http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80c9d010&template=with-video&confirm=true Overshadowed in Brett Favre's first four months in New York, running back Thomas Jones has stepped into the limelight for Jets. While Favre and his growing familiarity with coach Eric Mangini's offense has been a catalyst to the Jets' rise to the top of the AFC East this season, it has been Jones' steadying influence on the field that has kept the Jets running -- literally. It was Jones who was at his statistical best when Favre was struggling -- eight interceptions in a four-game stretch following New York's Week 5 bye -- helping the Jets win three of those four games by averaging more than 100 yards of total offense a game on more than 5 yards per carry. Pro Bowl bound? With 854 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, Jets running back Thomas Jones is pacing all AFC backs in the race for the Pro Bowl. Think he desrves to go to Hawaii? Vote now. AFC rushing leaders Player Yds TDs Thomas Jones, Jets 854 9 Chris Johnson, Titans 787 5 Steve Slaton, Texans 701 6 LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers 686 5 "Thomas is making things happen when there are holes there, and he's making things happen when there aren't holes there," said Mangini. "He's always been a tough runner, his ability to bounce outside and to create some things out there. The yards after contact, I think, have always been really positive. He wasn't voted captain, but he still has that leadership game in and game out." While the Jets brought in Favre with the intention of adding another dimension to their passing game, his arrival has also helped the Jets open up the offense for more success on the ground. "Anytime you have a quarterback like Brett Favre come into the picture and he's able to go out there and make plays the way he does, it definitely opens up the running game," said Jones. "That obviously helps me, because there's maybe six, seven guys in the box now rather than eight or nine guys trying to stop the run. So that leaves me with one less guy that I have to run over, one less guy that I have to make miss." In six games since New York's Week 5 bye -- five of them wins -- Jones is averaging 100 rushing yards and has total nine touchdowns on the ground. Along the way he's recorded two three-touchdown games as well as a career-high 159-yard performance in Week 7. That's a far cry from where Jones was last season, his first with the Jets. Coming off three seasons with the Bears in which he averaged 1,164 rushing yards, 7.3 rushing touchdowns and 4.1 yards per carry, Jones was traded along with a second-round draft pick to New York for the Jets' 37th overall pick in the 2007 draft. With Curtis Martin retired, Jones was expected to supply the type of hard-nose running that had been lacking in Mangini's first season in New York. But Jones' debut season in the Big Apple didn't exactly go as planned. He surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the third straight season but managed just two trips into the end zone as a part of a Jets team whose weakness in the red zone was one of the main contributors to a disappointing 4-12 season. "The system was different and it was something I had to get used to," said Jones of his transition to the Jets. "I think that's with everybody when you make a move like that. It takes a little time to get used to." And just as Jones was getting comfortable with his surroundings in New York, the front office made more changes in the offseason. In addition to bringing in Favre, the team added a pair of Pro Bowl linemen -- guard Alan Faneca and tackle Damien Woody -- as well as all-pro fullback Tony Richardson in free agency. 2009 Pro Bowl The polls are open! Fans can vote now for their favorite players for the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl, to be played Feb. 8 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. Vote here! The adjustment to his new teammates involved more struggles for Jones, who reached the end zone just once while averaging 3.7 yards per carry through New York's first four games. Anyone who watched the Jets' Week 2 performance in the red zone was witness to those growing pains. The Jets, trailing the Patriots 6-0, faced first-and-goal from the Patriots 3-yard line. Mangini then called three consecutive runs for Jones, who pushed forward -- and was pushed back -- for 1, 1 and minus-2 yards. The Jets settled for a field goal, but the missed red-zone opportunity would come back to haunt them in a 19-10 loss in front of their home fans. Nine weeks later, against the same opponent, the Jets found themselves in the same situation, only with much higher stakes. With first place in the AFC East on the line and the score knotted at 24 midway through the fourth quarter, the Jets again faced a first-and-goal at the Patriots 3. Just as he did before, Mangini went to his running back on the goal line. When Jones was twice stopped short of the end zone it appeared as if the pattern in Week 2 was repeating itself. It was, in that Mangini didn't hesitate to put the ball in Jones' hands a third time. The difference was a 1-yard touchdown run by Jones that gave the Jets a seven-point lead in a game they would go on to win, 34-31, in overtime. "I think we were just really motivated to score," said Jones. "We had another opportunity. In this league you don't get that many second chances. The first game we had three straight runs and we didn't execute to punch the ball in. I think we were just like, 'Hey, we're not going to be denied down here.' Somehow we've got to punch this thing in and we wanted to do it running the ball, just to kind of set the tone and make a statement, and that's what we were able to do." Through 11 weeks, the nine-year veteran is making a statement of his own. With 10 total touchdowns and an AFC-leading 854 rushing yards, Jones is on pace for the best statistical output of his career -- and his first trip to the Pro Bowl. "As long as my teammates respect my leadership and respect what I bring to the table," said Jones. "They know I'm going out there playing as hard as I can every game to help them win and help us be successful -- that's all that really matters to me. At the end of the day, Pro Bowls and individual accolades -- they're nice and they're good -- but we all play this game to win a Super Bowl and that's my ultimate goal before I get out of this league. I'm just happy to be on this team."
150 yards on the Titans? Somehow I doubt that. I just hope he can get 70-90 with a TD or two. And Leon adds another. And so does Keller. And Coles. Okay, I'm dreaming now.
And so many people on this forum were hating Thomas Jones all offseason and into the preseason. All Offseason the talk was McFadden this, McFadden that. Where the heck are all you TJ haters now? Sorry guys, I just cant get over it.....
Present. Well, he isn't falling down at the first sign of contact anymore and his cutbacks are actually working, so no, I don't hate him now.
And Revis on a pick six:smile: (that's if they ever get the courage to test him. Which is becoming less and less common)
I admit that I was one of those people who said TJ was too slow and needed to be replaced. He's still too slow, but he doesn't need to be replaced. At this point I would consider him to be the team MVP.
Thank god for that ! Teams not even thinking about our run game was a major reason for inconsistency in our offense and now we have a threat that must be contended with. Leon Washington adds to the picture , because when both of these guys are on the field together , there's a serious game breaking run potentially on deck. Thomas who? Thomas Jones!
The one thing you worry about is that with JOnes being such a big part of what we do, that they don't stay with him too long if he's getting stuffed at the line consistently. I think you come out throwing and then try to surprise them with Jones a little with run draws and delays. Run action, so to speak.
Im still not huge on TJ. I love what hes doing right now on the ground but something bothers me about the way he runs. He seems to fall very easily and likes to dive through holes a lot. I just wish he would try to stay on his feet more. Besides that hes doing a very good job this year, just wish he had that extra power.
Get over it. In light of Gholston's play (or lack thereof) a stronger case could be made for McFadden...not that he was available however. TJ is a good but not great back. He isn't an overly tough runner, but he finds a crease/hole and put his head down. We all knew that and everyone is happy that he actually has holes to run through this season. If you look back on this team at draft day it had one playmaker in Leon Washington. (Clearly Coles / Cotchery have been over-rated as their play has been nothing special this year.) The team had a game-manager QB and a RB that averaged under 4-yards a carry. Who wouldn't have wanted a gamebreaker like McFadden to be added to the offense? Again, get over it.
I think that Tanny knew that TJ still had a lot left in the tank. You can't run when 2/5 of your O-line has no job this year from 07. And he still got 1100 yrs running behind shit. Anyways - TJ is having a career year, so let's leave it alone.... he'll need a replacement when he gets to 32 years old, I expect one sooner. I trust Tanny to make the right decision.
I was 100% against McFadden, and I knew we had a stud in TJ. His 1,100 yards behind the worst offensive line last season let me know that. Along with that I also watched him carry a bad Bears offense all the way to the Super Bowl. Heck, TJ almost won that game putting the Bears offense on his back! What TJ and Leon are doing right now is what I said they would be doing all offseason!! And I'll put my money on the fact that the Jets front office wanted no part of McFadden, it was all mind games. And when TJ keeps pilling up the big games you'll hear from me again! I'll get over it, when I get over it!
The same can be said to you. So many people hate on Jones because he isn't an elite athlete with a flashy play style. The fact is he's doing the job for the Jets, and doing it very well. He is doing what he did when the Bears went to the Super Bowl. Get on your knees and show respect.
i agree but he has been staying on his feet much better and breaking more tackles in the past few games. i really think that he has gained a lot of confidence because he's starting to score TD's. He is starting to get a smell for the endzone (i think he has around 10 rushing TDs so far)
Pretty much. I'd still rather upgrade sooner rather than later...sell high on him after this season if possible. RB is just such an easy position to find production from if you have a good O-line. Getting a young guy in behind him and Leon should be a priority this offseason anyway.
