[CBFF] NEWSFLASH! Jones injured during Physical. Out 6 weeks!!!

[Kenny Claxton]

 Jones misses practice, wants to start

By K.C. Johnson
Tribune staff reporter
Published July 27, 2006, 3:35 PM CDT


BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Thomas Jones finally broke his silence Thursday,
speaking for the first time since skipping voluntary offseason
workouts, losing his starting running back job to Cedric Benson and
straining his right hamstring.

The latest development occurred early Thursday morning while Jones ran
sprints as part of a team physical. The Bears placed their leading
rusher on the physically unable to perform list, which he can leave at
any time before the Sept. 10 season opener.

The Bears said more information about Jones' injury would be available
Friday. Jones called the injury "not serious."

More serious are Jones' feelings over being demoted after rushing for
a career-high 1,335 yards last season.

"Anybody who has done what I've done the last couple of years is a guy
who should be a starter," Jones said. "I think I was the leader on the
offense the past two years. I think I've been very productive despite
some of the situations I've had to be in. I've worked hard. I've kept
my mouth shut. I stay out of trouble. I do what I'm supposed to do and
what the coaches ask me to do.

"As far as me being a starter, I was the starter the past two years.
So we'll see how it goes."

Jones and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, made it clear to Bears management
before the NFL Draft in April that he would welcome a trade. Asked if
he still desired one, Jones said he enjoyed playing with his
teammates. But he didn't directly answer the question.

"I really don't have a comment on that," he said. "Those were things
that happened before. Now I'm here in training camp and I'm trying to
focus on that."

Still, Jones refused to criticize Bears management, even complimenting
strength and conditioning coach Rusty Jones. But Jones said he skipped
the voluntary workouts because of his knowledge of the offense and
because he prefers working out with his own personal trainer.

kcjohnson at tribune.com