Transcript: Thomas Jones 10.23
On the game against Oakland…
I’m just going to take it one play at a time, like I always do. The main goal is that we have to win this game. It’s a big game for us, a West Coast game, an away game. It’s definitely one of those games where the team has to come together. Eliminate any penalties and turnovers and give our team the best chance to win the game.
On if he had a chance to enjoy the performance against Buffalo…
When you watch the film, you see some good things on film. When you lose the game, the feeling that you have is frustration in not winning that takes over any type of feeling of accomplishment. I want to win, first of all. I will do everything I can in the game to help us win. Any yard that I rush for, or Leon (Washington), or any yards Mark (Sanchez) passes for is to help us win games. At the end of the day it’s pretty much for nothing.
On if he spoke with Curtis Martin [regarding his record game] …
No, I haven’t heard from him.
On the long runs…
The line is doing a great job. We have eight (or) nine guys in the box. The only thing about that is if you get guys blocked up and one guy is out of place, a great run can happen. The offensive line has done a great job despite having that many guys to block. We’re going to have to make a guy miss. It’s a lot about angles. If you get yourself a good angle, a lot of times you get in a good position. The line is doing a great job. I am working extremely hard like I always do and taking care of my body. I’m watching film and preparing the best I can. So far, things have been going OK.
On being the exception to the “30-plus rule”…
I don’t even know who came up with that rule. Whomever came up with that rule obviously didn’t play running back in this League, didn’t prepare like I prepare, didn’t watch film like I watch film, didn’t take care of their body like I take care of my body. I feel like a rookie. I don’t feel like I’ve been in the League for 10 years. It’s a mental thing. I love my teammates, I love watching film, I love getting ready to go out there and play the game. I have fun on Sundays, I have fun at practice. I can play another four or five years if I want to. I take care of my body and I’m blessed. So, the 30-and-up rule, I don’t know who came up with that, but I’m not buying it.
On people being surprised about the physicality of his play…
The people that know me and know how I work are not surprised by the way I play. It’s the way I’ve always played. I’m not going to play any differently because it is my 10th year in the league. If anything, I’ve gotten better, I’ve gotten more experience, I know how to take care of my body. I know how to lay off a little when I need to and I know how to work harder when I need to. With age comes experience. Nobody has expressed any type of surprise. The guys on my team know how I work, they know how I take care of myself and prepare. I’m just one of the guys on the team.
On if he came in wanting to show that last year was not a fluke…
No. Every year is different, every game is different. I take it one game at a time. Last year has nothing to do with this year. It’s a totally different season, a totally different year. Last year we didn’t make it to the playoffs, so obviously our first goal is to get to the playoffs and win the Super Bowl. You have different goals. Once I’m done with a season, or done with a game I am moving on to the next game. You have to have a short memory in this league, whether you have a good game or a bad game.
On if his experience helps him focus on the team instead of individual accomplishments…
Any time that you are a back or a receiver and you are used to making plays and having success, of course you want it to continue. Nobody wants to not have the opportunities to make plays and help the team. Nobody wants to stop the success, but at the end of the day, when you win there is enough for everybody. That’s been proven true for me in my career. I don’t look at it as I need to go out and get 100-yards per game. A guy asked me if I think I am back on track and that is probably one of the dumbest questions you can ask me. I’m not one of those people that talks about myself. I don’t look at myself, I’m not a selfish guy at all. My whole life I have not been a selfish person. I just do my part when my number is called and I am going to do the best I can.
On if the backs will have to shoulder the load with a “simplified” offense for Mark Sanchez…
We have full confidence in Mark (Sanchez). Everyone has days and games where they wish they had played better, but they move on to the next one. He is a rookie, he is learning that. You learn from mistakes. The one good thing about mistakes that you make early is you have a chance to correct them the next week. Mark knows we are behind him 100 percent. He worked really hard this week. I don’t think we’ve simplified things for Mark in particular. We have core things that we can do pretty well. We want to give ourselves the best chance to win. We didn’t do that last week because we have not only turnovers, but we had penalties. Any time you start the game off with a penalty and you have penalties in key points in the game, you are not giving yourself the best shot to win. That plays into the losses too. It’s not just Mark’s turnovers. A lot of guys can do better including myself. I know that everyone can do better to help us win the game.
On if he shuns the spotlight…
I don’t dislike the media, or doing interviews, or talking. I have no problem doing that. I am just a very focused person. I believe in my routine, it’s worked for me. As soon as practice is over I come in and go to the weight room and I watch film. I am here until 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. watching film and doing what I need to do to be prepared. That is the way I can be my best on Sunday. It’s not that I run from the spotlight, I’m just one of those people that likes to focus on my job. I like to be consistent. I pride myself on being consistent. I don’t want to have a good game here or there, I want to do the right things every week. When I watch the film, I want to say this play I did what I was supposed to do, that play I did what I was supposed to do. Anytime I see a play and I wasn’t in the right spot, or I didn’t make the right read, or I missed a protection, I am hard on myself. I pride myself on trying to be perfect every play. I think by doing that you don’t have a lot of time to seek the spotlight (or) try to be in the middle of everything. I stay focused on the next week and the next game. That is just how I’ve approached it and it works for me.
5 Responses to Transcript: Thomas Jones 10.23
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nyckage says:
We have 2 good running backs, good enough to run like 80% running plays on a horrible raiders D, Sanchez won’t need to throw much, and if he does, he better not throw to the side of Nnamdi Asomugha, so don’t even think about trying to force it to Braylon. Just work with Keller and the Clown and ofcourse LW and we will be alright.
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Jay says:
This is a must win for the jets no stupid play calling and don’t turn the ball over. Let’s have faith in our QB he will be fine he is a rookie and will make mistakes he will learn from them I believe in him. Go jets!!!!!
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TJ is Fedex ground player of the week
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vajet says:
VA’S FINEST!
if he takes one for the team, and renegotiates his contract next year, we should keep him and let him retire here.
GOT IT TANNY!
I like TJ’s work ethic. Hopefully Sanchez will follow his lead.