Proving once again, that the NFL is the ultimate “turn and burn” league…teams will get everything they possibly can out of you, and the second they think you lose a step, or have an incentive they don’t want to pay, they will kick you right to the curb. Ask New York Jets’ running back Thomas Jones!
He rushed for a career high 1,402 yards, 14 T.D.’s, toted the rock a career high, and all that got him was a seat on the bench late in the season and his walking papers later this week, reportedly. Thanks for coming, don’t let the door hit you, ‘T’.
The guy is beloved in his locker room, kills himself in preparing to go to battle every Sunday, and has the best year of his career at age 31 and the team thanks him by cutting him. “Turn and burn!”
Try telling that guy…a guy, as proud as the “Coal Miner’s son”, that’s its just business and that it’s not personal. Because, I’m guessing it feels personal. And that’s the way he’s taking it! I understand he was due for a fat roster bonus. And that he reportedly was unwilling to renegotiate. And that the Jets have Shonn Greene and that Leon Washington is coming back from a broken leg.
But, T.J. has certain intangibles that you can’t replace! And unlike most other backs who hit 30, he’s not used up. This is a different cat. He doesn’t have the miles on him others do, and they don’t attack it the way he does. He told me during the season, he doesn’t do days off. In other words, “legs on Friday”. “Bi’s” and “Tri’s” on Saturday morning! “20 carries” and “house calls” on Sunday’s!
You can’t out-run time, but you can out-lift and outwork it for awhile. Someone’s going to get a workhouse and a leader. And an extremely motivated guy! “Coal Miner’s son”… man!
