Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.
File Under: Thomas, Alan, Damien, Jones,, Faneca,, Woody,, Myko, Slim,, Keyshia, Cole,, Trina
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06/11 — Thomas Jones has some tremendous concentration.
You could see it and hear it as he was asked multiple times during recent OTAs and the full-squad minicamp about the frustrations of last season, the possibility before the draft of the Jets taking Darren McFadden, the expectations for the coming season.
"I'm here only to focus on what I have to do," Jones would say, calmly, evenly.
And you can see and hear that focus when you talk with Jones about the thing he has to do off the field. Jones has jumped into the music business.
"I've always loved music. It's something I've always wanted to do," he said recently. "I know a lot of entertainers, a lot of singers, a lot of people in the music industry, just being in the NFL and in certain environments."
So Jones has started up his own production company, Outta Pocket Entertainment. He and his partners, friends of his from when he was growing up in Virginia and will run the company when he immerses himself in football in late July, have had discussions with record company executives and music distributors for the stable they're building.
And the star of that stable is an R&B singer from Atlanta by the name of Myko Slim.
"I met Myko through one of my friends I grew up with," Jones said. "He's got a great voice, he's a young guy, and he's got a lot of potential to be a star, so we're excited about it."
Jones has had other music connections this year. You may have heard of Trina's video, "I Gotta Thang For You," featuring Keyshia Cole — as well as Jones strongly and silently appearing throughout as the video's love interest.
"I Gotta Thang For You" isn't anthem material for Jones' and the Jets' season ahead, but TJ mentioned a single that Myko has recorded that might do the trick.
"We have one song called 'Boss for the Moment,' " Jones said. "It's kind of like a club song, nice beat, nice concept. My favorite? It's one of them. Obviously, when you're on the football field, you want to be boss for the moment."
And with Jones' legendary focus, there's no telling how long that moment will stretch in the coming year.
From Song Lines to the O-Line
Speaking about his other passion, the game of football, Jones sounded as eager to get working with his offensive line and his new mates on that O-line, Alan Faneca and Damien Woody, as he did about working with Myko.
"I'm excited just about the new guys," he said. "They're hard-working guys, they're experienced guys and they've won. They bring a winning attitude and they bring a good work ethic. That's good for the younger players to follow, and it's good for the older guys to have new guys come in with the same desire they have."
Faneca, Jones' new left guard, returned the compliment.
"There's an unsaid appreciation between running backs and O-linemen," Faneca said. "They appreciate us going out there and laying it on the line, and from my time you appreciate a guy who puts his head down and works hard. Especially when you get in the weightroom, you get a little bit more of the same appreciation."
And of Jones and his noteworthy musculature, Faneca said, "No, there are not too many running backs working out with the O-linemen."
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (31)Ira Said:
Wed, June 11, 2008 - 7:28pm EDT"I will keep sayng it until i am proven wrong. Jones will have a big year this year 1400 yds and 6-8 TD's."
Fran'scan Said:
Wed, June 11, 2008 - 8:14pm EDT"TJ ran for over 1100 yds last year behind an O line that was mediocre at best. With the additions of Faneca, Woody and Callahan to guide them, it is safe to say that provided TJ stays healthy, he will hit 1400 yds easily. This guy is a workhorse ala the best RB to wear a Jet uniform, C Mart, so to all you naysayers out there who think McFad would have been the answer watch him turn into R Bush II"
Row Said:
Wed, June 11, 2008 - 8:48pm EDT"This was an article I really wanted to hear. TJ should have 16td's this season and a few hundred first downs. "
Hogan Said:
Wed, June 11, 2008 - 8:53pm EDT"Nice article Randy, I think jones is going to have a breakaway year!!!GOTTA GOOD FEALLING."
Joe Said:
Wed, June 11, 2008 - 9:33pm EDT"t jones is gonna have a good year but u cnt compare him to reggie bush he isnt a fast enough RB to go outside he is a smash mouth RB u can compare him more on the lines of a Jamal Lewis"
uncle joe Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 6:48am EDT"My only problem with TJ is he never looks happy to be here.I couldnt believe Chicago committed to Benson(who they cut)and gave us TJ.Him with Leon(who is more dangerous than Bush will ever be)and this Richardson KID will be great this season,Chattman,Smith oh the options.Shott will show his genuis this season,and probably be a Head Coach next year.Jenny is down to 9% and falling,140 THOUSAND VOTES"
Dunnie Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 8:11am EDT"I have loved this guy since the day we stole him. If you watched the intensity of his runs last year (even though ypc was low) you had to be impressed. He was running behind a swiss cheese line ... hopefully the new line will gel early and tight. He could be a MONSTER this year."
EastSideKahaluu Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 9:11am EDT"I'd say that he'll probably get around 1300 rushing yards this year. If you multiply his carries last year (310) with his average as a feature back for the Bears (4.1-4.3), you get around that number. With an improved passing game (hopefully), defenders won't be able to key on him as much. However, obviously an improved passing game would reduce his carries."
Frank Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 9:49am EDT"That's great...he is not going to "lift" his way to 1600 yards. Since he loves music so much I really do hope he is working on his agility skills maybe take a little dance lesson or two. As bad as the O-Line was last year there were times TJ looked like Barlow running the ball with no cutback or jukes in his running style. He did leave yards on the field last year....yawn...Is it August yet?"
Ira Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 11:14am EDT"Frank, There aren't too many harder workers then Jones. Give the guy a break. Did he leave yards on the field last year? Of course and so did every RB in the league. Jones is a 1 cut norht - south style of RB. You won't see shake and bake moves with him or multiple cutbacks on runs. But that doesn't mean he can't go for 1400 yds. He wears you down and needs to get 22-25 carries per game."
EYEH8DAPATS Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 11:17am EDT"This year is going to be the begining of the end for you my dearly disliked pats! Da Jets will force feed a heavy unwanted dose of Thomas Jones into you hurt and tired bodies! This is the year the pats finally don't win the division and it is going to feel so good. There is no room in this game for a team and organization that is run in that manner. Get lost and get losing pats! J!E!T!S! JETSJETSJETS"
Frank Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 12:30pm EDT"Ira...3.6 ypr and 1 rushing TD ain't gonna cut it. He needs to work on the weakest part of his game which are his cuts. Gym rats don't always make the best football players. Curtis realized this and did some unconventional workouts to improve his mobility and game. I am suggesting TJ do the same. It is virtually unheard of rushing for over 1000 yards and only scoring 1 TD he needs to improve."
Frank Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 12:37pm EDT"The Baker saga continues and Tangini the genius they are decide it's great for team chemistry to have a repeat of the Kendall fiasco from last year. There is no other team in the NFL that is having this problem. Tannenbaum needs to be held accountable for this stupidity. Contrary to the uneducated this "only one player out of 85" does create a negative vibe in the lockerroom and undermines morale."
ablity Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 1:28pm EDT"TJ can do everything at running back i just think the thing we is missing is that ability to just run aways from players in the secondary, i dont think he just dont have the speed to do it but i think its the way he run, he always run hard, looking to make someone miss or run someone over, he need to just run at fulllll speed and loosely when he hit the second level. 1500 yrd and over 8 td big yr"
Ablity Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 1:38pm EDT"why is anyone still talking about reggie bush anyway the guys should just be put at reciever not at runing back, last year TJ didnt get enough carries. did anyone watch the steelers game this year, behind the line of srimage, TJ can do everything, break takles, makes people miss and all that. it when he get pass the line that i got a problem with. if he dont get 1500 this its because of low carrys"
Joe Wille Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 2:32pm EDT"I tell you what, you guys gush about TJ and his "guns", but for a runner with no moves and no breakaway speed, I found it extremely disturbing last year to see him tackled by the first defender every time. He does not break tackles ( hence, the lack of TDs), so without elusive qualities, where exactly do you guys expect all this success to come from?"
Casey Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 3:16pm EDT"I agree with Joe Willie...enough about the guns....yeah, he works out alot....but where i disagree w/ Joe...you cant expect much from the run when you dont have the blocking......Jones will be successful this year for two obvious reasons....improved line and a more experienced change of pace back (washington).......why do you think the pats have done so well.....OFF. LINE...ps.....i hate the pats)"
CEDRIC Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 3:38pm EDT"I like TJ, I think a runner like him has to have a strong OLINE, its hard to not Go down on the 1st tackle when u line up 8 yards behind the line of scrimmage w/ no Fullback & a Weak OLINE, u try getting 1300 yards under those conditions. The Combo of Bad Run formations, Weak OLINE & not getting enough carries, with falling behind early in games, not a successful Recipe, but maybe im wrong."
billvv Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 7:21pm EDT"Frank, see Giants Shockey, Bengals Ocho Stinko, and others too numerous to mention. Slow new week, nothing more. This too will pass."
Row Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 8:08pm EDT"Thanks Cedric you hit the nail on the head. Anyone who thinks TJ is a one cut runner needs to take a look at the superbowl footage. 113 yards with a pitiful QB. I played a bit of RB in HS and not one time did I run even on a sweep without a FB somewhere smashing someone's head! I don't remember running a dive out of a 5wr set with motion either. We didn't have enough off tackle runs. Go Jets "
Drew Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 11:06pm EDT"TJ will have a better year this year..but he is what he is. A tough runner who with the help of his O-line can wear down opponents. He tried way to hard to make plays last year...Enough about Baker. The whole league has this problem. The difference is the Jets tell these guys to be patient and then they expect new deals. We might be a little too nice. Plus Baker not good enough to make demands!!"
Jim Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 11:49pm EDT"Joe Willie needs to remember something. Curtis Martin didn't have killer moves or breakaway speed either. TJ was not tackled by the first guy either. The offensive line personally lost at least 6 games last year. Defense should be a bit better. Combine those 2 together and it MAY be a 11-5 team. But it's a rough road schedule this year. Defense will need to play out of the gate unlike the past 2y"
DOUG Said:
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 11:55pm EDT"FRANK, INSTEAD OF BEING A KNOW-IT-ALL CRITIC, FOCUS ON SOME POSITIVES FOR THIS SEASON ! SHOW US SOME LOVE !"
Dunnie Said:
Fri, June 13, 2008 - 8:00am EDT"I just read an interesting article about Pittsburgh's LT Smith. IMO this is how Baker should be conducting his business. Basically the contract is beyond his control and he should be thankful for playing football. If he has an amazing year he will be rewarded. Coming off 4-12 he has no ground to stand on with two years remaining on his contract. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08164/889330-66.stm"
Frank Said:
Fri, June 13, 2008 - 10:53am EDT"Wrongo Drew the whole league does not have this problem. There are players that are unhappy about their contracts not a multitude of players saying they were guarranteed new ones. The best organizations deal with these issues not put their collective heads in the sand. You can't have your GM promising players every year they will revisit their contracts this creates chaos. Resolve this now!"
Frank Said:
Fri, June 13, 2008 - 11:02am EDT"Tangini needs to get a back bone. I ran a firm with significantly more employees and if any of them called me a liar I would have fired or suspended them unless it was true. With Baker telling the media that Tannenbaum is a liar...without any repurcusions this severly undermines his effectiveness as a leader and the organizations ability to create unity and achieve success. Tangini do something!"
JP Said:
Fri, June 13, 2008 - 2:09pm EDT"Nothing wrong with a Renaissance man! In addition to some of this talk about him never looking happy...he is there to win! He had the same look when the Bears were in the Superbowl and he was running hard. I mean...look at the photo up at the top! The man is ready to run through a brick wall. With the additions to the O-line, he should have an excellent year."
CEDRIC Said:
Fri, June 13, 2008 - 7:41pm EDT"REVISIT Doesnt mean RESTRUCTURE , they probably looked at it & decided to put money elsewhere. He Hollered trade before they spoke to him, they looked at a young better prospect & a space filler, he became expendable...sorry, REVISIT doesnt mean RESTRUCTURE...but maybe i'm wrong."
Row Said:
Sat, June 14, 2008 - 12:01pm EDT"Randy, just to put this to rest, did Chris Baker at any time state he wanted to be traded publicly? During the interview? I am saying no but I don't like to post anything unless it's right. "
Randy Lange Said:
Sat, June 14, 2008 - 1:04pm EDT"Row, in the transcript on newyorkjets.com of Chris Baker's interview after the morning minicamp practice on June 5, he said several times that he had requested a trade."
Drew Said:
Mon, June 16, 2008 - 4:31pm EDT"Once again Frank you cannot compare your job to the life of an NFL GM. The players run the league not the GM's.....Plus if you listen to Baker he clearly stated it would be looked at not redone. The team went 4-12 and he wants more money?? Why because he is a slightly above avg TE and the team said we would look at it? They looked at it and spent their money elsewhere. Get over it Baker!!!!! "
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Jesse Said:
Wed, June 11, 2008 - 5:19pm EDT"Sounds like TJ got something good going on for himself. I'll check the cd out whenever it comes out."