Thomas Jones Speaks About Trade

[Metal Militia]

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/6439215

Jones thankful for opportunity with Super Bowl champs
June 19, 2003

TAMPA, Fla. -- Thomas Jones is glad to be starting over.

A major disappointment in Arizona, the disgruntled running back is eager to turn his career around with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who obtained him in exchange for receiver Marquise Walker last week.

"Honestly, I look at it as a blessing. The whole offseason I waited to see what they were going to do, and somehow I ended up coming here. I am definitely happy to be where I am right now," Jones said after a workout Thursday.

"I'm not going to say I'm happy to be out of Arizona, because I'm not going to talk bad about the organization. I have respect for them, and they are an NFL organization. I'm definitely thankful to be here in Tampa."

Jones was the seventh overall pick in the 2000 draft after an outstanding college career at Virginia. But he failed to play up to expectations in three seasons in Arizona, including two as a backup to Michael Pittman, who signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent last year.

With Pittman now facing aggravated assault charges after being accused of using his Hummer to ram a vehicle carrying his wife, 2-year-old son and baby sitter, the Bucs view the 5-foot-10, 220-pound Jones as insurance for the running game.

"He's a thick and quick guy ... a quick study, and we think he has some unique running skills that should make things real interesting," coach Jon Gruden said.

Gruden reiterated, however, that the Bucs have not ruled Pittman out of their plans.

"We are still gathering facts and when we get all the information we'll make the decision that we deem appropriate," Gruden said. "But in the time being, we need to make contingency plans. ... We are still going to look at every available option, not only at the running back position, but any other position."

Jones started nine of Arizona's first 10 games before losing his job to Marcel Shipp last season. He was hampered part of the year by an ankle sprain and missed the last five games after telling the Cardinals he broke his right hand reaching for a telephone.

When the Cardinals signed NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith earlier this year, Jones -- with one year left on his contract at a base salary of $535,000 -- became expendable.

Now, he just wants to make the most of an opportunity to jump-start his career.

"Sometimes things don't go your way, and you just have to fight back. You just keep fighting until you get to the point where you want to be," said Jones, who rushed for a career-high 511 yards on 138 carries and scored two touchdowns last season.

"I'm a strong-minded person. I'm a strong-willed person. Obviously, I wasn't the seventh pick in the draft for nothing."

 

[TXCardinalsFan]

No, he certainly was not the seventh pick for nothing. How much did he cost us? Too much I think.

 

[Shane]

I wish TJ the best. Contrary to what many of you have stated the guy has never shown any type of attitude problem. The only thing that could be construed as even close to that would be his absence from the team facilities after he broke his hand. But heck if I wasnt being payed I wouldnt show up either!

He also showed heart(something many of you say he didnt have) last year when he tried to play and played through a severe high ankle sprain. I dont know if any of you have ever had one but they are extremely painful! The guy played through the pain and actually played well against San Diego even with the injury!

Then he even showed more heart the following week when he pulled himself out of the game without having to be pulled by the coach knowing he just didnt have it. He showed that he knew Shipp could do the job better and came out for the good of the team!

The guy was on the verge of a decent year last year prior to the ankle sprain. It all went down hill from there!

I have a strange feeling that we will be hearing from him again. The guy has talent!

I believe how he broke his hand as well. I have seen many freak injuries that just happen and can't be explained! Not to mention there is no evidence to prove otherwise!


Good Luck TJ!

 

[RugbyMuffin]

HA

"He's a thick and quick guy ... a quick study, and we think he has some unique running skills that should make things real interesting," coach Jon Gruden said.

Unique! Is that what you call that dancing in front of the hole runnging style?

Anyway he is gone, Best wishes and all TJ! Run for 1,000 yds and 20 TD but don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split ya!

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by Shane H
I wish TJ the best. Contrary to what many of you have stated the guy has never shown any type of attitude problem. The only thing that could be construed as even close to that would be his absence from the team facilities after he broke his hand. But heck if I wasnt being payed I wouldnt show up either!

He also showed heart(something many of you say he didnt have) last year when he tried to play and played through a severe high ankle sprain. I dont know if any of you have ever had one but they are extremely painful! The guy played through the pain and actually played well against San Diego even with the injury!

Then he even showed more heart the following week when he pulled himself out of the game without having to be pulled by the coach knowing he just didnt have it. He showed that he knew Shipp could do the job better and came out for the good of the team!

The guy was on the verge of a decent year last year prior to the ankle sprain. It all went down hill from there!

I have a strange feeling that we will be hearing from him again. The guy has talent!

I believe how he broke his hand as well. I have seen many freak injuries that just happen and can't be explained! Not to mention there is no evidence to prove otherwise!


Good Luck TJ!

I disagree. Everything you described, is what is expected of any NFL player. And his attitude problem did show. He only really hung out with and talked with Boston, which isn't very good for the team.

But, kudos to TJ for handling this with class and not taking a shot at the team when he had a chance.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
I disagree. Everything you described, is what is expected of any NFL player. And his attitude problem did show. He only really hung out with and talked with Boston, which isn't very good for the team.

But, kudos to TJ for handling this with class and not taking a shot at the team when he had a chance.

I think TJ handle this with class because of Graves IMO. Graves always said that he was in contact with TJ. The Cards were not happy with TJ and vice-versa. I believe they were both honest about that and that is why Graves tried to make a trade.

TJ definately had a tude but he still didn't take a shot at the Cardinal organization which to me makes up for his attitude last year.

This all speculation on my part.

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
I disagree. Everything you described, is what is expected of any NFL player. And his attitude problem did show. He only really hung out with and talked with Boston, which isn't very good for the team.

But, kudos to TJ for handling this with class and not taking a shot at the team when he had a chance.

TJ had the perfect opportunity to bash this organization left and right. I am glad he chose not to and it shows alot of class that he didn't. He never was a yapper like Rice so it doesn't surprise me he didn't take any parting shots.

Now I DO agree that he was being primed to have an attitude by hanging solely with Boston...and all reports seem to have pointed to them not being a part of the bigger group. I think this would have led to problems since Boston clearly didn't want to be here and TJ did have issues with the Cards over the refusal to pay. The two of them, if kept on the roster, would have poisoned each other's attitudes with their griping.

It was a mistake to simply let Boston go but Graves got something for TJ (although I personally wish he would have gone a different direction). Graves made both guys happy and the Cards are better off without them.

I hope TJs change of scenery turns the light on and he proves everyone wrong. It is almost always a good story when that happens. I am not banking on it but I hope the best for him.

 

[SECTION 11]

Good for him for not flaming the organization that made him a millionaire.

I'm pleasantly surprised.

 

[Shane]

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
I disagree. Everything you described, is what is expected of any NFL player. And his attitude problem did show. He only really hung out with and talked with Boston, which isn't very good for the team.

But, kudos to TJ for handling this with class and not taking a shot at the team when he had a chance.

Sorry Krang but TJ never showed a bad attitude even after being benched two years in a row by a guy who never put up any better stats then he did. (pitt)

Also TJ was workout partners with DB and from everything else I saw that was about it. TJ was open and candid with the other players on the team every time I observed him at training camp. He was also always in the mix on the sidelines unlike one DB who you would find sulking away all by himself. You never saw that out of TJ even though they were friends. TJ was always very animated I saw him several times jump in the arms of other players who scored TDs and I even saw him be the first to congratulate Pittman everytime he would get a score!

I personally feel you are unfairly labeling him and just lumping him in the same category as Boston just because they were friends which just plain and simply doesnt describe what I saw.

Oh and no you dont find or expect RBs in todays league to try and play through a severe high ankle sprain. Most would sit it out and be advised to sit it out!

 

[Shane]

Forgot to mention that TJ was always friendly at camp as well whereas Boston always acted like a pimmadonna ass!

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by Shane H


I personally feel you are unfairly labeling him and just lumping him in the same category as Boston just because they were friends which just plain and simply doesnt describe what I saw.

Oh and no you dont find or expect RBs in todays league to try and play through a severe high ankle sprain. Most would sit it out and be advised to sit it out!

You might be right about this, and I will admit as much.

But I think many RBs would play with a high ankle sprain, that doesn't impress me one bit. But I give him credit for not being low class and taking a shot at the org.....that has to count for something, and I will be hoping for the best for him, even though I think little of him as a player.

 

[Shane]

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
You might be right about this, and I will admit as much.

But I think many RBs would play with a high ankle sprain, that doesn't impress me one bit. But I give him credit for not being low class and taking a shot at the org.....that has to count for something, and I will be hoping for the best for him, even though I think little of him as a player.

Well then on that issue we will have to agree to disagree. I have had a very bad high ankle sprain and I know the kind of pain that it causes and let me tell you him playing on it impressed the hell out of me. I cried like a little bitch and was on crutches for a week!

I have seen other players on the injury wire sitting it out due to such an injury many times.

I also still believe that he is talented enough to make it in this league and I hope he does!

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by Shane H
Well then on that issue we will have to agree to disagree. I have had a very bad high ankle sprain and I know the kind of pain that it causes and let me tell you him playing on it impressed the hell out of me. I cried like a little bitch and was on crutches for a week!

I have seen other players on the injury wire sitting it out due to such an injury many times.

I also still believe that he is talented enough to make it in this league and I hope he does!

You've gotta' remember that NFL players typically will get shots of antiflammatories (swelling reducers) and pain killer shots to play through those injuries. Players can play through any injury where something isn't broken. Now Larry Wilson playing with two broken hands....that's impressive!

But I don't think too much of Jones. He really isn't that good, but I do think he could be useful in the right situation. Baltimore drafted Lewis over Jones, and recently it was reported that they thought of him as a 3rd down back. I think that he could be a third down back in this league, but not a starter.

He has shown that he has only average (or below) average run vision and almost never breaks a tackle. But he has good speed, receiving skills, and blocking skills, which make him an ideal canidate for a third down back.

 

[Shane]

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
You've gotta' remember that NFL players typically will get shots of antiflammatories (swelling reducers) and pain killer shots to play through those injuries. Players can play through any injury where something isn't broken. Now Larry Wilson playing with two broken hands....that's impressive!

But I don't think too much of Jones. He really isn't that good, but I do think he could be useful in the right situation. Baltimore drafted Lewis over Jones, and recently it was reported that they thought of him as a 3rd down back. I think that he could be a third down back in this league, but not a starter.

He has shown that he has only average (or below) average run vision and almost never breaks a tackle. But he has good speed, receiving skills, and blocking skills, which make him an ideal canidate for a third down back.

I dont know if I buy the whole shots and inflammatory bit. The guy was visibly limping and in severe pain during the San Diego game and in the Giants game where he pulled himself. If he was taking the pain killers to mask the pain why was he still limping so badly? I think some players realize that those drugs and masking agents are bad for them and wont use them knowing it could risk a career threatening problem later. Because they cant feel when something is seriously wrong. I know some do but Im sure many wont for that simple reason. I dont ever rememebr them saying that he was taking shots to relieve pain which many times is reported.

Also krang why and the heck did you hide yourself so we cant see when you are posting now???? SNEAKY!

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by Shane H
I dont know if I buy the whole shots and inflammatory bit. The guy was visibly limping and in severe pain during the San Diego game and in the Giants game where he pulled himself. If he was taking the pain killers to mask the pain why was he still limping so badly? I think some players realize that those drugs and masking agents are bad for them and wont use them knowing it could risk a career threatening problem later. Because they cant feel when something is seriously wrong. I know some do but Im sure many wont for that simple reason. I dont ever rememebr them saying that he was taking shots to relieve pain which many times is reported.

Also krang why and the heck did you hide yourself so we cant see when you are posting now???? SNEAKY!

Actually, now that I think about it, I withdraw my contention....you are right he was limping.

And I prefer to be anonymous....it's kind of fun being on here, without anyone knowing.

 

[Captain Matt]

Originally posted by Shane H
The only thing that could be construed as even close to that would be his absence from the team facilities after he broke his hand. But heck if I wasnt being payed I wouldnt show up either!

Are you serious? We don't have to go to work if we don't like how things are going in the office? Good luck trying to explain that one without finding youself on the curb by the end of the day. These guys are a bunch of whining, over-paid babies.

 

[Shane]

Originally posted by the Lieutenant
Are you serious? We don't have to go to work if we don't like how things are going in the office? Good luck trying to explain that one without finding youself on the curb by the end of the day. These guys are a bunch of whining, over-paid babies.

So your saying that if your not payed you would still show up to work????

Hmmm give me your number when I open my business your hired!

 

[MAKTEN]

"I'm not going to say I'm happy to be out of Arizona, because I'm not going to talk bad about the organization. I have respect for them, and they are an NFL organization. I'm definitely thankful to be here in Tampa."


Thomas might end up being decent, and I wish him the best. I thought he didn't really have the heart to play at RB in the NFL. But with this comment I have more respect for him now.

And isn't it ironic that Tampa has taken our RB's. Why would they do that? I guess it doesn't matter because they won the SB with Pittman.

 

[JasonKGME]

Originally posted by Shane H
So your saying that if your not payed you would still show up to work????

Hmmm give me your number when I open my business your hired!

Hmmmm lets see. I'm paid in 2 different forms, 1-salary and 2-commision. My salary is strickly a base to live off of, my commisions of course are based on my performance for the job. If I get sick and am unable to perform to get my commisions should my employeer still require me to come in and earn my base salary, maybe doing some light office work??? Hell yes. Jones is the same way he has his yearly salary which is his "commisions" based on his performance of his every day job of running the ball on sundays. his salary really was his signing bonus which basically is saying we hold your rights and you work for us for X # of years, and as long as you continue to perfom on the field you will get your "salary" for that performance. So he quit performing on the field and the team quit paying his salary, he still had his signing bonus and the team should be able to make him come in for practices, work outs, etc until he can resume his on the field duties to start earning his salary again!

 

[Alan]

Originally posted by Metal Militia
"He's a thick and quick guy ... "

I won't say it, I won't say it. (gets dirty images out of head)

 

[Tangodnzr]

Great Posts Shane!

You express my feelings about TJ to the "T".

I still think he has the talent to be a good NFL running back. I wish things had worked out better here. C'est La Vie.
I wish him well.

 

[Wild Card]

Originally posted by Metal Militia
http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/6439215

Thomas Jones is glad to be starting over.

A major disappointment in Arizona, the disgruntled running back is eager to turn his career around with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who obtained him in exchange for receiver Marquise Walker last week.

"Honestly, I look at it as a blessing. The whole offseason I waited to see what they were going to do, and somehow I ended up coming here. I am definitely happy to be where I am right now," Jones said after a workout Thursday.

MM:

Really, why should anyone care what Thomas Jones has to say about his time in Arizona? He had three years to claim the starter's role on this team, and couldn't do it.

BTW, if I hear one more time about the game Jones had last year against Seattle, I'm gonna break something. The Seahawks were the 32nd-ranked defense in the league last season, for both total yardage and YPA. Every decent RB they faced lit 'em up.

At this point, Jones looks like an outstanding collegiate player whose game didn't translate well to the pros; not the first, not the last. As an added bonus, he couldn't stay healthy enough to maximize whatever talent he *did* have.

Maybe he'll be healthy in Tampa, and Gruden will figure out a way to utilize him effectively. As far as the Cardinals are concerned, he's both history and an expensive mistake, in dollars and lost opportunity. (Picture Dave McGinnis, head in his hands, murmuring brokenly, "We could've had Urlacher. We could've had Urlacher...")

WC

 

[Lex]

What's left unsaid

Look at TJ's quote: "I'm not going to say I'm happy to be out of Arizona, because I'm not going to talk bad about the orginization."

What, did he make a deal with us, that if he would agree to "not talk bad about the orginization" we wouldn't drag him through the muck he created with his broken hand? What a pile of crap.

If a reporter asked him: Thomas, are you happy to be out of Arizona?

His answer should have been: Happy to be out of Arizona?

Listen, the Cardinals had enough faith in my abilities to make me the 7th player taken in the draft, and paid me millions.
They gave me the starting job without earning it, for three consecutive years. They drafted offensive linemen to help me succeed. They hung in there with me through three years of breathing problems, minor injuries that kept me off the field, and a poisonous attitude, that helped send every offensive skill position player away last year. They didn't even bash me, when I refused to make any sort of contact with the team for MONTHS, after I hit the wall last year...or the phone...or the hairdresser...whatever, instead of exposing me for what I am to the rest of the league, they kept quiet, and traded me to the Super Bowl champs. Why would I talk bad about that orginization?

I should be talking GOOD about that orginization.

 

[SECTION 11]

that's good stuff.

 

[Pariah]

I disagree with you guys--he did bash the organization. If he didn't want to bash us he would have simply said: "I'm excited to be in Tampa." Instead he said: "I'm not going to talk bad about the organization. I'm happy to be in Tampa."

Why call attention to the fact you're "not talking bad" about something unless you're passive-agressively talking bad about it?