Jets O-line against decision to cut Jones
March, 2, 2010
3/02/10
11:07
AM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
One of the reasons the New York Jets believe they can survive without running back Thomas Jones is because of their formidable offensive line.
Turns out, a majority of the offensive line doesn't like the Jets' decision to part ways with Jones after one of the most productive rushing seasons in club history.
New York Daily News reporter Rich Cimini spoke with three-fifths of the Jets' O-line: left guard Alan Faneca, right guard Brandon Moore and right tackle Damien Woody. None of them sounded pleased.
But before we get to their thoughts, the most stinging comments in Cimini's story came from a player who didn't want to be identified.
"I can tell you, it's not going to be a popular move in the locker room," the anonymous Jets player said. "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."
Jones will turn 32 before the 2010 season opener. He was due a $3 million roster bonus next week and had a base salary of $2.8 million.
"Some players bring things to the table that you can't put a price on," Woody said, "and T.J. is one of those guys."
Jones led the AFC in rushing in 2008 and was second to Chris Johnson last year. Jones rushed for 2,714 yards and 27 touchdowns in that time.
"It just goes to show the business side of the game, when such a productive guy like T.J. is released," Faneca wrote Cimini in an e-mail. "To be so close last year, and then for T.J. not to be there with us going after the ring again is what hurts."
Moore also chimed in with his disappointment in the Jets' decision.
"A passionate guy like that, with the intensity he brought at certain points in the game, it ignited sparks in everybody," Moore said. "You would've liked to have kept a guy like that."
Are Jones' soon-to-be former teammates correct in their opinion the Jets should've kept Jones around despite his mileage?
Toni Monkovic of "The Fifth Down" blog at NYTimes.com turned me on to an interesting piece at Cold, Hard Football Facts that examines the shelf life of an NFL running back.
Age might not be the determining factor as much as touches, and Jones might have plenty left in him.
The magic number of touches to determine when a running back has reached the end is about 2,800. Moncovic notes Jones has 2,586 touches (rush attempts, receptions and kick returns combined), about a season short of the limit Cold, Hard Football Facts presents.
Turns out, a majority of the offensive line doesn't like the Jets' decision to part ways with Jones after one of the most productive rushing seasons in club history.
New York Daily News reporter Rich Cimini spoke with three-fifths of the Jets' O-line: left guard Alan Faneca, right guard Brandon Moore and right tackle Damien Woody. None of them sounded pleased.
But before we get to their thoughts, the most stinging comments in Cimini's story came from a player who didn't want to be identified.
"I can tell you, it's not going to be a popular move in the locker room," the anonymous Jets player said. "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."
Jones will turn 32 before the 2010 season opener. He was due a $3 million roster bonus next week and had a base salary of $2.8 million.
"Some players bring things to the table that you can't put a price on," Woody said, "and T.J. is one of those guys."
Jones led the AFC in rushing in 2008 and was second to Chris Johnson last year. Jones rushed for 2,714 yards and 27 touchdowns in that time.
"It just goes to show the business side of the game, when such a productive guy like T.J. is released," Faneca wrote Cimini in an e-mail. "To be so close last year, and then for T.J. not to be there with us going after the ring again is what hurts."
Moore also chimed in with his disappointment in the Jets' decision.
"A passionate guy like that, with the intensity he brought at certain points in the game, it ignited sparks in everybody," Moore said. "You would've liked to have kept a guy like that."
Are Jones' soon-to-be former teammates correct in their opinion the Jets should've kept Jones around despite his mileage?
Toni Monkovic of "The Fifth Down" blog at NYTimes.com turned me on to an interesting piece at Cold, Hard Football Facts that examines the shelf life of an NFL running back.
Age might not be the determining factor as much as touches, and Jones might have plenty left in him.
The magic number of touches to determine when a running back has reached the end is about 2,800. Moncovic notes Jones has 2,586 touches (rush attempts, receptions and kick returns combined), about a season short of the limit Cold, Hard Football Facts presents.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
James Walker
Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the NFL and NBA for the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. He's a Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md. native who lives in Miami.
You must be signed in to post a comment