Kevin Jones, Chicago Bears Running Back Profile and Scouting Report

Kevin Jones was a surefire NFL star at one point in time. The cocksure prospect out of the Philadelphia area was the most heavily recruited player in Virginia Tech history. The kid quickly declared himself as the starter and demanded to wear Michael Vick's old #7 jersey at Blacksburg. Despite such confidence, the youngster was to split carries during his first two seasons of college football and eventually donned the number twenty-five as a tribute to a deceased family friend. Kevin Jones broke out for 1,647 yards as a junior featured back in 2003. He was to finish this sterling Virginia Tech career with 3,475 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns to place second in both categories upon the all-time Hokies list. NFL personnel men were wowed by the 6'0, 210-pound Jones' ability to squat 600 pounds, bench press 400, and run a 4.33-40 yard dash.

The Detroit Lions took Kevin Jones as the 30^th overall pick in the stacked 2004 NFL Draft.

Jones, the third running back selected overall, started 14 games for the Detroit and torched defenses for 1,133 yards that season. Kevin Jones' combination of size, speed, and shake and bake moves electrified the Motor City with his impressive 4.7 yards per carry average. Although the 2004 Lions went 6-10, the offense bookended by rookies Kevin Jones and Roy Williams provided silver linings of hope. Kevin Jones was on his way.

That is, until the injuries set in.

Concerns about Jones' durability that haunted him into the NFL Draft began to emerge as this playmaker suffered through various foot, ankle, and leg injuries from 2005 - 2007. The running back's production fell off a cliff to 3.7 yards per rushing attempt and the young talent was forced to remake his game. Kevin Jones bulked up to 230 pounds and became more of a viable threat in the passing game. Indeed, Jones caught 61 balls for Detroit in 2006 within the pass-happy scheme of Mike Martz.

Kevin Jones blew out his knee late during the 2007 season and was cut by the Detroit Lions.

Jones was signed to the Bears for a one-year, $650,000 deal, in 2008 to add depth to a backfield riddled with question marks. Chicago had just shown the door to mercurial bust Cedric Benson and had yet to even work out Matt Forte at training camp.

Of course, Matt Forte eventually was the offense last season. The Bears have re upped Jones' terms, with a 2-year $3.5 million contract to effectively share the load and back up Matt Forte this upcoming 2009-2010 year.

Kevin Jones, Chicago Bears Running Back Scouting Report

Chicago Bears brass has indicated that Kevin Jones will play a larger role in the offensive scheme this season. Rookie sensation Matt Forte toted the rock for 316 carries and took 85% of the snaps at running back in 2008-2009. Forte must stay fresh to move the chains and lengthen his career.

Expect Kevin Jones to be The Man for 2 or 3 series and receive at least 10 touches of the football. This ball carrier must remain a physical, north and south, one-cut runner that hits the hole quickly. Jones will rely upon veteran vision, anticipation, and strength between the tackles to combat the loss of explosiveness arising from the laundry list of injuries that have sabotaged his career.

Jones is also a solid blocker and pass catcher.

Kevin Jones primary role is to spell Matt Forte and remain ready to play smart ball.

Bears Nation is anxious to determine whether Mr. Jones may reclaim some measure of his Detroit rookie year form into 2009. Jones, Adrian Peterson, and Garrett Wolfe were all disappointments behind Matt Forte's shining star last season.

Kevin Jones, Chicago Bears Running Back Must Stay Healthy

Backups Jones, Peterson, and Wolfe combined for a miserable 69 carries, 278 yards, and 0 touchdowns in 2008. Peterson has been unable to make plays and Garrett Wolfe is a diminutive 5'7 - 171 pounder that lacks the ability to gain traction against the Goliaths of the NFL. Kevin Jones, however, was felled by nagging hamstring injuries - yet again; and was limited to 34 carries for 109 yards in 2008.

I must speculate that fan favorite Adrian Peterson will be cut from the roster going into 2009 - 2010; and Garrett Wolfe is a gimmicky third-down back and special teamer at best.

Kevin Jones must stay healthy and contribute. Obviously, steering clear of the training room is easier said than done for this star-crossed player. Ironically, the injury bug has humbled Jones and he is now the perfect teammate that eagerly executes all assignments that he is given.

The formerly brash Va. Tech recruit and Lions draft pick actually requested to earn playing time with the special teams unit - just to get on the field last year. Jones was to accept several phone calls from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills that were excitedly seeking his services this offseason. The Bears actually matched offers twice from Buffalo, which features Marshawn Lynch as the current starter.

Two solid running backs are critical to successfully compete at the NFL level.

Indeed, there is still a market for Kevin Jones.

Kevin Jones, Chicago Bears Running Back Profile and Scouting Report, Sources:

Kevin Jones Profile, http://www.nfl.com/players/kevinjones/profile?id=JON520515

The Official Web Site of the Chicago Bears, http://www.chicagobears.com/index.html

Kevin Jones, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Jones_(American_football)

Kofi Bofah, Matt Forte, Chicago RB Profile and Scouting Report, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1746072/matt_forte_chicago_bears_running_back.html?cat=14