Thomas Jones is a back in motion
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.
