More Thomas Jones articles

I had these in the other thread, but they got lost in that thread a bit and they are definitely worth reading.


Powerful Jones looking to shoulder load in Jets' running game

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr., AP Sports Writer
May 31, 2007

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- The sweat dripped off Thomas Jones' face and his green No. 20 jersey was drenched. It's a sight the running back's new Jets teammates are getting used to.

"As you guys can see, he's a physical specimen," quarterback Chad Pennington said with a laugh after the team's voluntary workouts Thursday.

Jones, acquired from the NFC champion Chicago Bears in March to jump-start New York's running game, has made quite an impression in the weight room this offseason. He spends five or six hours exercising and working out -- and that's all before noon.

"He works extremely hard," Pennington said. "He's never the first guy out. He's always staying in there, doing a little extra. He's a true professional."

And he's got the biceps to prove it. Jones' jersey sleeves were rolled up to his shoulders, probably because the fabric would be no match to contain his sinewy arms. And it's hard not to notice them, covered in tattoos and looking as if they should be on a professional bodybuilder.

For a team needing someone to shoulder the load with its running game, the Jets certainly picked the right guy.

"Every time I go down to the weight room, he's there," coach Eric Mangini said. "You can tell there's real progress in terms of his muscle mass. His work ethic on the field has been equally impressive."

The physical attributes aside, Jones brings impressive credentials to New York. He has rushed for more than 1,200 yards in each of his last two seasons and provides the Jets with a legitimate successor to Curtis Martin as their No. 1 back.

"Right now, I'm just focused on what I need to do to make this team do better, and that's what I've been focused on this whole offseason," Jones said. "Those are the main things I try to concern myself with."

Last season, Martin never played for the Jets because of a knee injury that has likely ended his career. In his absence, Derrick Blaylock, Kevan Barlow, Leon Washington and Cedric Houston all took turns carrying the load for New York, which finished 20th in the NFL in rushing.

Blaylock and Barlow have since been released, while Jones is almost four months removed from leading the Bears to the Super Bowl against Indianapolis. Jones, who'll be 29 when the season starts, rushed for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns last season.

"The Super Bowl is a long time ago for me," Jones said. "It was in February, but moving here to New York and getting settled in and getting used to the offense, that's all I've been really focused on. I really haven't thought about the Super Bowl."

Maybe not, but the Jets sure have. And they know having a back like Jones makes them more of a threat in the AFC. That's not as much a knock on Washington and Houston, the lone holdovers from last season at the position, than an acknowledgment of Jones' talent.

Jones has rushed for 5,348 yards and six touchdowns in his career, but has also been a big threat out of the backfield in the passing game with 215 catches for 1,376 yards.

"I consider myself a pretty good receiver," Jones said. "I take a lot of pride in catching the ball and in pass protection, and I take a lot of pride in trying to be a complete back, so if they throw it to me, I have a lot of confidence I can catch it."

Jones is hoping to be even more of an all-around impact player than he was with the Bears.

"The offense, there's definitely a lot of opportunity for me to get the ball in the open field and do some things out there," Jones said. "Chicago's offense was a little more -- I don't want to say we didn't have a lot of opportunities to get the ball, but we were pretty predictable as far as our running game. Here, we have so many great players on offense, we have a lot of guys who can make plays, and I'm just one of those guys."

Not quite. He's a little more than just an extra piece in the Jets' game plan, and his presence in the offense thrills Pennington.

"I think everyone knows what type of running back he is and the really good things he's done throughout his career," Pennington said. "We're excited to have him here. We're going to do everything we can to make sure we put him in a successful position to help us win."

 

Thomas Jones Comes On Strong
Published: 05-31-07

By Eric Allen
Senior Managing Editor

One word comes to mind when you think of Thomas Jones: Excitement.

After being acquired from the Bears in a March trade, the star runner is elated to be in New York.

“I am just excited to be in this situation. We have some great players on this team and we have some great coaches on this team,” Jones said following today's OTA session. “I am just excited to be part of it.”

When Chad Pennington was asked about the team’s new feature back, the veteran quarterback couldn’t hold back his delight.

“Thomas Jones? He's an exciting player,” he said. “I think everyone knows what type of running back he is and the exciting things he's done throughout his career.”

Hours before the scorcher, head coach Eric Mangini smiled when he spoke about the player who has averaged 1,272.5 rush yards the past two seasons.

“I have been pleased with Thomas,” Mangini said. “When we decide to make a trade, we do a lot of research on people’s character and consistency. Regardless of what team he was with or who we talked to, the recurring theme was his work ethic.”

Jones, sporting a white jersey and green No. 20 on his chest, displayed explosion in the workout that was open to the media. He also revealed some large pythons — that's what Hulk Hogan used to call his biceps — with his sleeves rolled up at Weeb Ewbank Hall.

“Every time I go down to the weight room, he’s there and you’ll see today that there’s real progress in terms of his muscle mass,” Mangini said. “His work ethic on the field has been really impressive. I like the way he practices, the way he carries himself and the way he studies. Those things have all been very positive.”

Pennington told reporters that Jones’ reputation in the weight room is well-deserved.

“As you guys can see, he's a physical specimen. The best thing about Thomas is his work ethic,” he said. “He's never the first guy out; he's always working on something else. He's a true professional.”

Jones, the seventh overall selection in the 2000 NFL Draft, is trying to familiarize himself with his new offense. His first three professional seasons were spent in Arizona, and that experience could help the learning process.

“I kind of ran a similar offense when I was in Arizona, so terms are the major things you have to pick up on,” he said. “My [position] coach, Jimmy Raye, is doing a great job of making sure I know what I am doing when I get out there. The offensive coaches are doing a really good job of having us prepared for practice, so everything is going well.”

Although Jones put up big numbers the past three seasons in Chicago, he believes the Jets’ offensive system will give him opportunities to showcase more of his skills.

“There is a lot of opportunity for me to get the ball in the open field and do some things out there,” he said. “Chicago’s offense was a little more ... I don’t want to say we didn’t have a lot of opportunities to get the ball, but we were pretty predictable as far as the running game and our philosophy.”

The 5’10”, 215-pounder complimented his new squad’s firepower, and he offers a number of ways to contribute. Jones averaged 39 receptions with the Bears and caught a career-high 56 balls in ’04.

“I consider myself a pretty good receiver. I take a lot of pride in catching the ball and pass protection,” he said. “I take a lot of pride in trying to be a complete back. If they throw it to me, I have a lot of confidence that I can catch it.”

Jones is now on his fourth team. The productive runner, who racked up 112 yards on the ground and added four catches in Super Bowl XLI, appears to be a perfect fit with the Jets.

“Everyone on this team gets along really well,” he said. “We have a nice chemistry and a nice nucleus, so I’m just glad to be a part of it.”