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Jerk of the Week (Jan. 4): Thomas Jones
January 4th, 2009, 1:25 pm · 1 Comment · posted by Brad Milner
A New Year doesn’t mean idiot athletes have taken a new tact in speaking about teammates.
The first Jerk of the Week for 2009 is New York Jets running back Thomas Jones. He threw quarterback Brett Favre under the bus after the Jets lost to Miami in the regular-season finale. Favre threw three interceptions and Jones, who thinks he’s the best running back in the league, said the veteran should have been benched.
Jones went on to say he was “ticked” and that the guys are all “playing for the Super Bowl.” Well, news flash Mr. Jones, you were officially out of the playoff race at halftime. Plus, Favre is the best option at QB. AND it’s the coach’s decision, so maybe you should have pointed your anger there.
Here’s the big fact: Favre made the Jets a better team. Yes, Chad Pennington went to Miami and helped turn the Dolphins into a playoff team, but Favre showed the ability to stretch the field with a stronger arm. Pennington is a good QB, but teams would have been able to stop the run more with him in the lineup.
So Mr. Jones, you should thank Favre for turning you into a better running back. You had more yards and more scores due to defenses needing to respect Favre. But instead of thanking him you chose to be a jerk.
I wonder how many yards you’ll have next season with the mighty Kellen Clemens as your QB? I’m guessing not as much as in 2008. Then you can stab him in the back when things aren’t going well.
You and those anonymous teammates have done nothing compared to what Favre has done. You were a castoff for Cedric Benson of all people. So, know your place and keep your mouth shut.
Dishonorable mention: Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans. You came out and said you should have been named the offensive rookie of the year over Matt Ryan. You said since you made the Pro Bowl then you should have earned the honor.
Well, playing running back is a lot easier than quarterback. Matt Ryan turned a franchise around. All you did, while having a good season, was provide a complement to LenDale White. And you failed to show up in big games later in the year.
Ryan was consistent and deserved the award. You did well, but maybe this will teach you to do what Mr. Jones hasn’t learned: to keep your thoughts to yourself.
There is never an excuse for dissing your teammates in public. I guess Jones didn’t get the standard lectures that everyone else gets, all the way from tiny mites to high school: There is no “I” in team. What you say in the locker room stays in the locker room.
The Titans were good before Johnson, and probably would have made the playoffs without him. The Falcons wouldn’t have made it to the playoffs without Ryan. These two facts makes what Chris Johnson says irrelevant.
I got four free 21 ounce Doctor Peppers from the Winn-Dixie yesterday, a windfall from reading your blog. Thanks.