Next step for Jones? In the wake of the Emmitt Smith signing, this news is hardly unexpected, but ESPN.com has confirmed that Arizona Cardinals officials have granted the representatives for tailback Thomas Jones permission to seek a trade. The implication is that, barring a deal, the former first-round draft choice will be released later this spring. The odds of a trade being consummated are remote but agents Tom Condon and Ken Kremer of IMG Football are performing their due diligence, calling teams around the league, just to see if they can find a club willing to surrender a low-round draft choice for the former University of Virginia star.
The two also represent San Francisco wide receiver J.J. Stokes who, as ESPN.com first reported Thursday, also has permission to seek a trade. The seventh player selected overall in the 2000 draft, Jones has entered each of the last three training camps with the Cardinals as the starter, and failed to hold onto the job. In three seasons, he has started only 15 times, and has rushed for just 1,264 yards. Most people felt Jones would be a 1,200-yard rusher every year of his career. That's why, when he is released, Jones will probably draw interest from at least a few teams. People can rip Arizona for what seemingly is another ill advised first-round pick but, truth be told, there are a lot of teams that felt Jones was a can't-miss prospect in 2000.
I am not sure if anyone had posted this.... so I decided to include it.... first time I had seen it.
