EA: Jones, Elam Up for NFL Weekly Awards
Published: Tue, November 11, 2008 - 9:54am EDT
By Eric Allen
Allen is the senior managing editor of newyorkjets.com. He is in his seventh season with the Jets.
File Under: Thomas Jones, Abram Elam, Tony Richardson, Calvin Pace, FedEx Ground Player of the Week, GMC Sierra Defensive Week
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11/11 — The Jets had a number of standout performances Sunday in their historic 47-3 thumping of the St. Louis Rams, and pair of players — RB Thomas Jones and S Abram Elam — have been nominated for two weekly sponsored NFL awards.
Jones, who rushed for 149 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, is a candidate for FedEx Ground Player of the Week, and Elam, whose first career sack resulted in a 50-yard fumble-return TD for Calvin Pace, is up for the GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Week. Fans can vote for both players at the above links through Thursday.
On Monday, TJ talked about his latest effort on newyorkjets.com radio.
“I guess I was kind of in a zone,” he told fullback Tony Richardson and me during the latest installment of ‘Paving the Way with T-Rich." “It was one of those things where you get rolling early, you feel pretty good and you start to get consistent carries. You get the feel for how the defense is playing and then you start making things happen.”
TJ set the tone against the Rams, carrying five times for 53 yards on the opening drive, which culminated with his 13-yard cutback to the end zone.
“When you’re able to run the football — especially early in the game — it demoralizes a football team but it gives us the ability to set other things up,” Richardson said.
But that Rams demolition means little now as the Jets are only two days out from getting it on with the Patriots in Foxboro with sole possession of first place in the AFC East at stake.
“We’re kind of on a roll and we have some momentum,” said Jones, the AFC's leading rusher with 750 yards. “We’ve won a couple of games now and we’re kind of coming together as a team, playing complementary football.
“It would be a really big win for us. It’s away, so it’s going to be a tough environment and it’s against a really good football team. We definitely have our work cut out for us, but I think we’ll be up to it and I think everyone’s excited about the opportunity to play.”
Elam’s made the most out of his opportunity in the defensive backfield. After taking Eric Smith’s spot in the lineup, “Big Play Abe” returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown against the Bills and then came back a week later to deliver an early knockout blow to QB Marc Bulger and the Rams.
Ira Said:
Tue, November 11, 2008 - 10:31am EDT"EA, For all those who doubted TJ now you see why they went and got him. I thought he would have 1300-1400 yds this year and he is on his way. Everbody here knows Elam is my man. Hope he wins the award. And remember Elam had a strip and FR but it was nulified by a Poteat penalty."
Zartan Said:
Tue, November 11, 2008 - 10:34am EDT"sorry for Jones but A.peterson has O player of week but Elam has a shot.Why didn't Manghini have him starting from day 1?Why didnt the jet sign D.Hall for 400K,then go sign Law?we could have sured up our CBs for a few yrs.we will have the room when Farves done taking us to the superbowl."
Drew Said:
Tue, November 11, 2008 - 10:56am EDT"As much as a beating Sutton has taken from us fans. Both corner blitzes he has called in the last 2 games has changed the game. Revis at Buffalo and Abe causing the Pace returned fumble. Maybe it all revolves around Big jenks in the middle. As soon as he has started to dominate everyone looks like a better player. Sample with Faneca and the O-line. Money well spent....."
Kevin Said:
Tue, November 11, 2008 - 5:08pm EDT"looking over todays power rankings that get done on NFL.com we are 8th and the patriots are 12th lets go out on thursday and destroy them take first place in the Division and then rout the Titans if we can do that we will have proved our worth to the NFL. All NY Super Bowl Jets win 30-28"
Anonymous Said:
Tue, November 11, 2008 - 8:17pm EDT"Eric, why didn't Mangini give Thomas Jones offensive player of the week? Dustin Keller? What is he trying to make the kid feel good? I was at the game and Jones was unstoppable."
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Jakeberk Said:
Tue, November 11, 2008 - 10:06am EDT"Abram Elam has been a playmaker in our defense and he is solid against the run too. Even when Eric Smith returns from injury, Elam should stay the starter. He was impressive last year too."
Offensive Comment?