New Orleans Saints sign Julius Jones
The New Orleans Saints have signed former Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones off waivers after the Seahawks released him to clear a roster spot for Marshawn Lynch, who was brought in from the Buffalo Bills last week.
In order to make room for Jones, the Saints have released 46-year-old kicker John Carney.
Carney had been brought in to compete for the kicking job in New Orleans after kicker Garrett Hartley had struggled early in the season, missing a couple of chip shots, including one in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons. Unfortunately, the missed shot
ended up costing the Saints the game.
Although they have one of the most high-powered passing offences in the game, led by quarterback Drew Brees, the team has begun to look uni-dimensional with virtually no running game to speak of. The move to bring in Jones is a clear sign that the Saints
are looking to address that fact.
Reggie Bush has been out with a fractured right leg, and leading rusher Pierre Thomas has missed the last two games due to a bad ankle.
The responsibility of running the football has fallen to backup Ladell Betts and undrafted rookie Chris Ivory. Betts had trouble controlling the football last week, giving up a fumble which led to a touchdown, and tipped a pass that was intercepted.
The Saints are ranked 29th in the league, with only the Denver Broncos behind them.
Julius Jones had been the Seahawks leading rusher in each of the last two seasons, but hadn't been receiving the ball very much since the start of the season, with most of the work being given to Justin Forsett.
Jones has run for 30 yards on only 12 carries so far this season, and will be hoping to get more chances to run the ball with the Saints.
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