TJ...get the phone

[MadCardDisease]

Shelton - Kendall - Gruttadauria - Davis - Clement(pre-op)

That was a pretty badass line, IMO. Shipp had a few 200 yard games behind that line. Bottom line, Jones didn't try here, he always had an excuse, and he left town after lying about an injury.

He was a loss leader. Why do you defend him? His ass was thrown out of Tampa too for the same crap. It's only now that he's in Chicago that he's decided to play football for real.

Ah yes, The "Big Red Lie". Were they even healthy enough to play even a few games together?

After Clement left the Cardinals he has been nothing more than a Backup.

Grutts back injury made his stay here pretty worthless.

Shelton is average at best.

I wouldn't call that a bad ass line! Maybe a bad line.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Maybe is was him dancing around in the backfield or the fact that he went down if so much as a pinky finger made contact with him. He just wasn't very good when he played here.

He has gotten somewhat better now that he plays behind a solid offensive line. However it's not like he is striking fear into opposing teams Defensive coordinators the night before the game.

I'm not saying TJ was good when he played here, but he had an awful O-line is front of him and was very young. Players mature - he did and went to a team with an O-line. so what's the fuss? If people want to get mad, blame the organization for never being able to figure out the O-line. It doesn't matter who the back is back there - they're all doomed and 18 years have proven that.

 

[Cheesebeef]

remember his lung problem his rookie year? What was that all about? Even the commentators back then were saying it was bogus.

I guess the doctors who diagnosed it were in on it also.

 

[Card Trader]

We get it cheese....TJ is a god and once he was freed from the shackles that are known as the Cardinals he has turned into the second coming of sweetness.

If you can't admit he was terrible here, and NOT blame THAT on the Cards, then you need a reality check.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I wouldn't call that a bad ass line! Maybe a bad line.

everything relative in Cardinals land - a "bad line" is considered BAD ASS considering the AWFULNESS we've hadf to watch the last three years.

I wonder if a lot of this board actually watches football besides the Cardinals. It seems as if so many opinions are made in a vaccum. The Cardinals shoudl be 3-2... as if other bad teams NEVER have one or two killer plays that could swing wins to losses... we had a "bad ass line"... Warner fumbles because he gets hit so much...

 

[MadCardDisease]

I'm not saying TJ was good when he played here, but he had an awful O-line is front of him and was very young. Players mature - he did and went to a team with an O-line. so what's the fuss? If people want to get mad, blame the organization for never being able to figure out the O-line. It doesn't matter who the back is back there - they're all doomed and 18 years have proven that.

I can live with that. I agree that until this team gets a solid O-Line they are doomed. Mac knew this but even his Big Red Line wasn't the right answer. At least Mac knew what the problem was. He just didn't bring in the right players.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

If you can't admit he was terrible here, and NOT blame THAT on the Cards, then you need a reality check.

TJ was horrible here, even with that pathetic line he should have been much better. However, that was an era in Cardinal football when a lot of good players were ran out of town. A lot of guys who in other places have shown the dedication and ability to go to Pro Bowls, win Super Bowls, and be contributors on damn good football teams.

Back then our owners were more concerned about getting their stadium built than putting a quality product on the field and our coaching staff was more interested in a player's heart than his talent. Combine those things and you can see why many guys simply did not want to put in the time and energy into turning this around and simply waited it out until a better opportunity arose.

 

[Cheesebeef]

We get it cheese....TJ is a god and once he was freed from the shackles that are known as the Cardinals he has turned into the second coming of sweetness.

If you can't admit he was terrible here, and NOT blame THAT on the Cards, then you need a reality check.

WHAT PART OF THIS DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND:

"I'm not saying TJ was good when he played here, but he had an awful O-line is front of him and was very young. Players mature - he did and went to a team with an O-line. so what's the fuss? If people want to get mad, blame the organization for never being able to figure out the O-line. It doesn't matter who the back is back there - they're all doomed and 18 years have proven that."

YOU CAN READ, CAN'T YOU? good lord. And the "Cheese thinks TJ is God and the second coming of sweetness" jab is classic - It's the oldest sign of stupidity - I can't make an argument so I'm going to complete blow someone's else's argument WAYYYY OUT OF PROPORTION. Kudos.

 

[Card Trader]

YOU calling ME stupid...now that is classic. Troll.

BTW, you posted that all of a minute before I did, I was typing when you posted that.

 

[Card Trader]

Also, weren't you "not going to post here anymore"?

 

[Assface]

I'm not saying TJ was good when he played here, but he had an awful O-line is front of him and was very young. Players mature - he did and went to a team with an O-line. so what's the fuss? If people want to get mad, blame the organization for never being able to figure out the O-line. It doesn't matter who the back is back there - they're all doomed and 18 years have proven that.

The problem is that he didn't grow up untill he left here. As far as blaming the organization, almost everyone here blames them for a lot but one of the few things that I don't think is their fault is TJ. There's an article that was posted a while back with draft day quotes from him saying he didn't want to be a Cardinal. At least when Simeon Rice was he he put in enough effort to record double-digit sacks while waiting to leave.

Is TJ a good RB now? Of course. Will the majority of fans forgive him? No. We could have had Urlacher, who played his ass off for the Bears during some bad years. Shaun Alexander played hard for the Seahawks before they became the team that they are. Untill their recent revival the Bears weren't an elite team in how long? Seattle was never considered a top team untill last year.

Yes, TJ was coming in to a situation that he new was bad. So did Boldin and look how he played. Fitz came to a bad team and has taken it upon himself to be a leader and try to change the Cardinal's fortunes. Adrian Wilson WANTED an extension.

TJ matured and has become productive....but what most Cardinals fans remember is the immature TJ who just wanted out. He is a good story and people should be proud of the change he's made....just don't expect that from the crowd he burned.

 

[BigRedArk]

The problem is that he didn't grow up untill he left here. As far as blaming the organization, almost everyone here blames them for a lot but one of the few things that I don't think is their fault is TJ. There's an article that was posted a while back with draft day quotes from him saying he didn't want to be a Cardinal. At least when Simeon Rice was he he put in enough effort to record double-digit sacks while waiting to leave.

Is TJ a good RB now? Of course. Will the majority of fans forgive him? No. We could have had Urlacher, who played his ass off for the Bears during some bad years. Shaun Alexander played hard for the Seahawks before they became the team that they are. Untill their recent revival the Bears weren't an elite team in how long? Seattle was never considered a top team untill last year.

Yes, TJ was coming in to a situation that he new was bad. So did Boldin and look how he played. Fitz came to a bad team and has taken it upon himself to be a leader and try to change the Cardinal's fortunes. Adrian Wilson WANTED an extension.

TJ matured and has become productive....but what most Cardinals fans remember is the immature TJ who just wanted out. He is a good story and people should be proud of the change he's made....just don't expect that from the crowd he burned.

Well stated man.

 

[Cheesebeef]

He is a good story and people should be proud of the change he's made....just don't expect that from the crowd he burned.

I guess I'm just not one to hold grudges... especially against people that I have ZERO relation with. I'm thinking some Cardinal fans take this football thing WAYYYYYYYYY too seriously. Hell, there was a thread a couple weeks ago about people being depressed ON WEDNESDAY about a Cardinal loss. That makes me chuckle. Seriously - who take something they have no control over to heart THAT much as to let it effect them that many days later. there's so mcuh crap in the world to legitimately hate, why bother with hating something that's supposed to be entertaining?

 

[vince56]

I guess the doctors who diagnosed it were in on it also.

If you remember, they couldn't figure out what was wrong with him.

 

[jefftheshark]

He was very productive in TB especially in his last year there. Look at his averages.

He was so productive that they started him in 3 whole games. And then they let him go after one stellar 627 yard season.

I understand being pissed off at the team, but defending Thomas Jones is silly. He didn't want to be here and did what he needed to do to get away. That he grew up after leaving, well good for him.

But it doesn't mean I have to look back on his wasted time here with fondness, either.

The Shark

 

[Cheesebeef]

But it doesn't mean I have to look back on his wasted time here with fondness, either.

The Shark

who's asking you to? Why look back at all? Seems kind of weird to be living in the past when the past (and unfortunately the present) sucks as much as it did. why even waste your time thinking about it or let it upset you?

 

[jefftheshark]

who's asking you to? Why look back at all? Seems kind of weird to be living in the past when the past (and unfortunately the present) sucks as much as it did. why even waste your time thinking about it or let it upset you?

You've got a good point there. I just moved on.

The Shark

 

[Cheesebeef]

You've got a good point there. I just moved on.

The Shark

hurrah!

 

[Ohio Cards Fan]

It is funny how Jones turned from pure wuss (i.e. with pleurosy every training camp...and blaming it on the altitude) to never hearing another word about it. It is not constructive to look back at his tenure here and diagnose. We have a different GM, a different coaching staff, and comparisons are impossible. Regardless...I am glad he no longer dons a Cards uniform!

 

[blindseyed]

Cheese, are you saying it's OK to NOT try or perform for a bad team? Cuz if that's the case, you're behind Randy Moss too
I agree with ya, cheese, that the prganization sux but TJ never wanted to be here and really didn't try, starting with his hold-out. He has been quoyed on that too (no I can't find a link). I'm just saying he should've shut his mouth and played and played hard even if it was for this team

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

I'm thinking some Cardinal fans take this football thing WAYYYYYYYYY too seriously.

Says the man with 10,000 posts....

 

[Cheesebeef]

Says the man with 10,000 posts....

i've just got WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY too much time on my hands (and I'm just as big a Suns fan as Cards - so basically, I'm you on the Cards board times 2)

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

i've just got WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY too much time on my hands (and I'm just as big a Suns fan as Cards - so basically, I'm you on the Cards board times 2)

Oh I am in it for the punishment, there is no doubt.

 

[clif]

I guess I'm just not one to hold grudges... especially against people that I have ZERO relation with. I'm thinking some Cardinal fans take this football thing WAYYYYYYYYY too seriously. Hell, there was a thread a couple weeks ago about people being depressed ON WEDNESDAY about a Cardinal loss. That makes me chuckle. Seriously - who take something they have no control over to heart THAT much as to let it effect them that many days later. there's so mcuh crap in the world to legitimately hate, why bother with hating something that's supposed to be entertaining?

Can't the same be said for all of your (and other's) constant berating of fans who have optimistic views for the team?

 

[Shane]

He was so productive that they started him in 3 whole games. And then they let him go after one stellar 627 yard season.

I understand being pissed off at the team, but defending Thomas Jones is silly. He didn't want to be here and did what he needed to do to get away. That he grew up after leaving, well good for him.

But it doesn't mean I have to look back on his wasted time here with fondness, either.

The Shark

Defending him is not silly. Its only silly because you think he sucks or sucked and dont look at the entire situation. The bottom line is he never got a fair shake here. He was never truly OUTPLAYED by Pittman whom he was benched in favor of. So it is really rather puzzling to say the least. The guy could flat out get in the endzone inside the 10 when givin the opportunity and while he danced a little to much he was extremely talented. yes he left on fishy terms after his hand injury. But I cant say I really blame him considering the train wreck this team was at the time. But the kid had and has talent.

You only have to go to his stats since leaving the Cards to prove it. He is a damn good RB and was all along he just had a piss poor OL and a coach that some love affair with Pittman(it happens we all know coaches have "their guys") You posting his 627 yards is nice and all but it doesnt paint the whole picture. Yea that isnt a stellar amount for an entire season but he did rush for a MONSTER 4.6 yard average and was well over 100 yards in two of his three starts. Thats not even counting his 14 catches for 180 yards for 7.5 yard average which is extremely impressive as well. He was extremely productive when givin the chance.

He then left and signed a decent sized contract with the Bears and had 948 yards in 14 games and 1500 all purpose yards if you add his receptions. That again is production. If he hadent been hurt he would have easily topped 1,000 and would likely have had almost 2,000 yards in total offense.

People can sit and harp on the Bears drafting Benson and say that it showed a lack of confidence in TJ all they want. But the Bears likely used the BPA philosophy which would have no bearing on what they thought of TJ. Not to mention as far as RB's go who have an average NFL career of about 6 years of which TJ was entering his 6th season at the time. So it's no knock on TJ that the Bears drafted Benson who is extremely talented and still cant unseat TJ as the starting RB regardless of his draft status and TJ demanding more $ this last off season. The guy just flat out goes out and gets it done each and every week. It cant be proven but I would be willing to bet that you wouldnt find many RB's that would have fared much better here in AZ during the time he was here considering the personnel at the time. Maybe Barry Sanders.