New Jets' RB Jones flexing muscle
Date: 31-05-2007
Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamUnited States |
|
Thomas Jones rolled up his sleeves and got right to work. Or maybe it was just that he couldn't find a jersey with sleeves that fit his freakishly large arms.
The Jets running back was one of the new faces mingling with familiar ones Thursday at one of the squad's Organized Team Activities. Although Jones was brought to New York in an offseason trade with the Bears to dazzle with his 1,000-yard legs, it's his upper-body strength that is drawing early attention.
With his bulging, tattooed biceps on display below those tucked-under white sleeves, it would be easy to think that Jones was the only Jet wearing full pads during the shorts-and-helmets practice. But it was all him.
"He's a physical specimen," quarterback Chad Pennington said of Jones, and coach Eric Mangini understatedly complimented his "progress in terms of his muscle mass." Jones has referred to himself as a "workout warrior" and quickly secured a reputation on the team as a ferocious weight lifter and a hard worker.
Four months ago, Jones was preparing for the biggest game of his life. He ran for 112 yards in Super Bowl XLI, but his Bears lost to the Colts. Now he is starting over with a new team and even higher expectations. His job with the Jets will be to take the place of future Hall of Famer and soon-to-be-retired Curtis Martin, a shadow an entire gaggle of running backs could not find their way out from last season.
"He's an exciting player," Pennington said. "Everyone knows what kind of a running back he is. We're going to do everything we can to make sure we put him in a successful position to help us win."
That could mean more pass plays for the eight-year veteran. Jones said the Jets' offense is more similar to the one he was a part of with the Cardinals the first three years of his career. He averaged nearly two receptions per game as a part-time starter in that system.
"There's a lot of opportunity for me to get the ball in the open field and do some things out there," Jones said. "Chicago's offense is a little more ... predictable as far as our running game. Here we have so many great players on offense, we have a lot of guys who can make plays, and I'm just one of those guys."
With Jones and his bodybuilding physique in the backfield, the Jets could very well be armed and dangerous.
Notes & quotes: Martin and G Pete Kendall are the only players on the roster not participating in the voluntary OTAs. Martin is expected to formalize his retirement soon, but Kendall reportedly is staying away to force a trade or get the Jets to renegotiate his contract ... C Nick Mangold did not practice Thursday but rode a stationary bike ... CB Justin Miller did not address anything specific about his recent arrest on third-degree assault charges after he allegedly punched a woman outside a Manhattan nightclub, but he reiterated his apology to the team and the fans and said he was glad to be back on the field. "This is what we are here for," he said. "We are here to have fun and make this team better."
