Jets' Thomas Jones lauds Brett Favre but stands by rip of QB

Jets' Thomas Jones lauds Brett Favre but stands by rip of QB
January 3
New York Daily News
"Thomas Jones, who ripped Brett Favre this week for his three-interception meltdown in the season finale, shifted into damage-control mode Friday, saying he is planning to call Favre to clarify his stinging comments.

"I'll talk to Brett," Jones said Friday on ESPN's "First Take" show. "Everything is cool with me and Brett. He's a great guy."

On Tuesday, Jones fueled an anti-Favre firestorm, becoming the first player to publicly criticize the future Hall of Fame quarterback. In an interview on New York's Hot 97 FM, the Jets' Pro Bowl running back said he was "(ticked) off" by the interceptions and hinted that Favre should have been benched.

Jones stood by those comments, but he added that he respects Favre and was referring to only the Miami game.

"I'm not the type of person that goes out there and just throws people under the bus or makes comments about people," Jones said. "Either I answer a question honestly, realistically, or I don't answer it at all.

"The only thing that I could give my opinion on was the interceptions. And that's what I did," Jones added. "As far as him coming out of the game, that's not my call, just like if I'm in the game and I'm not playing well, and I have two or three fumbles, that's not my call."

The Jets' offseason has turned into an open season on Favre, who slumped with nine interceptions and only two touchdown passes over the final five games - a 1-4 collapse that cost them a playoff berth. On Monday, Eric Mangini paid the price with his job. On Tuesday, Favre reportedly was diagnosed with a torn biceps tendon in his throwing arm, which may have contributed to his late-season slide.

Since then, the media and teammates have attacked Favre. The only player on the record is Jones. Others were quoted anonymously, claiming Favre received preferential treatment from Mangini and that he made little effort to ingratiate himself to the team. For instance, according to a Jets veteran, Favre never socialized with his offensive linemen, a fairly traditional practice throughout the NFL."
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