Brad Jones

[Patler]

Nobody is saying Jones isn't good enough to make the 53 man roster. I just do not think he is worth very much. I wouldn't pay him Bush money. Bush was every bit as versatile as a backup (plays multiple positions), and was better on special teams, and, he still might be a bit overpaid. Then again, I'm just a poster on an Internet forum. What do I know?

I don't know if Bush is better on ST or not, as a gunner he gets a little more fanfare, and is in position to down punts etc., so we see him more. There were a couple articles expressing concern when Jones became a starter and had his ST role reduced. Articles said he was one of the real stalwarts on ST, and a guy who took his role extremely seriously on ST. I think Jones is more valuable as a player on defense than Bush. He's a better player on defense.

I think a Bush-like contract in concept would be fine. Bush isn't making all that much, 3 years/$5.25 million. That's about 2x the vet minimums for a player in years 7-9 like Bush. A 2x minimum for a 5-7 year player like Jones should be worth about $4.75 or so. I think he is worth that. Probably will get a better offer than that from someone else, though.

[Fritz]

"Bush was every bit as versatile

"...we still have a couple of holes to fill."

"BJ should be brought back only for the minimum."

Great Thread! About a guy named Jones!

[3irty1]

I don't think he's the teams ace that Bush is although he does have the exact size/speed combo you can't get enough of for special teams.

I think Jones is worth quite a bit more than Bush as he has real defensive value. He's a backup OLB and not even a good one I agree, but he's still got upside as an ILB IMO and is already good enough to be a 3rd down specialist at that position.

[The Shadow]

Bush money here in the more rundown parts of Chicago can range from $20 to $35.

[sharpe1027]

I don't know if Bush is better on ST or not, as a gunner he gets a little more fanfare, and is in position to down punts etc., so we see him more. There were a couple articles expressing concern when Jones became a starter and had his ST role reduced. Articles said he was one of the real stalwarts on ST, and a guy who took his role extremely seriously on ST. I think Jones is more valuable as a player on defense than Bush. He's a better player on defense.

I think a Bush-like contract in concept would be fine. Bush isn't making all that much, 3 years/$5.25 million. That's about 2x the vet minimums for a player in years 7-9 like Bush. A 2x minimum for a 5-7 year player like Jones should be worth about $4.75 or so. I think he is worth that. Probably will get a better offer than that from someone else, though.

Maybe BJ is slightly more valuable than Bush, but it's splitting hairs at this point. Both are buried so deep on the depth chart that it takes multiple injuries for them to make the field (other that special teams). There has been some talk of BJ playing in the dime. While that's fan speculation at this point, it would make him a little more valuable. Of course, it seems like the coaches talk about Bush playing more on D every year.

I can agree on your point about Bush's contract. It is not that much. He's somewhere around 20th on the team. They can afford to pay BJ that much, but is it really justifiable? I think they could go either way. If they think they can fill Jones' spot without much of a drop off, they won't think twice about dumping him for a guy that they think might develop. Otherwise, they may play it safe and resign him. IDK.

[3irty1]

Maybe BJ is slightly more valuable than Bush, but it's splitting hairs at this point. Both are buried so deep on the depth chart that it takes multiple injuries for them to make the field (other that special teams). There has been some talk of BJ playing in the dime. While that's fan speculation at this point, it would make him a little more valuable. Of course, it seems like the coaches talk about Bush playing more on D every year.

I can agree on your point about Bush's contract. It is not that much. He's somewhere around 20th on the team. They can afford to pay BJ that much, but is it really justifiable? I think they could go either way. If they think they can fill Jones' spot without much of a drop off, they won't think twice about dumping him for a guy that they think might develop. Otherwise, they may play it safe and resign him. IDK.

Without Woodson Bush might be just one injury away from seeing the field. I wouldn't be surprised at all either if Jones beats out DJ Smith for the backup ILB spot.

[sharpe1027]

Without Woodson Bush might be just one injury away from seeing the field. I wouldn't be surprised at all either if Jones beats out DJ Smith for the backup ILB spot.

Maybe, but that would assume they play him over either McMillian or Jennings (whichever is not hurt) and that they don't draft anyone better.

I would be somewhat surprised if Jones beats out Smith. Jones already lost his outside spot to three different guys (Perry, Walden and Moses) so they tried to move him inside where he stayed well behind Bishop and Smith. Don't forget that they drafted Manning last year and could always draft another LBer.

[smuggler]

DJ Smith easily has Jones beat, unless there's some lingering issue with his knee that affects his play.

[Fritz]

I was disappointed in Smith's play at the ILB spot. He was a second year guy - in the system long enough to learn - but he had little impact. He appears to be JAG.

[Smeefers]

If you have your third string ILB playing dime, you're in trouble.

[rbaloha1]

DJ Smith easily has Jones beat, unless there's some lingering issue with his knee that affects his play.

Agree. DJ only gets better with reps just like Bishop (not saying DJ is going to morph into another DB).

[3irty1]

He's back! per PFT. No news on the numbers yet.

Don't say Ted never bought you anything!

[pbmax]

Dime LB is back to make TEs disappear. Vernon Davis is on notice.

[pbmax]

This, I confess, gave me a little pause.

Wes Hodkiewicz @WesHod 1h
The #Packers have re-signed linebacker Brad Jones. The team returns all seven of its prospective inside backers for next season

[woodbuck27]

He's back! per PFT. No news on the numbers yet.

Don't say Ted never bought you anything!

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/21/brad-jones-returns-to-packers/

Brad Jones returns to Packers

Posted by Josh Alper on March 21, 2013, 5:54 PM EDT