 2: "He's not solely a running back so you can feel better about paying him."
I've seen two pretty distinct camps form around Jones:
Camp 1: "They don't need to pay him until they see what Dillon can do."
Camp 2: "He's not solely a running back so you can feel better about paying him."
The Camp 1 rebuttal:
Even if Dillon hits his ceiling, he's never going to be the same player that Jones is. That's not necessarily a good thing or a bad thing, just a fact. They are two entirely different players and that's okay. Dillon hitting doesn't remove the need for Jones.
Even if Dillon hits his ceiling, he's never going to be the same player that Jones is. That's not necessarily a good thing or a bad thing, just a fact. They are two entirely different players and that's okay. Dillon hitting doesn't remove the need for Jones.
The Camp 2 rebuttal:
Even in a year where Jones had his best (and most versatile) season as a receiver, he still lined up in the backfield nearly 90% of the time. He's versatile. He's a weapon. He's still a running back & will take the same beating RBs do.
Even in a year where Jones had his best (and most versatile) season as a receiver, he still lined up in the backfield nearly 90% of the time. He's versatile. He's a weapon. He's still a running back & will take the same beating RBs do.
I believe Aaron Jones is perfect in this LaFleur offense. He has proven an ability to run between the tackles. He can be a one-cut runner but he can also move a little behind the line if he needs to. And his ability in the receiving game is HUGE for the illusion of complexity.
This is pretty much where I stand:
The offense is better with Jones in it, but I also don't love the idea of paying a RB big money. You could likely find someone that gives you 75% of Jones at 25% of the cost.
The offense is better with Jones in it, but I also don't love the idea of paying a RB big money. You could likely find someone that gives you 75% of Jones at 25% of the cost.
So if news of the Jones extension comes down, I will know in my head that paying a RB is not a great idea, while also being elated for him as a person and for the team as a whole.
My last point:
The salary cap can be manipulated & Russ Ball is very good at it. It’s a tough time right now, but if/when Jones gets extended, I will be celebrating & trusting that the front office has a plan.
The salary cap can be manipulated & Russ Ball is very good at it. It’s a tough time right now, but if/when Jones gets extended, I will be celebrating & trusting that the front office has a plan.
