Kevin Jones (American football)

Infobox NFLactive


name=Kevin Jones
|caption=
currentteam=Chicago Bears
currentnumber=27
currentposition=Running back
birthdate=birth date and age|1982|8|21
birthplace=Chester, Pennsylvania
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=228
debutyear=2004
debutteam=Detroit Lions
college=Virginia Tech
draftyear=2004
draftround=1
draftpick=30
pastteams=
* Detroit Lions (2004-2007)
* Chicago Bears (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* 2000 Hall Trophy Winner
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Rushing yards
statvalue1=3,067
statlabel2=Rushing average
statvalue2=4.0
statlabel3=Rushing TDs
statvalue3=24
nfl=JON520515

Kevin S. Jones (born August 21, 1982 in city-state|Chester|Pennsylvania) is an American football running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions 30th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech.

College career

Jones attended Virginia Tech where he finished his career there with 3,475 yards and 35 touchdowns on 616 carries (5.6 yards per car. avg.), and 24 receptions for 229 yards (9.5 yards per rec. avg.). His 3,475 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns both rank second on the school's career-record list.

Professional career

Detroit Lions

Jones had a very successful rookie season with the Lions and became only the third running back in franchise history to rush for 1,000+ yards in his rookie season, joining the ranks of Billy Sims and Hall of Famer Barry Sanders. He was sidelined at the end of the 2006 season with a Lisfranc fracture.

Jones, still working himself back from the Lisfranc fracture suffered in 2006, looked impressive early on in the season splitting carries with Tatum Bell and saw his first action as a starter in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jones rushed for 105 yards on 23 carries and 1 touchdown in his second start of the season in a Week 8 victory over the division rival Chicago Bears. [ [http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NFL&id=2659&line=102977&spln=1 Fantasy Football Breaking News - Rotoworld.com ] ] In Week 7, Jones became the full time starter, getting the bulk of the carries for the Lions, with backup T.J. Duckett seeing only limited action. But Jones injured himself again, creating concern about his durability.

On March 13, 2008, the Lions released Jones. However, it was reported that the team could bring him back at a reduced salary. [cite web|url=http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080313/SPORTS01/80313059/1049/rss14|title=Lions release Kevin Jones and Kalimba Edwards|date=2008-03-13|accessdate=2008-03-13|last=Cotsonika|first=Nicholas|publisher=Detroit Free Press]

In May 2008, the New England Patriots hosted a visit with Jones at Gillette Stadium. Back in the 2004 NFL Draft, the Patriots had been high on Jones when he was coming out of Virginia Tech, and were prepared to select him with the No. 32 overall selection in that draft, but the Lions selected him through a trade at No. 30. [cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story?id=09000d5d80848e21&template=with-video&confirm=true|title=Patriots continue to look to add depth - NFL.com]

Chicago Bears

On July 14, 2008, it was reported that Jones would sign with either the Chicago Bears or Pittsburgh Steelers the following day. On July 15, he signed a one-year, $605,000 contract with the Bears. [ [http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8347354/Bears-sign-RB-Jones-to-1-year-deal Bears sign Jones] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.chicagobears.com/team/player195.html Chicago Bears bio]
* [http://www.detroitlions.com/bio.cfm?bio_id=220&season=7 Detroit Lions bio]
* [http://www.hokiesports.com/football/players/2003/jones.html Virginia Tech Hokies bio]