Free Agent Target: Mike Tolbert.

by sp0rtsfan86 on Jan 24, 2012 1:37 AM EST

I'm not going to lie, I love this guy. Maybe because he was the only guy on my fantasy team to do anything constantly. That being said, he would also be a perfect compliment to Shonn Greene.

He is a power back capable of hitting a 4th gear in the open. Plus he has always been in a platoon situation and is still relatively young at the age of 26 without much wear. Below, I'll give you a few reasons why I would want to see him as a Jet next year.

Tolbert's big advantage is his size: he's listed at 5'9 and 250. Looking at him coming at you is like watching a bowling ball. He's not a tall back, but with his frame, he's excellent at short yardage and goal line situations. Think Brandon Jacobs, but Tolbert doesn't suck. (sorry couldn't resist) The guy is a tank to bring down and will grind out the yardages in between the tackles. He is also a great pitch guy capable of turning it up field and bursting for a long gain. If Sparano wants to ground and pound, this guy would be lethal paired with Greene.

He does have great hands off the backfield too. He's an excellent option out of the backfield, especially on screens. Let's go to the video: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d814c0788/Mike-Tolbert-66-yd-TD. He had 6 receiving touchdowns on the year, a career high. (Considering he had to split time with Matthews, LT and Sproles his numbers tend to be lower than normal.) He ran a 4.58 in 08 at the combine but seems to be able to run faster than that when you watch him in person.

I think his greatest value may be his age and light wear on him. He has played 4 seasons but only has only 2 years where he's gotten over 100 carries. Chalk it up to being mostly a backup and goal line player most of his career. Considering how many backs start slowing down around this age due to the amount of hits, he seems like a guy who could last for a few more years than usual. If he does have a breakout year, this would probably be the season where he gets it.

Now for the tougher issue of payment He only made 1.8 million the last two years. I doubt he's going to get mega bucks, but a raise is in order but how much I really couldn't say. Depending on how the market plays out, I can defiantly see him getting anywhere between 2.0 -3.5 million next year in base salary. (Figure he's going to be paid outside the top 12 in backs) For his type of talent, I would not want to go too much more. I think two years and 4.5-7 million and a signing bonus about 1-2.5 million a year would be more than enough to entice him to NY. Considering he would be a great compliment to Greene and cement our ground and pound for a few years, it may be a great investment.

Yes, there are some downsides about him. One he is a little older, and a rookie could be had for cheaper. Also, he has had the injury bug bite him it seems every year. This year was no different, as he missed one game. Also he has never carried the full load nor anything near it. His career total for yards in 4 seasons is about 1500 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. That was more the system around him then anything else, as they always used him more as a short yardage back.

Still the risk/reward factor is through the roof. If he does become a free agent and remains cheap, I would love to have him as a compliment to Greene.

Anyone else with me?

Poll

Would you like to see Tolbert on the Jets in 2012?

Yes.

69 votes

No.

30 votes

99 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I like Tolbert too, and agree he would be a good back-up to Greene.

Tolbert and Greene have complimentary styles and you can swap one out for the other seemlessly without changing the blocking schemes or the rhythm of the o-line. And I really like the idea of have 2 big backs that run with violence, that you can interchange constantly so to keep both fresh and running with intensity.

And if we locked up Tolbert for a good price, we can double dip at other positions in the draft (eg snag 2 OLBs and/or 2 OLs), thereby lessening the odds of getting stuck with a bust.

by Crackback on Jan 24, 2012 7:26 AM EST reply actions

Totally agree...

I’ve mentioned it before on GGN. I would love to see us get a 4th-quarter guy like Tolbert. Get a lead, bring in fresh legs to attack the front of a defense that has been hit by Greene and chased McKnight all day, and bang away the quarter. And maybe hit ’em over the top with a final dagger when they are sufficiently beaten up.

I’m also with CB about the draft. There are enough adequate-but-not-great options for a rotational RB in FA. I’d rather pick one up for a year or two, find out what we have in Powell, and worry about the long-term future of the position next year. For this year’s draft, I want to get after the QB, build depth on the O-line, and find the future of the safety position—all of which I think is doable with the extra picks.

by jkoyon on Jan 24, 2012 8:24 AM EST up reply actions

Exactly Crackback.

I wasn’t sure how much he is going to get so thats the big question. I really also like the idea of being able to be flexible and draft for needs rather than getting a RB.

by sp0rtsfan86 on Jan 24, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

It'd be a duo similar to mcfadden and bush.

You can sub in one for the other and still get great production.

Let's Make sure we play like the f***in NEW YORK JETS
and not some f***in slapd**k team!

by jets4life24 on Jan 24, 2012 11:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Isn't Tolbert a restricted Free Agent ???

by JetOrange on Jan 24, 2012 8:30 AM EST reply actions

No, he's unrestricted.

- Attempting to debate with a person who has abandoned reason is like giving medicine to the dead.
- Defeat isn't bitter if you don't swallow it.

Contributing Writer to the The Phinsider

by Finhead83 on Jan 24, 2012 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

I voted NO.

As much as I like Tolbert, I voted No. Since we have many draft picks this year, I want to take someone younger and cheaper through the draft. I know RBs are not expensive in FA, but we do not have much cap space and rather spend the money on SF, OLB, or RT.

by makoshita on Jan 24, 2012 12:30 PM EST reply actions

i like him

i think whoever we may bring in at RB we should be looking for a big guy who could potentially fill in for connor if needed . that would help justify bringing in a FA RB even more in my eyes

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i want jeffery in green at pick 16

Notre Dame vs. Navy: The Emerald Isle Classic
Date:Sept. 1, 2012
Location:Dublin, Ireland

by tinley24 on Jan 24, 2012 12:49 PM EST reply actions

Replacement for the great Leon Washington

He can product like Leon and make people miss, catch the ball out of the backfield and be Mark Sanchez’s best friend blocking and safety valve. We and the Jets need someone like that in our backfield. Get him Tanny

by SteveK on Jan 24, 2012 1:42 PM EST reply actions

I doubt he'll be as cheap as you seem to think he will be

by J-Nasty on Jan 24, 2012 1:48 PM EST reply actions

Maybe if he came cheap

But if he was to cost more than $2 million per year, but the Jets have bigger priorities and not much cap room. I know they can use the $1.5 million exception to get a reprieve, but much of the higher priced guys won’t create much room if released. Players that recently signed new deals like Revis and Harris have higher signing bonuses that can’t be reduced either as well. And remember, that $1.5 million will just be taken out of future salary caps. Is it worth it for Tolbert?

If the Jets used the $3 million cap exception in 2011, then the salary cap for them in 2012 will be reduced by approximately $750k as the hits are spread over future years. Even if estimates are the Jets had $8 million or so in unused cap space that they can carry forward into 2012 and they use the $1.5 million exception, they’d still find themselves close to being $10 million under and still have Pouha as a free agent and approximatelt $5 million reserved for the draft. I just think the money could be better used somewhere else.

- Attempting to debate with a person who has abandoned reason is like giving medicine to the dead.
- Defeat isn't bitter if you don't swallow it.

Contributing Writer to the The Phinsider

by Finhead83 on Jan 24, 2012 2:36 PM EST reply actions

I agree

Either go to the draft and get a stud like Richardson or Lamar Miller (who I love) that will replace Greene, or go to the draft later and find someone cheap. Ricky Williams got 2.5 mil from Baltimore, Marion Barber got 2 years/4.6 mil from Chicago, and neither of them were nearly as productive or fresh as Tolbert is going into free agency. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets 4 mil a year to platoon with someone. That team shouldn’t be the Jets.

I’m not for signing any back unless they are a starting caliber stud who’s going to come in and take Greene’s place. Otherwise, you are throwing money at a non-need. People complained that McKnight didn’t get enough touches, that’s because there’s not enough touches to go around for 3 running backs. Someone’s going to get short-changed.

by J-Nasty on Jan 24, 2012 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

No. I doubt he comes back as cheap as you say so. Money shuld be spent other places before RB, like RT, WR, S, OLB. Only RB I’m willing to add to the roster this year is Richardson if he somehow falls to 16. I would keep LT for cheaper to be the 3rd down RB again this year before signing Tolbert

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!!!!!!!!!!

by TheSanchize6 on Jan 24, 2012 5:09 PM EST reply actions

No Deal, lets work on the o-line or S

As much as I like Tolbert I feel like many of us feel that money should be spent else where. Besides getting a compliment back I feel we definitely need some O-line, WR help on offense and definitely an upgrade at Safety. As much as I love Leonard age and size will ultimately be his demise as I can see him being let go this off-season and seeing us draft a bigger, younger Safety first round to replace him as a continual effort to make this D the #1 defense in the league. (Mark Barron Alabama if he falls?)

RB doesn’t worry me as much and I do feel confident with Greene as a full feature back, the O-line is where I see the problem. We have a all-pro left hand side yet we run alot more to our right side. Much can probably be accounted for with that analysis but my overall idea here is playing to our strengths which I feel time and time again the Jets don’t do a good job, no identity.

The Jets averaged 25.59 yards per drive this year which ranked 28th in the NFL and with INTs per drive we were 20th. I’m not one of those Sanchez needs to go fans however, Sanchez, Shotty and the O-line played a major role in the offensive circle of life in 2011. With Shotty out, and Sanchez we know is going to be back lets work on the third part. Out of 16 QBs with atleast 500 passing attempts Sanchez ranks last in yards/att and times being sacked. Upgrade the offensive line and a new OC hopefully turns around a 20th or worst ranked offense to a very balanced team that can shut down an O and smoke a D.

by tucci453 on Jan 24, 2012 11:31 PM EST reply actions