If you need a refresher on the rules for the series or a run down of previous match-ups? Here is the rules and history thread:
"Close Calls 2006" - A Sportsoutlaw.com Exclusive
Remember, this is based on re-draft leagues.
Today's Match-up:

Kevin Jones - RB - Det *vs* Julius Jones - RB - Dal

Last Year's Stats:
Kevin Jones - 13 gms - 664 yds - 5 TD's - 20 rec - 109 rec yds - 0 TD
Julius Jones - 13 gms - 993 yds - 5 TD's - 35 rec - 218 yds - 0 TD

The Battle of the Jones. Both came into last year with a ton of hype. And both rewarded owners you bought that hype with a big rotten egg! Both of these backs were huge disappointments last year top say the least. So can iether bounce back and fulfill the promise that flashed during their rookie years? Can either stay healthy for a full season? Will either be over taken by another talented youngster lurking in the background? These are just some of the questions you will have to answer in today's "Close Call."

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Well, can't wait to hear the theories on this one.

Julius Jones has shown better hands, although I've always seen both as mediocre #2's with decent potential. As I expected, neither really fulfilled much of it last season. I give the advantage to Julius, because while Marion Barber is lurking, Julius seems to have put up more flashes of brilliance than Kevin. He also doesn't have Arlan right behind him and a kid named Calhoun waiting for a shot. Julius' offensive situation is also much better, and I just can't see Kevin surpassing Julius' production this season barring injury (which Kevin handles less well).

this one is pretty similar to a close call between barf and diarhhea for me.

Where the hell is the NONE OF THE ABOVE???

Jeez, talk about the decision of a rock and a hard place......

Okay...Well, I have to go Julius Jones here.
I am not high on either, but the fact is, if Julius can stay healthy, the Dallas offense could potentially explode and have huge holes for Julius to run through.

Martz likes his rbs to catch as much as run, and Kevin, who is a talent....is not a talent there.

so I will say Julius.

**edit for realilty** Neither will last a whole season though..so it don't really matter!

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Expert on nothing, opinionated on everything...

This is a tight one in too many ways, but if I HAD to pick one, then I would go with Jones.

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Your ability to stretch and make a tough decision is absolutely over whelming..

Definately cant go wrong with picking "jones" here, LOL

Personally, I expect both of these guys to be improved this year.

• Injury Concern - If I am going to consider either of these guys a high injury risk, it will be Kevin Jones. Up to this point, it just seems like it has taken less to knock him out of a game. With Julius Jones, I don't really look at someone experiencing these injuries as being "injury prone". I know it sounds like a homer thing to say, but watching both of these injuries happen, I stand behind the theory that anybody else in these situations would have experienced the same results.
• Athletic Ability - Both of these runnin back has #1 ability, but I give the edge to Julius Jones. Jones can run between the tackles and to the outside equally well, and has the burst in the open field that Kevin Jones simply doesn't have.
• The offense - Forget about stacking everybody in the box this season in Dallas. If you do, the ball is going in the air. There are plenty receiving options in Dallas, and Bledsoe is more than capable of getting the ball downfield quickly. This will open things up for Julius Jones this year.
  As for Detroit, the offense should be improved, but it is a new offense for everyone, and their will be a learning curve. Kevin Jones will be a big part of this offense, but he will be spending part of this season learning a new style of play. (and I am not buying the statement that he can't do it. Just because he has never been in the situation doesn't mean he cant convert his game).
  Both will be good, I just think Julius Jones will be more explosive, more often.

I love where these guys are being drafted this year. You can pick either of these guys up late in the 2nd round and you are getting first round talent. Is there risk involved in both? yes. I am a believer thought that you increase your chances of winning by taking some calculated risks. Both are good risks to take where they are being drafted, Julius Jones has the best chance to give you better results.

no offense, but if these guys are "first round talent", then so are like 20 RBs, 2 or 3 QBs, and about 8 WRs.

They are.....





























in a 40 team league.

No offense to you as well, Bomb, but you can't really say that. If Kevin can work on his pass catching while thriving in Martz's offense, and can stay healthy while the team plays better than they have in the past few years, it's not a terrible guess to say he could get 1,400 total yards this season. Same with Julius, he can catch decently and really hasn't had a chance at a full season yet. With the passing games opening up the running game very well, there's always a solid chance that Jones could be a top 10 RB drafted in the late 2nd round. Sure you could say that about any back, but most of those backs have had full seasons and shown their talent levels. These guys really haven't had the chance to do so.

if 1400 total yards is the number we're shooting at, i think you could make a legitimate argument for the following:

portis, LJ, LT2, alexander, sjax, barber, rudi, jordan, edge, westbrook, dunn, mcgahee, d davis, j lewis, droughns, parker

theyve all done it already. and the following backs who have a decent shot but havent had a full healthy season as "the guy" just yet...

c taylor, j jones, k jones, r brown, cadillac, benson, bell, gore, and possibly addai and bush

so i count 26 RBs with a possibility at the top 10. all guys who i could pretty easily see ending up in the top 10 by seasons end. and presumably thus all guys who should be first round picks...

Eh I don't know about Willie Parker. Caddy doesn't really catch..Bell wouldn't start enough for that..Gore? He hasn't done like anything. Addai won't have the starting job, and I don't see Bush playing enough for 1,400 yards.

By my count, that leaves 20 RB who could land at top 10. You're picking in a 20 team league right now, so that makes me right

parker aleady had 1400+ last year and that was with bettis around.

anyways, i cant wait to see the guy who passes on peyton manning at 1.20 to take benson or droughns. lol.

Da Bomb is correct. I think he made that comment in some sort of arguement to my post, but it was actually the point I was trying to make.

Everybody on Da Bomb's list have the "talent" to put up first round numbers. Where you win at this game, is plucking the guys out of the draft that will indeed live up to the potential. If someone takes the gamble on either of these guys, and they do in fact put up the high numbers they are capable of, then they have accomplished the goal of making a good "risky" pick.

As for 1400 total yards, I would still classify them as 2nd round talent at that point. Julius was between 1200-1300 in 13 games with limited playing time last year.

if i had to choose between these two, im taking kevin jones because i see the system in place for much greater upside. so that was my vote. but honestly, out of the 26 guys i listed above (and i forgot foster cuz i hate him), im betting that both jones would be in the bottom 5-7 guys in my list of potential top 10 guys. im just not feeling it.

What are you feeling??????

Julius keeping Kevin at bay so far, 6-4

Ha, a friend just told me he grabbed Kevin Jones in the 8th round of his recent live draft on Yahoo with 10 teams.

Looks as though we know whose stock is really higher.