On Sunday, the Jets took out a full page ad in the Kansas City Star, thanking Thomas Jones for his time in New York.

The ad, along with a picture of Jones said:

“A person who embodies TOUGHNESS, DEDICATION and LEADERSHIP. Thanks TJ for three great seasons.”

The signatures on the bottom were:

“Woody Johnson, Coach Rex Ryan, Mike Tannenbaum and the New York Jets.”

A pic of the ad can be found here.

As reported on WFAN’s website: Jets, FB Richardson agree on 1-year deal

NEW YORK (AP) The New York Jets and fullback Tony Richardson have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, keeping one of the league’s best lead blockers in the backfield for the NFL’s top-rushing team.

Richardson, 38, will be entering his 16th season and has paved the way for several 1,000-yard rushers, including Thomas Jones the last two seasons. The move Tuesday comes on the same day the Jets officially signed LaDainian Tomlinson.

Richardson is a three-time Pro Bowl selection who helped Priest Holmes to three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in Kansas City from 2001-03, and Larry Johnson in 2005. He did it again the following season in Minnesota with Chester Taylor, and was instrumental in Adrian Peterson rushing for 1,341 yards as a rookie in 2007

The Jets have signed free agent Rodrique Wright, 25.

Wright (6-3, 300 lbs.), a standout at the University of Texas and drafted in the seventh round by the Dolphins in 2006, never quite made it with the Fins, battling injuries for the past few seasons. 

According to his wikipedia page, Wright, who had rotator cuff surgery in College (perhaps costing him a few draft rounds), was considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, and was ranked second among defensive tackle prospects in the nation behind Haloti Ngata.

Well, it happened….

The Jets have come to terms wth former Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson on a reported two year deal.

Tomlinson will join, for the time being, Leon Washington and Shonn Greene.

Interesting move for the Jets. Replacing Thomas Jones with Tomlinson; a power back for a finesse back. Not sure if the Jets have a feeling that Washington will be gone or now.

So far the Jets ( allegedly limited becuse of the no cap season) have signed Cromartie, Brodney Pool (FS from the Browns), and Tomlinson.

No not Lawrence Taylor for a possible coaching position (although that might make more sense).
The Jets plan to meet with the other LT, Ladainian Tomlinson, to discuss the 30 year old RB joining the Jets.
While I am pretty confident that meeting with LT means nothing at this point, it does show that the Jets could be feeling a little nervous about the possible departure of Leon Washington.
Tomlinson is reportedly interested in the Vikings and met with the team yesterday, so by all accounts, he is just determining the league-wide interest in his services.

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being a game killer, where do you rank fumbles? a 10?  an 11? 

Think about this for a second:

From 1998 to 2005, the Jets RB was Curtis Martin. Martin fumbled, on an average, twice per season.

In 2008, Leon Washington, Kevan Barlow and Cedric Houston split time at RB and fumbled a combined 4 times (3 of them Washington).

From 2007 to 2009, the Jets RB was Thomas Jones (same 2 fumbles per year).  (Note: Shonn Greene with 3 fumbles).

As Jets fans, have we taken for granted the need to have a RB who will hold on to the ball in the 4th quarter?  It sure seems that way to management.

Entering 2010, the Jets have Shonn Greene (ribs) and Leon Washington (leg)…. yeah, that’s it.  What happens if Greene re-injures his ribs in preseason  (like last season), or in Week 1 ?  Who is out there for the Jets that will be as dependable as Thomas Jones?

Justin Fargas?  LaMont Jordan?  Jamal Lewis? Willie Parker?

Enjoy Kansas City, Thomas Jones.

The Chiefs have signed the former Jets RB to a 2 year, $5 million deal.

Jones will earn $3 million this season and $2 million in 2011. He can also earn another $500,000 in incentives.

You know you haven’t signed with a contender when the big news is not Jones signing with the Chiefs, but the now apparent reduced role to be played by Jamaal Charles, which will limit his fantasy value.

The good people at Profootball.com talk have reported that Leon Washington has spoken with the 49ers and that things are heating up.

If healthy, Washington, who received a second round tender from the Jets, could be the steal of the year.  If not healthy, a second round pick is a gold mine.  Of course, if offered a contract by any team, the Jets have the option to match.

If the Jets decide to part ways with Washington, that would leave the team with one RB, Shonn Greene.