Thomas Jones News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

December 9

Kansas City Star

"The Jets thought so highly of Thomas Jones that when he left last season to sign as a free agent with the Chiefs, they took out a full-page ad in The Kansas City Star thanking him for his "three great seasons." Jones had the best season of his 12-year NFL career with the Jets in 2009, right before he signed with the Chiefs. He rushed for career highs of 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns that season. Jones plays against the Jets on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J., for the first time since leaving. "The thing is, this organization and myself included, I thought the world of Thomas," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "We all did, and we all do. But not this week. This week we have to put it on him. He's"

Chiefs' Thomas Jones has best performance of season

November 22

Kansas City Star

"The old man showed Monday that, as the doubts grew that his career was finished, there might be life yet left in those legs. Chiefs running back Thomas Jones, slowed this season presumably by his age, had his best game of the season in the Chiefs' 34-3 loss to the New England Patriots. He rushed for 48 yards in eight carries, and it was the season-long 26-yarder that stirred memories of the powerful, shifty runner of the past. As always, Jones' mood was determined by the game's outcome. "We didn't win the game," he said, "and that's what we came up here to do. I can't feel good about a good run or a couple good plays, if we didn't win the game. It doesn't make sense.""

Chiefs' Thomas Jones has best performance of season

November 22

Kansas City Star

"The old man showed Monday that, as the doubts grew that his career was finished, there might be life yet left in those legs. Chiefs running back Thomas Jones, slowed this season presumably by his age, had his best game of the season in the Chiefs' 34-3 loss to the New England Patriots. He rushed for 48 yards in eight carries, and it was the season-long 26-yarder that stirred memories of the powerful, shifty runner of the past. As always, Jones' mood was determined by the game's outcome. "We didn't win the game," he said, "and that's what we came up here to do. I can't feel good about a good run or a couple good plays, if we didn't win the game. It doesn't make sense.""

Thomas Jones' production has slipped, but his work ethic hasn't

November 11

Kansas City Star

"Thomas Jones looks the same. Same broad shoulders and wide stance. Same direct stare and determined words. There's enough youth in his face and body to still have hope, even as the weeks pass and another NFL running back's inevitable reality becomes more difficult to ignore. Jones, the Chiefs' veteran running back, said he doesn't know why this season has been a disappointment. He said, and maybe he believes, that his age, 33, isn't a factor and that he hasn't been rendered ineffective. "I have no idea," Jones said, standing near his locker this week. "I'm preparing the exact same way. Same thing. Same way. Nothing different." The results have not been the same. Two years after rushing for"

Report: Jonathan Baldwin hurts wrist in locker room fight

August 19

Pro Football Talk

"Chiefs first round wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin was mysteriously missing from Chiefs practice on Wednesday. A radio report in Kansas City hinted there may be more to the story, but we passed on mentioning it until more information came out. Well, it's out now. If Nick Wright of 610 radio in Kansas City is right, the story is a doozy. Wright reports that Baldwin will likely miss the rest of the preseason after injuring his wrist during a locker room scuffle with teammate Thomas Jones. Baldwin's work ethic has reportedly been an issue."

Thomas Jones joins 10,000-yard club

December 20

Kansas City Star

"A 4-yard carry by Thomas Jones on the first play from scrimmage in the second half Sunday put him over 10,000 in his career. Jones is the 25th runner in NFL history to get to 10,000 rushing yards and just the third active one. "That's amazing for me, especially from where I started in Arizona," Jones said. "I had a tough start. It says a lot about my family, my support system. "It's definitely something you can back on when your career is over and be proud of." Jones is in his 11th NFL season. He had fewer than 1,300 yards total for his first three NFL seasons, all with the Cardinals."

Chiefs running back Jones doesn't think playing time will be problem

April 13

Kansas City Star

"At some point during the season, the Chiefs may not have enough playing time to keep running backs Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles happy. That's a situation of their own making, having been created last month when the Chiefs signed the veteran Jones to compete for playing time with Charles. The Chiefs don't appear to believe it will be a problem - and, for now at least, Jones doesn't either. "I don't think like that," said Jones, who last season with the New York Jets rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns, both career highs. "I feel like, by me working as hard as I can during the week to get prepared, I will be in a position to do what I need to help the team win. I have"

LaDainian Tomlinson is a Hall of Famer, but New York Jets' doubt of Thomas Jones may be mistake

March 15

New York Daily News

"There is only one LT when it comes to New York football and that's the way it should have remained. LaDainian Tomlinson is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and has stood for everything right in the NFL in his nine years in the league, so this has nothing to do with what he has accomplished or who he is. It's all about what he has left. Didn't Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum watch the tapes of their playoff victory over the Chargers? Tomlinson averaged just 3.3 yards per carry in the regular season then looked like he was running in mud with dead legs against the Jets, carrying 12 times for 24 yards. On nine first-down runs, he came up with only 19 yards. He caught four passes for zero yards. In a"

Jets GM on Jones, Cromartie, Rhodes, Sanchez, Washington

March 13

New York Post

"Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum appeared on WFAN this morning to talk about a variety of topics. Here's some of what he had to say: On Thomas Jones: Tannenbaum would not confirm reports that the Jets were given a chance to match the offer Thomas Jones received from the Chiefs, but he did not deny it, either. Jones was released by the Jets rather than paying him $5.8 million to stay, a choice that upset some players and fans heading into a season without a salary cap. "It was really a hard decision for Woody (Johnson), Rex (Ryan) and I because he meant so much to our program," Tannenbaum said. "In this job sometimes you have to make the hard decisions and that certainly was one of the tougher ones"

Report: Chiefs have interest in Jones

March 6

New York Post

"NFL.com reports the Chiefs are interested in free agent running back Thomas Jones, who was officially released by the Jets today. Jason La Canfora writes the Jets "remain interested in bringing back their leading rusher for a lesser price tag.""

Rhodes staying with Jets; Jones looking elsewhere

March 6

New York Post

"Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said today the team plans to pay Kerry Rhodes a $2 million roster bonus and the safety will be on the team this season. "We expect Kerry to be here and we expect him to be in the offseason program,'' Tannenbaum said. Tannenbaum, speaking on a conference call to discuss last night's trade for cormerback Antonio Cromartie, also addressed Thomas Jones' future."

Door not shut on Jones yet

March 5

New York Post

"Is it possible that Thomas Jones isn't finished with the Jets after all? Though the Jets told Jones earlier this week they were going to release him today rather than pay him the $3 million roster bonus he was scheduled to earn, a report surfaced yesterday that said they were interested in re-signing Jones after he was released. Though the Jets would not comment about the possibility of Jones remaining with the team, a source familiar with the Jets' thinking told The Post that likelihood is remote, though the door was not completely closed. Should the Jets choose to bring Jones back, there is a precedent for this kind of maneuver."

Jets may try to re-sign veteran RB Thomas Jones, says report

March 4

Newark Star-Ledger

"Thomas Jones might still be wearing a Jets uniform next season, even though he is expected to be released by the team before he is due a roster bonus on Friday.Just saw a report on Profootballtalk.com that the Jets plan to try to bring veteran running back Thomas Jones back and I don't think it's totally out of the question. But whether the Jets can get deal done that is more appeasing to the team isn't guaranteed. The Jets plan to release Jones on Friday because he refused to take a pay cut and the impending move isn't sitting well with his teammates and quite frankly, is a bit odd with the Jets being a team built to win now. Even at 32t, Jones can help a team on the verge of a Super Bowl"

RB Thomas Jones will sign with Lions, SI writer predicts

March 4

Detroit News

"Free-agent running back Thomas Jones will sign with the Lions, but he should sign with the New England Patriots. That was the prediction and opinion offered Wednesday by Don Banks of Sports Illustrated. Jones, 31, gained 1,402 yards and scored 14 touchdowns for the Jets last season. He was released last week in a cost-cutting move, and the Jets appear confident that Shonn Greene will emerge as their feature back."

Thomas Jones can blame the Colts

March 3

Bergen Record

"Maybe Thomas Jones should blame Bill Polian. As it turns out, Indianapolis' decision not to pursue perfection, orchestrated by team president Polian, may wind up impacting the Jets much more than the Colts. The Jets' subsequent playoff run after their win over the conceding Colts on Dec. 27 gave then-rookie running back Shonn Greene a chance to showcase his talents, and the effects of a nagging knee injury during the postseason suggested that perhaps Jones, 31, is about to decline. So the Jets' impending release of Jones on Friday has a lot to do with what happened during the playoffs. But is it the correct decision? Well, general manager Mike Tannenbaum has pushed enough of the right"

Jets' Jones to be set free

March 2

Bergen Record

"As expected, the Jets confirmed Monday they will release veteran running back Thomas Jones on Friday, enabling him to become a free agent. Jones, who will turn 32 in August, had career highs in carries (331) and rushing yards (1,402) for the Jets last season, his third year with the club. The Jets wanted Jones to take a pay cut, but he would not rework his contract. General manager Mike Tannenbaum said in a statement; "We have informed Thomas Jones and his representatives that we will release him on March 5. Thomas joined us three years ago and has been a productive, passionate leader both on and off the field who has served as a positive influence for our younger players. We were"

Jets players grumble about release of running back Thomas Jones

March 2

New York Daily News

"The Jets made it official Monday, announcing that leading rusher Thomas Jones will be released Friday at the start of free agency - a decision that stung several veterans on the team. "I can tell you, it's not going to be a popular move in the locker room," said one player, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "We loved T.J. The man loved the game and put it all on the line only to get dumped after his best season. I think you should reward players for performance. You dump him but give Vernon (Gholston) another shot? Doesn't make sense." The Jets issued a statement, with team officials praising Jones for being a "productive, passionate leader," as GM Mike Tannenbaum said. Rex Ryan said"

Jets to Cut Jones, Latest Unemployed Running Back

March 2

New York Times

"The Jets announced Monday that they would release running back Thomas Jones when free agency begins Friday. The move seemed inevitable once it became clear that Jones, who will turn 32 before the start of the 2010 season, would not restructure his contract to save the Jets a $3 million roster bonus due next week. Jones rushed for a career-high 1,402 yards in 2009, carrying the burden for an offense trying to insulate the rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez during the Jets' unexpected run to the American Football Conference championship game. Jones scored 31 touchdowns in three Jets seasons and was a well-regarded, durable player - he did not miss a game during his Jets tenure. General Manager"

Jets are playing with TJ dynamite

March 2

New York Post

"Keep an eye out for this transaction on Friday: Jets release running back Thomas Jones. Don't be fooled by the small print. This could become a big deal. The Jets officially announcing yesterday that they'll part ways with Jones, leaving him with the requisite canned empty verbal bouquets from general manager Mike Tannenbaum and head coach Rex Ryan, is a dangerous roll of the dice that has potential to haunt them this year. There was no need to make this move for a number of reasons."

Jets to release running back Thomas Jones as early as today

March 1

Newark Star-Ledger

"What seemed like a foregone conclusion this weekend could become official as early as today with the Jets releasing veteran running back Thomas Jones. The move will end Jones' three-year run with the team. He will be given his walking papers despite rushing for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, both career-highs. The two sides decided to part ways when Jones, who turns 32 in August, refused to renegotiate his contract, a deal that called for him to receive a $3 million roster bonus on March 9 and a $2.8 million base salary in 2010. The club and general manager Mike Tannenbaum both declined comment this morning. Jones, who turns 32 in August, will be sorely missed by his teammates."

Jets set to release running back Thomas Jones

March 1

Bergen Record

"Running back Thomas Jones will not rework his contract, according to a source close to the situation, and thus likely will be released by the Jets this week. The Jets wanted the veteran, who is scheduled to make $2.8 million in base salary in 2010, to take a pay cut. Jones, 31, rushed for a career-high 1,402 yards last season, but wasn't productive during the playoffs because of a nagging knee injury. Jones, who was due a $3 million roster bonus, is considered expendable by the Jets because of the emergence of then-rookie Shonn Greene during the postseason."

Source: Jets' RB Thomas Jones gone

February 28

New York Post

"The Jets will release Thomas Jones this week after the team's leading rusher refused to renegotiate his deal, a team source confirmed yesterday. The Post reported in yesterday's editions that the two sides were likely headed for divorce. Jones, who rushed for 1,402 and 14 touchdowns but saw his roll reduced in the playoffs as rookie Shonn Greene emerged, is due to make $5.8 million in bonus money and base salary next season."

Jets part ways with running back Thomas Jones

February 28

New York Daily News

"A little over a month after Thomas Jones gained one of the biggest yards of his career, the running back's three-year run with the Jets is over. Jones' release is all but a formality now. The Daily News has learned that Jets have decided to part ways with their leading rusher. Jones, 31, is set to make a $3 million bonus to go along with the $2.8 million salary he is supposed to be paid this season. Instead of paying Jones that type of money, the Jets are ready to go with second-year running back Shonn Greene as their feature back, with Leon Washington expected to be fully recovered from a broken leg by the time the season starts. Jones will join LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook as"

Jets running back Thomas Jones expected to be released this week

February 28

Newark Star-Ledger

"Jets running back Thomas Jones has refused to rework his contract and is expected to be released this week, according to a team official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he's not authorized to speak publicly. Jones, who is due to earn a $3 million roster bonus on March 9 and a $2.8 million base salary in 2010, turns 32 in August. The Jets didn't want to commit that kind of money to an aging running back and wanted Jones to rework his contract. Last season, Jones rushed for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns, both career highs. However, he faded down the stretch, rushing for just 117 yards and a touchdown on 45 carries in the postseason (2.6-yard average), raising a red flag."

Jets GM hints at divorce with vet RB Thomas Jones

February 27

New York Post

"Thomas Jones' productive marriage with the Jets appears headed for divorce. Speaking yesterday at the scouting combine, Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum made it sound as if Jones soon will join LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook on the list of prominent veteran running backs forced to the unemployment line this month. "We are getting closer to a decision there, but nothing has been finalized yet," Tannenbaum said. "All I can say is we were fortunate we traded for him three years ago." Releasing the 31-year-old Jones before the start of free agency on Friday would likely based more on money than his production. Jones ran for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, but is due $5.8 million in"

Jets about to part with Jones

February 27

New York Post

"Thomas Jones' productive marriage with the Jets appears headed for divorce. Speaking to reporters here today at the scouting combine, Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum made it sound as if Jones would soon join LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook on the list of prominent veteran running backs forced to the unemployment line this month. We are getting closer to a decision there, but nothing has been finalized yet," Tannenbaum said. "All I can say is we were fortunate we traded for him three years ago." Releasing the 31-year-old Jones before the start of free agency next Friday would likely be a matter of money much more than production. Jones ran for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns last season but"

Biggs: Bears unlikely to bring back Jones

February 26

Chicago Tribune

"For the third consecutive season, the Bears will try to replace Thomas Jones. They did a pretty good job in 2008 when Matt Forte had one of the finest rookie season for a running back in franchise history. But Forte and the running game struggled a year ago and now the team has to re-evaluate what it is doing, especially in light of the addition of offensive coordinator Mike Martz. The club is likely to seek a complementary back for this season and what better back to replace Jones than, well, Jones? As Dave Hutchinson of the Newark Star-Ledger reports, Jones could be forced to take a pay cut - or else - by the New York Jets, the team general manager Jerry Angelo gave Jones to in 2008 for"

Jets' Moore sympathizes with Thomas Jones

February 26

New York Post

"Brandon Moore was released by the Jets around this time last year because management didn't want to pay a roster bonus, so he knows exactly what's going through the mind of running back Thomas Jones right now. With the March 5 start of the NFL's 2010 calendar year fast approaching and Jones due a $3 million roster bonus, there's been rampant speculation the Jets want the 31-year-old running back to take a pay cut to remain on the team. That's a harsh reality of the business considering Jones won the AFC rushing title in 2008 and ran for 1,402 in 2009. Moore, who was re-signed by the Jets days after being released, is one of many players on the team -- which led the NFL in rushing offense"

Jets, Jones' agent are set to meet

February 25

New York Post

"Despite one of the best years of his career last season, it's no secret that a different number -- the $5.8 million due him in roster bonuses and salary -- would determine Thomas Jones' future with the Jets. Along those lines, GM Mike Tannenbaum is expected to meet with the 32-year-old running back's agent here during the scouting combine this week, most likely to discuss Jones' willingness to accept a substantial pay cut to remain with the team. If Jones doesn't agree to a reduction, it appears likely the Jets will make him join LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook on the list of heralded backs to be released in the days leading up to the March 5 start of free agency."

Running back Thomas Jones, New York Jets yards apart financially

January 29

New York Daily News

"Mike Tannenbaum hopes to have Thomas Jones back next season - but at the Jets' price. The GM said Thursday that the running back's future with the team hinges on "economic issues." Considering that Jones is due a $3 million roster bonus in March, the Jets may not want to pay that to bring back their starting running back. Jones, 31, is due to make a total of $5.8 million in the final year of his deal, including the bonus. "We expect T.J. to be back," Tannenbaum said. "There are some economic issues that obviously have to be looked at over the next month but we hope that he is back, and he's done a lot for our team, both on and off the field. We have a month to see how that plays out, but"

Thomas Jones a no-show as New York Jets clean out for winter

January 26

New York Daily News

"As the Jets returned to their training facility in Florham Park to clear out their lockers Monday, Thomas Jones was noticeably absent. While fellow running backs Leon Washington and Shonn Greene chatted freely with reporters, reflecting on a season that ended with a loss to the Colts in the AFC Championship Game, Jones was nowhere to be found. The Jets' rushing attack was also conspicuously absent after Greene was knocked out with bruised ribs just two plays into the third quarter, placing the burden on Jones to continue the ground-and-pound attack. The veteran gained just 42 yards on 16 carries and lacked the energetic bursts that typified his rookie counterpart's running. With the"

Last game as a Jet for Thomas Jones? Maybe.

January 24

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"There's a chance that Sunday's AFC Championship could be the last time we see running back Thomas Jones in a Jets uniform. Granted, if Rex Ryan's squad rolls into Indianapolis and knocks off the Colts, Jones and his teammates will be off to Miami to play in Super Bowl XLIV in two weeks. However, if New York fails to take down Peyton Manning and the Colts at Lucas Oil Field on Sunday, Thomas Jones' time as a Jet could be over. But why would the Jets want to let go of a running back who is coming off a season in which he posted career-highs in rushing yards (1,402, third in NFL) and rushing touchdowns (14, tied for third in NFL)? For starters, Jones is due a $3 million roster bonus on March"

Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene lead New York Jets' potent rushing attack in win over Chargers

January 18

New York Daily News

"Thomas Jones needed one yard to get the Jets into the AFC Championship Game. He got two. On fourth-and-1 at the San Diego 29 and with 1:09 remaining, the Jets decided to go for it, knowing that the one yard was all they needed to vanquish the Chargers, who were out of timeouts. They called their bread-and-butter play, their power rush to the right. And once Jones squeezed through a crack for the first down, the Jets could celebrate a stunning 17-14 victory. For the second straight week, rookie Shonn Greene ran for over 100 yards, while Jones picked up key yards when the Jets needed them. They'll try to make that formula work again next week in Indianapolis and run their way to the Super"

NY Jets running back Thomas Jones plays down bruised knee, says he is '100 percent'

January 16

Newark Star-Ledger

"Thomas Jones quickly batted down questions about his physical health Friday. In fact, the Jets running back said he was baffled earlier this week when coach Rex Ryan was asked if Jones' bruised right knee would require offseason surgery. "I don't even know where this stuff came from," Jones said Friday. "I banged my knee on the turf. We had about seven guys that got nicked up from the turf. I banged my knee on the turf at the Meadowlands, it was so cold. So it was just a bruise; it wasn't a big deal." Jones' production did dip in the wild-card win against the Bengals - he picked up 34 yards on 15 carries - one week after he banged his knee in the Jets' regular-season finale against the"

New York Jets running back Thomas Jones says bruised knee is no big deal

January 16

New York Daily News

"Running back Thomas Jones declared himself "good to go" for tomorrow's AFC divisional playoff game against the Chargers. Jones, who wore a brace on his right knee and only rushed 15 times in last week's wild-card win over the Bengals, said he felt 100%. "I was ready to play last week. I had to wear a brace last week just for comfort," he said. "But other than that, I'm good to go." Jones, who set career highs in rushing yards (1,402) and carries (331) this season, said he bruised his knee on the hard turf at the Meadowlands in the regular-season finale. "There have been all these questions about surgery and I don't know where that come from," Jones said. "I banged my knee on the turf in"

Jones: I'm good to go

January 16

New York Post

"Thomas Jones insisted his troublesome knee felt fine yesterday and said it won't be prohibitive for him tomorrow. Jones missed practice on Wednesday, though coach Rex Ryan assured reporters that day that his 1,400-yard back could have practiced if need be. Jones was back on the field Thursday, and he downplayed the knee yesterday, saying it had just been bruised. "I was ready to play last week. I had to wear a brace last week just because for comfort," he said. "But other than that, I'm good to go." Jones only carried the ball 15 times in the Jets' wild-card win over the Bengals. He hardly tore it up, rushing for just 34 yards. In fact, in the Jets' past two games combined (both against"

As Thomas Jones' numbers start to wilt, Shonn Greene begins to blossom for New York Jets

January 11

New York Daily News

"Thomas Jones enjoyed the most productive regular season in his 10-year career, but it also was the most taxing as he carried 331 times, his highest total ever. That's a lot of mileage for 31-year-old legs, even for a workout warrior like Jones - and it appears to be catching up to him. Jones' efficiency started to decline four games ago, but it has been more pronounced over the last two - 112 yards on 42 carries, a 2.7 average. The good news for the Jets is that it has created a bigger role for rookie Shonn Greene, who is running wild with the opportunity. The concern is that the "Ground and Pound" approach could be less effective if there's an imbalance between "Ground" and "Pound." Jones"

2 who got away from Chicago Bears having great success

January 9

Chicago Tribune

"It was a breakdown over the last three seasons that brought the Bears' brain trust together at Halas Hall for a news conference Tuesday in which it pledged to get things straight. Nothing since the team's loss in Super Bowl XLI has been worse than the handling of the backfield, and it will be on display Saturday in the NFL playoffs' wild card round as the Jets ride a career-best season from Thomas Jones into Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium to face Cedric Benson and the Bengals. The pair that combined for 1,857 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Bears in 2006 has flourished, and now the trade of Jones to the Jets to move up in the second round of the 2007 draft looks worse than the selection"

Bengals' Benson, Jets' Jones banged heads, fists in Chicago

January 9

New York Post

"Cedric Benson knew he and Thomas Jones would be in the playoffs together. He just thought it would be on the same sideline, not the opposing. The two running backs shared a backfield with the Bears for two tumultuous seasons in which they banged heads (and sometimes fists) over playing time. Three years removed from playing together, they square off today in the AFC playoffs, with Benson leading the Bengals' rushing attack and Jones leading the Jets'. "We would complement each other real well," Benson said this week. "I'm sure some people, very few people, in Chicago saw that. They would have made it work if it was enough (people)." The truth is the mix of Benson and Jones was toxic from"

Jones sets rush mark

January 4

New York Post

"In what was one of the most egregious snubs of this NFL season, Thomas Jones was omitted from the Pro Bowl when the teams were announced last week. Jones, however, entered last night's game against the Bengals with a chance to achieve a significant personal goal. He needed 12 yards to set a career high for rushing yards -- and he got it with 78 yards on 27 carries in the Jets' 37-0 romp. Jones, who entered last night ranked fourth in the NFL and second in the AFC with 1,324 yards, finished the regular season with 1,413 yards, surpassing his previous high of 1,335 he gained in 2005 when he played for the Bears."

Jones, 'D', not QB, will carry Jets

December 15

New York Post

columnist Mike Vaccaro

"This was an NFL front-office executive from an out-of-contention team speaking yesterday morning after spending a good portion of his Sunday night watching tape of the Jets' 26-3 rout of the Buccaneers. "If I were the Jets," he said, "I would lose no sleep about who my quarterback is going to be. The kid, Sanchez, is going to be a good one, but you don't want to turn his knees to spa ghetti. Kellen Clemens is no more than a career backup, and Brad Smith can take more snaps than he has, and it really shouldn't matter. All of it doesn't matter, and here's why: "The Jets can win any game they have left with Thomas Jones carrying the ball 25 to 30 times, and by making sure you never give the"

Jets' aim: Run over lowly Tampa Bay

December 13

New York Post

"The Buccaneers know exactly what the Jets plan to do against them today at Raymond James Stadium, and the Jets are going to do it anyway. With backup quarterback Kellen Clemens making his first start in nearly two years, there will little deception in the Jets' offensive plan. Consider the math: The Jets lead the NFL in rushing attempts (432) and average yards per game (168.6) and the Buccaneers are ranked 31st in the NFL, allowing 160.1 yards per game. The 6-6 Jets have made no secret of their plan to run the ball first, and they have been successful, despite facing eightand sometimes nine-man fronts by opposing defenses. "Now that we've got it cranking, it's a thing of beauty when it"

Jones draws comparisons to Jets' legend Martin

December 6

New York Post

"Durable. Dependable. Humble. These were the first words that came to coach Rex Ryan's mind when he was asked to describe his top running back. "He's a guy that's not going to be outworked," Ryan said. "He's a true leader. He brings people with him. He leads by example, but he also encourages and brings guys with him and builds his teammates up." This was Ryan talking about Thomas Jones, but it might as well have been Bill Parcells, Al Groh, Herman Edwards or Eric Mangini talking about the greatest running back in Jets history — Curtis Martin. Jones still has many miles to trek before he reaches Martin's Hall of Fame status, but his quiet and determined consistency, as well as the family"

No doubting Thomas

December 4

New York Post

"Thomas Jones has exceeded 1,000 rushing yards for five straight seasons, which puts him in the company of only two active backs (LaDainian Tomlinson, Stephen Jackson) and in the even more elite company of the people whom the Jets' No. 20 says made this possible. "It's a blessing," said Jones after running for 109 yards last night, the last 29 of which, from the Jets' 42-yard line, enabled them to run out the clock in their 19-13 victory over the Bills. "I'm blessed, blessed enough to be durable and healthy and play a lot of games over the course of these last five seasons and have had great offensive lines, especially the last two years," Jones said. "We also have the best fullback [Tony"

Jones quietly rushing toward a career milestone

November 27

New York Post

"Quietly, because this is how he goes about his business, Thomas Jones is about to eclipse a milestone not many backs in the league have even had a sniff at: five consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. If Jones rushes for 116 yards against the Panthers Sunday at Giants Stadium, it'll put him over the 1,000-yard plateau for the fifth consecutive year and third with the Jets. Jones, who won the AFC rushing title last season with 1,312 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns, is third in the AFC and sixth in the NFL this season with 884 yards and he has eight touchdowns. He's on a pace to rush for a career-high 1,414 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Impressive numbers, yet Jones is rarely"

NFL's best rushing team coming up

November 24

Charlotte Observer

"Just as the Carolina Panthers are having trouble again stopping opponents from running the ball, they now must prepare to face the league's top-ranked rushing team. The New York Jets, who host Carolina Sunday at 1 p.m., are averaging 163.5 yards per game on the ground, just ahead of the Titans (161.8) and Panthers (159.1). The Jets have the league's sixth-leading rusher in Thomas Jones, who has rushed for 884 yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Carolina gave up an average of 149.3 yards rushing in the first three games, then had an 85.8 average over its next five games following the arrival of defensive tackle Hollis Thomas. But since outside linebacker Thomas Davis' season-ending knee"

Thomas Jones puts rap on negativity, delivers Super speech to New York Jets

November 19

New York Daily News

"There were no tears Wednesday, only fire and focus from the Jets, who realize they're out of mulligans. The sense of urgency was amplified behind closed doors, where Thomas Jones addressed his teammates for nearly five minutes in a players-only meeting. Jones is known for his fiery locker-room speeches on game day, but Wednesday was Sunday for Team Desperation, which faces a virtual do-or-die game at the Patriots. According to several players, Jones' impassioned message was this: This is our last shot. Blow it, and there could be big changes to the team in the offseason. "To me, being an older guy, being a veteran and understanding how this works - how the playoffs work - it's a big"

Jets' Jones keeps punishing defenses

November 13

New York Post

columnist Steve Serny

"THOMAS JONES is an iron tank with an iron will, 220 pounds of pride and passion and swagger who stands up unflinchingly to the violent mayhem of sadistic behemoths, who keeps coming as if he were the Smokin' Joe Frazier of the NFL, so strong of body, mind and spirit that when fatigue makes cowards of them all, Jones is no longer the hunted, but the hunter. "I'm kinda like an animal or something who senses a prey's getting tired of chasing," the Jets running back told The Post, "and you know you're like going for the kill. That's how I feel if I'm in a zone in the third or fourth quarter . . . I know it's only a matter of time before something's gonna happen -- long run, touchdown. . . ."

With Leon Washington injured, there is no doubting Thomas Jones for New York Jets

October 28

New York Daily News

"The beauty of football, and sometimes its curse, is that so much can change in an instant. Lives and careers can go this way and that way on one play. In less than 10 seconds last Sunday, the Jets' running-back position was altered, now and perhaps long term. For Leon Washington, who may be released today from a hospital in Berkeley, Calif., the future includes several months of rehabilitation on his surgically repaired broken leg and uncertainty over his contract situation. For Thomas Jones, it probably means a longer stay with the Jets than many anticipated. If the Jets were thinking of parting ways with Jones after the season, handing the position to the young bucks, Washington and"