Thomas Jones News: Pro Sports Daily

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

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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

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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

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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 ..."

Jones chugging past the 30 barrier

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October 24

New York Post

"Conventional wisdom holds that NFL running backs start heading downhill after the age of 30. But Thomas Jones, 31, who rushed for a club-record 210 yards in Sunday' 16-13 overtime loss to the Bills, said there is plenty of life left in his legs. "I don't even know who came up with that rule," Jones said. "Whomever came up with that rule obviously didn't play running back in this league, didn't prepare like I prepare, didn't watch film like I watch film, didn't take care of their body like I take care of my body. I feel like a rookie. I don't feel like I've been in the league for 10 years. It's a mental thing. "I love my teammates. I love watching film," Jones added. "I love getting ready ..."

Thomas Jones sets New York Jets single-game rushing record, but in no rush to celebrate

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October 19

New York Daily News

"Thomas Jones rushed for a Jets-record 210 yards, but he was in no mood to take a bow after Sunday's 16-13 overtime loss to the Bills. "I don't really care if I'm back on track," he said. "That has nothing to do with how we feel right now. We lost. I could've had two yards. We lost the game." Nevertheless, it was an amazing performance. Jones broke runs of 61 and 71 yards, the latter for a touchdown that gave the Jets a 13-3 lead. They were the two longest runs of his career. The 71-yard run was the longest by a Jet since Adrian Murrell's 78-yarder against the Cardinals in 1996. WIDE-EYED: The Jets came in with a group of wide receivers that began the game with only 15 catches as members ..."

Jets coach Rex Ryan adamantly shoots down Thomas Jones trade rumor

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August 13

Newark Star-Ledger

"The typically happy-go-lucky Rex Ryan was visibly agitated when shooting down an internet report that the Jets were shopping Thomas Jones to an NFC West team. The coach called the report "100 percent not true" and appeared irked for one of the few times in training camp. "I promise you that is ridiculous," Ryan said after the Jets' one-night-only practice at Hofstra Wednesday. "I'm not going to trade that...This guy is huge in our plans. I'm not going to trade the running back that led the AFC in rushing....We ain't dealing him, no way." "I think it's ridiculous," Ryan added. "I'd love to hear the source behind it. It's absolutely false. I'm not a huge (liar) when it comes to all that ..."

Jones Mum On Contract

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August 1

New York Post

"Running back Thomas Jones, who's been blowing off reporters all offseason after skipping more of the team's offseason conditioning program because he's unhappy about his contract, spoke with the media yesterday, but refused to discuss his contractual issue. "I'm here for football; I'm not answering any contract questions," he said. "Any contract questions, I'm not even talking about that. I'm here with my team. I'm glad to be here." Asked what changed his mind in the offseason when he decided to show up for mandatory minicamp after blowing off almost all of the offseason team training, Jones said, "I just decided to come up and do some of the OTAs [Organized Team Activities] and minicamp ..."

I believe Thomas Jones should get more than $900,000

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May 29

Newsday

columnist Bob Glauber

"I realize that is not a popular sentiment among many Jets' fans, who believe that Jones should be beholden to the four-year, $20 million contract he signed before the 2007 season. The one he has already collected $13.1 million from over the first two years. But Jones is scheduled to make only $900,000 this year, a mere pittance for the reigning AFC rushing champion, and has voiced his discontent by boycotting most of the Jets' voluntary practices this off-season. Jones is back practicing, although the Jets have given no indication that they're ready to change or extend his contract. In fact, sources tell me they are not inclined to give him any more money, mostly because he has two years ..."

Jones Mystery Has Jets Baffled

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May 29

New York Post

"Just in case anyone wondered what kind of shape he'd be in after boycotting the Jets' offseason program until his arrival Wednesday, Thomas Jones sported his customary cut-off sleeves look in yesterday's practice to accentuate his gargantuan guns. That left little doubt to anyone that, despite blowing off the team's conditioning program and off-season practices in a contract dispute, he's very much in shape. The question left unanswered, however, is whether Jones, who's unhappy with his contract, is here to stay or whether this was a one-week run at the Jets' organized team activities. Jones wouldn't answer that question because, in his typical reticent way, he ducked reporters ..."

Shock! Jones At Jets Camp

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May 28

New York Post

"Thomas Jones -- at least for a day -- ended his boycott of the Jets' offseason conditioning program and their organized team activities (OTAs). The disgruntled running back had been staying away because he's unhappy with his contract and the Jets have been unwilling to renegotiate. Why he opted to turn up yesterday is not known because there was no reporter access to players yesterday. There is media access today, however, and it'll be interesting to see if Jones speaks to reporters and, if he does, what he has to say. Jones is in the third year of a four-year, $20 million contract and already has made $13 million of that. He's due to make $900,000 in base salary in 2009. He also is due a ..."

Thomas Jones in no rush, misses 2nd day of offseason conditioning program

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March 18

New York Daily News

"Running back Thomas Jones missed a second straight day of Rex Ryan's inaugural offseason conditioning program, fueling speculation that the AFC rushing champ is unhappy with his contract. Jones is entering the third year of a four-year, $20 million contract, which he signed at the time of his trade from the Bears, but his base salary for the coming season is only $900,000. Jones' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, approached the Jets about a renegotiation at last month's scouting combine in Indianapolis, according to a league source. Rosenhaus didn't return calls for comment. Jets spokesman Bruce Speight refused to comment. Asked if there's a simple, non-contract-related reason for the absences, ..."

Jones missing again at Jets camp

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March 17

New York Daily News

"RB Thomas Jones skipped the offseason conditioning program for the second straight day, fueling speculation that he's unhappy with his contract. The Daily News reported last month at the scouting combine that Jones, who has two years left on a four-year, $20 million deal, wanted to renegotiate. His base salary for the coming season is $900,000. Jones won the AFC rushing title last season and he evidently wants a raise. A club spokesman declined to comment on Jones' absence. Jones' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, didn't return a phone call. The offseason program is voluntary, but Jones' no-show is surprising because he's regarded as one of the hardest workers on the team."

Jones: I Didn't Try to Diss Brett

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January 3

New York Post

"Jets running back Thomas Jones said yesterday his quotes about Brett Favre on Hot 97 FM were "chopped up." In an interview with ESPN's "First Take," Jones said he did not mean to disrespect Favre. "I'll talk to Brett. Everything is cool with me and Brett. He's a great guy," Jones said. "We have a lot of fun over there at work. I answered the question. I would expect him to answer the question the same way about me if I had two fumbles and it was a situation where I wasn't playing well. And [if] he answered the question the same way, I wouldn't look at him any different. I wouldn't be sensitive to the answer because we all know in this league you have to protect the football to win.""

Jones Flexing Muscles For Jets

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December 19

New York Post

"In the Jets' weight room, skill players usually lift in one area and the linemen lift in another. There is, however, one exception. Running back Thomas Jones prefers to join the 300-pound-plus group, and he doesn't mind talking trash about how much weight he can put up. Jones weighs just 215 pounds, but he can lift with anyone, and he has the biceps to prove it. "He's the only guy who carries guns legally in New York state," fellow back Leon Washington joked about Jones' arms. Jones was selected for his first Pro Bowl this week, and his teammates voted him team MVP and the most inspirational player - further validation of a monster year by Jones. He is leading the AFC in rushing with ..."

Julius Jones quickly fallen off pace to stay with brother, Thomas

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December 18

Seattle Times

"Two seasons ago, Thomas and Julius Jones became the first brothers to rush for more than 1,000 yards in the same NFL season. Thomas has already surpassed that mark this season, gaining 1,222 yards in 14 games for the New York Jets and earning a spot as a starter in the Pro Bowl. Up until five games ago, Julius was on pace to reach 1,000 yards, too. He rushed for 597 yards in the first nine games, but has not been used nearly as much since then. He didn't even play in Seattle's loss to New England. "Some of that is not his problem," coach Mike Holmgren said. "It's how he's been used." Maurice Morris has started three of the past four games and ran effectively in those games, averaging 5.3 ..."

Thomas The Tank Engine Comin' Through

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November 30

New York Post

columnist Steve Serby

"HE IS the Unsung Hero in a Subway Super Bowl-crazed city that has started to sing The Ballad of Brett Favre. But there is no doubting Thomas Jones now. He talks softly and carries a big lick, and today the Jets' Rough Rider will run roughshod over the marshmallow Broncos. If Favre is the swagger, then Jones is the dagger of a mean, green smashmouth machine that every Sunday embarks on a search-and-destroy mission to impose its will on an enemy defense with the express purpose of making it surrender by the fourth quarter. See: Tennessee Titans game. Jones and game-breaker sidekick Leon Washington don't have any fancy nicknames a la Earth, Wind and Fire, but Touchdown Thomas (nine rushing ..."

Thomas Jones' pregame pep talks fire up Jets

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November 23

New York Daily News

"Before they leave the locker room Sunday, the players will gather around Thomas Jones, the Jets' power strip. Week after week, everybody plugs into him. Behind the scenes, Jones is one of the team's emotional leaders, delivering the final words of inspiration before the opening kickoff. Before last week's win over the Patriots, he was so wired, so into the moment that tears rolled down his cheeks, according to teammates. ThatÂ is a man who cares. "He's the rah-rah guy," safety Kerry Rhodes said. "He's the guy who puts out the emotion to everybody." This season, Jones has the production to match the passion. After a slow start, he has picked up the pace in a big way, averaging 105 rushing ..."

Jones In Rush To get At Chiefs' Dilapidated D

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October 26

New York Post

"As incredible as it may sound, the Jets have not had a running back rush for 100 or more yards in consecutive games since Curtis Martin did it four years ago. If that drought hasn't ended by sometime after 4 p.m. today, then there's something wrong - something wrong with the Jets, something wrong with the universe. The 1-5 Chiefs, whom the Jets play today at Giants Stadium, are ranked last in the NFL in run defense. They're allowing an average of 207.2 rushing yards per game, 40 more than the next-worst team, the Lions. So, if the Jets aren't salivating to grind the Kansas City defense into submission with Thomas Jones, then something is very wrong with their game-planning and play-calling ..."

Jets' Jones a leader on field and in music biz

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October 15

Denver Post

"Thomas Jones huddles with the New York Jets' other running backs an hour or two before every game and lets loose from the heart. "He always gives us a speech that gets us really fired up," Leon Washington said. "That's the thing I like the most. He brings so much enthusiasm before games and at halftime. People don't see that." A bulldozing running back on the field with biceps that bodybuilders envy, Jones is as elusive as they come around the media. In his ninth NFL season and second with the Jets, Jones shuns the spotlight and gives few peeks into his personal life. "He has that certain knack where he knows the right thing to say to get the team going and get everybody in the right ..."

Time For Jets To Give Jones The Ball

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October 15

New York Post

columnist Mark Cannizzaro

"MEMO to Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer: Feed Thomas Jones the ball. Jones is hungry for more carries, though he'll never say that publicly, and he's the type of running back who gets better with more carries. The more carries Jones gets the better rhythm he gets into and the more his punishing running style wears down opposing defenses. This is not a knee-jerk reaction to his career-high three-touchdown game in the Jets' win over the Bengals on Sunday. This is a problem that has been brewing for a while and it's more a product of the variety of choices Schottenheimer has to dial up as he calls plays each week. In fairness, he has a lot from which to choose and he's ..."

Thomas The Tank Runs On All Cylinders

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October 13

New York Post

"The Jets had put on a passing clinic in their last game, but their high-flying aerial attack was nearly grounded yesterday against the Bengals. The game was far more hard work than work of art - meaning it was a day made for Thomas Jones . The bruising back carried the Jets' mistake-prone offense and scored a career-high three touchdowns in a 26-14 win over Cincinnati. "(Two weeks ago) we threw the ball really well. (Yesterday) we had to grind it out," said Jones. "It always feels good to score touchdowns, to be out there with the ball in your hands and to score. It definitely feels good to be able to get in the end zone and contribute to the team winning." Jones' contributions included 17 ..."

RB's 3 TDs Power Gang Green To Ugly Win

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October 13

New York Post

"It wasn't a work of art, but it was close to priceless for the Jets, who absolutely, positively could not afford a loss to the Bengals yesterday at Giants Stadium. They didn't lose, taking care of business in a somewhat uneven 26-14 victory over the Bengals (0-6), who limped into the game having to start an inexperienced backup quarterback from Harvard and had no running game to bail them out. "A victory is a victory; we'll take it however we get it," Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins said. One big reason they got it was Thomas Jones, who scored a career-high three touchdowns, two rushing. That doubled his output from 2007, when he scored one rushing touchdown in 310 attempts. Jones' first ..."

Jets' Jones Helps the Ground Game Gain Confidence

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October 13

New York Times

"As the Jets' pregame warm-up began on Sunday at Giants Stadium, with the blue and yellow throwback uniforms falling into tidy lines, the four running backs assembled for a meeting. Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, Jesse Chatman and Tony Richardson needed to give one another their usual pep talk, as they do before every game. That was when Washington said he noticed something about Jones. A bit of a swagger, a look in his eye, something like that. "He had a little something extra in him," Washington said. "I could tell before the game that he was ready to roll." And for the next three hours, he rolled through the woeful Bengals defense on his way to three touchdowns in the Jets' 26-14 ..."