Allen is the senior managing editor of newyorkjets.com. He is in his ninth season with the Jets.
File Under: Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, Rex Ryan, Drew Rosenhaus
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05/27 — Thomas Jones rejoined the Jets today and is actively participating in the club’s latest OTA. After skipping all of the Green & White’s voluntary off-season workouts to this point, TJ is on the outdoor turf field practicing with his teammates for drills at the start of this morning's voluntary practice.
It is widely believed Jones, whose 1,312 yards in 2008 led the AFC in rushing and preceded his first Pro Bowl appearance, is not happy with his contract. While Jones has not spoken publicly since January, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, foreshadowed TJ’s arrival today last week on Twitter.
"I was reading Twitter the other day, and I understand there are reports that he’ll come in next week and I hope he does," said Jets head coach Rex Ryan on May 21. "I’m excited about that if that’s the case. I haven’t spoken with Thomas, but I would like to see him."
The 5’10”, 215-pound Jones, set to turn 31 in August, is a downhill runner powerful enough to dismiss arm tackles. He’s equipped with good vision, hits holes quickly and is a solid blocker.
Even though he hadn't been in the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J., for a while, it would be a stunner if he isn't in tremendous shape. You would need to shackle him down to keep this workout wonder out of the gym.
Running behind one of the league’s top offensive lines and fullback Tony Richardson, TJ is coming off perhaps his most impressive pro campaign. His 15 total TDs and 13 rushing TDs were career highs and he averaged an impressive 4.5 yards a carry.
Ryan has said the Jets are going to “ground and pound” and Jones figures to play a major role in this offense. Leon Washington, the backfield partner of Jones, is also said to be unhappy with his contract and is absent from the facility today.
Even though the Jets are working out today, the media will not have access to practice, the players or the coaching staff until tomorrow's OTA.
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (30)keewa plfd,n.j Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 11:03am ET"its good he's agood back but who's affraid of tj not to many teams brett farve helped him alot throwing the ball all over the damm field not caring who caught the ball them or us..."
Ira Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 11:31am ET"Keewa, You have to give credit to TJ. Did having Favre help TJ? Of course but look back at the 07 season with all the problems they had with the o-line. TJ still found a way to get 1119 yds. TJ is a very good RB with 2 good years left in his tank if healthy. I would love to have TJ,Leon and Greene as the group. I just don't think he will play for his current contract."
wayne Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 11:40am ET"Jones need the Jets and they need him(at least for one more year).. To keep harmony, they'll give him a little something.BUT NO GOLDEN PARACHUTE. At least one comment Thomas....You had so much to say about number 4."
The Green Titan Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 11:50am ET"Glad TJ is back. I don't buy the nonsense that he didn't play to his contract in the earlier years with the Jets. We never gave him the tools to be a successful runner until the OL came together last year. Don't blame the guy for wanting more money. Don't blame him for making that known. Did the honorable thing in the end and came back before the mandatory camps."
wayne Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 11:55am ET"The irony of it for Thomas Jones is that he and employee #4 have arrived at the same crossroad. That place where age, the team's best interest and the athlete's self interests all intersect.He didn't give due respect to #4....Now he wants respect(the money)How the worm has turned.....With that I thiink he should get some comp.Simply because he is needed.SHUT UP AND PLAY."
uncle joe Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 11:55am ET"I don't think anybody is getting a new contract until Sanchez is signed,I'm sure they told Jones this and it looks like that was the agreement with Washington,that's why Ryan would say that he doesn't know who is giving Leon advice.I hope the Jets really aren't holding off on Leon's extention because he may or may not be a Free Agent next season."
HDR Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 11:58am ET"Just like Bolden, TJ needs to fire Rosenhaus if he didn't have clauses in his current contract that would pay him extra if he had the type of year he had last year. Both he and his agent are a fault for that.The Jets should not extend his contract, but instead give him 2 mil this year and next. 4 mil for two years is great for any football player. Just be fair and it will all work out.. Go JETS!!"
Vinton Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 12:09pm ET"TJ will play, because he will be granted a new contract... The Jets have one of the best RB tandoms in the league.. Why would they mess it up over money, when he clearly deserves the money..... J.E.T.S Jets Jets Jets"
Ira Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 12:35pm ET"uncle joe, You are probably right about Sanchez but the Jets had to know what the market pay is for him before they even dfrated him @ #5. The thing with TJ is that he is due a bonus of about 2.8 mill in March and i can't see the Jets giving that to a RB at 31 yrs old after they traded up and drafted a RB and will soon sign Leon to a long term deal. Its a cold business much like many others."
BobbyN Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 12:36pm ET"Two years ago Thomas Jones signed a four year deal for $20M. He received $13.1M in the first two years. That's $3.1M more than the average yearly salary or $3.1M in advance. He knew he would earn $900K this year. That's $14M over three years. He is not underpaid this year. Did he return part of his salary when he averaged 3.6 yards per carry and scored one touchdown in year one?"
Brian Sommer Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 1:02pm ET"I think the jets are gonna work a trade with TJ. The Jets still need a receiver. Hoping we can still get Braylon. It will take more than TJ to get him though. I don't think the browns are too needy at The Rb position . So another team may have to get involved . Hopefully the jets make it happen."
Ira Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 1:57pm ET"The Jets are really in a catch 22. If they run like Rex says he wants to then TJ, Leon and Greene are perfect. With no disrespect to any of the WR's they could use one like Edwards. Thing is J. Lewis is still not ready after ankle surgery and there is no return date as of now. So they really do need a feature back. Thats where TJ comes in. Then if the Jets trade TJ who becomes the #3 RB? Caulcrick?"
Ablity Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 2:14pm ET"RANDY I HEARD THAT QB Mark really had a bad pratice against the second team defense the other day is that ture"
Eric Allen Said:
"Ablity, Mark Sanchez struggled in last Thursday's OTA. He looked a lot better in today's practice."
Jets Fan Since '64 Tom Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 4:23pm ET"I'm leaning toward BobbyN and Brian Sommer on TJ. He didn't have much to say when he was vastly overpaid for a weak season. And whether Clemens or Sanchez starts, we're going to be rebuilding with a young QB, so what's the big deal about TJ at this point? And to the guy who implied that Sanchez getting reps against the second team was unfair - hey, he's the new guy, he's got to earn his way up."
Anthony Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 4:43pm ET"I am a Jets fan and I do like Jones BUT>>>>if you look at Jones Career he can get some yards here and there but CANNOT push a pile. Greene can. Woodhead could be our third back if thats the case. I think Greene, Washington, Woodhead would be the way to go. But I am not coaching the Jets so my words mean squat. And as for WR we need someone and fast. Harrison is still an option"
Tyler Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 5:49pm ET"Het Randy. In a percent.. what are the odds Mark starts this year?"
Randy Lange Said:
"Tyler, clearly you have mistaken me for Jimmy the Greek."
Anthony. Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 6:56pm ET"Anthony you have no idea what you are talking about"
Ablity Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 10:30pm ET"Anthony you are half right, right about thomas jones can move the pile, guys the guy is 5'10 about 215 i think, and he thinks he a power back, he is nothing special, leon first year he almost got a 1,000 on the ground so i dont wanta hear this he cant be a every downer thing. grenee is a ture power back that can really move to pile but if yall think jones is going to get brandon yall crazy or JH"
Ira Said:
Thu, May 28, 2009 - 6:56am ET"With the Jets signing Milner just maybe they have something. he did start a few games for the Falcons. The thing going for him is that he was a 4th rd pick of the falcons in 07. And we all know how 4th rd picks have been for the Jets since 04. Maybe they hit it again. GO JETS!!!! "
Row Said:
Thu, May 28, 2009 - 11:23am ET"With the Jets signing all these TE's, I am thinking Franks has knee problems, and the Keller blocking is not looking promising. Everyone will see TJ is the best back on the team. Braylen Edwards is not coming to the Jets, nor any big name player, we can't even sign our own guys because Sanchez is greedy. Anyone see him holding out? I do. Randy, any way we can get a new pic of TJ? Bet he's in shape"
Tom Spicer Said:
Thu, May 28, 2009 - 12:35pm ET"Trade Jones to the Browns for Braylon throw in Brad Smith (our 4th WR) & Bryan Thomas (that is now Vernon Gholston's spot) Mangini will do this. TJ is 31 is due to make a ton of money in 2010 & he is not a power runner & he is not a burner. Greene is the perfect match with Leon he is a power back who runs guys over."
wayne Said:
Thu, May 28, 2009 - 1:28pm ET"Can't believe the talk about Leon being an every down back.Leon himself has talked about being concerned about wearing down.That should be enough confirmation.HE'S NOT BIG ENOUGH FOR THE JOB.Just look around the league.Jets will be cutting off their nose to spite their face letting Jones go.Sanchez and Greene were one year wonders.It would be very foolish simply turning this over to the 2 of them."
Jeremy Said:
Thu, May 28, 2009 - 1:31pm ET"Randy, not much mention of Henry-he's our only tall WR-how's he look so far? We all know all 3 of our backs are going to split a ton of carries this year. Picking up Greene was a tremendous idea and will take the load off TJ & Leon and allow Leon to maybe catch more passes! The WR's that have a couple years in the system really need to step it up this year. Leon & Keller need to play the slot more"
Ira Said:
Thu, May 28, 2009 - 3:01pm ET"Row, Relax Sanchez will be in on time. Franks will be a hold the fort type guy and groom the younger players. And of course they will continue to watch the waiver wires."
Mike Jet Vet Said:
Thu, May 28, 2009 - 3:07pm ET"Tom Spicer.. Let me get some of what your smoking!! Trade T-J --Brad Smith & B-Thomas for B -Edwards the guy drops more then half his passes B-Smith alone given the chance will match Edwards on the field .. I stand by what I said long ago we have the receivers on this team to get the job done without using Leon Washington Money to sign a new guy"
millerman Said:
Thu, May 28, 2009 - 3:40pm ET"shhhh ! on the Marcus secret red zone wepon !"
Tom Spicer Said:
Thu, May 28, 2009 - 4:52pm ET"Mike the Jet Vet, I do not smoke & I am not saying the WR'S on this team are not going to get it done. But I have no faith in Bryan Thomas or Brad Smith I would not mind losing either of them. As far as Jones I would like to trade him while his value is at its peak & that is right now."
Row Said:
Fri, May 29, 2009 - 1:56pm ET"I will continue to be an advocate of TJ. Does anyone realize that if we traded TJ, we would be trading 15 TD's? Jones has half the carries of any one RB his age. I have yet to see a RB with a better physique. Braylen Edwards is play maker, but a me guy. As far as his drops, he had somewhere around 8 for the whole season. It's the 3 TD's he had that I'd be worried about. We have NO cap room! "
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Ira Said:
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 10:39am ET"EA, Nice to hear he is finally back. Hope he is there for camp also but i am not sold on that. TJ should get rid of Rosenhaus like Boldin just did. Mike Florio of Sporting News wrote that the Bengals made the best offseason move by signing LC. While i think LC is a very good WR i don't agree with Florio. Keller will match LC's #'s from last year of 70-850 -7 TD's. The ? is still who replaces LC?"
Offensive Comment?