Jets football blog

Jones and Jets parting ways

The Jets will release Thomas Jones this week after the team's leading rusher refused to renegotiate his deal, a team source confirmed yesterday.

The Post reported in yesterday's editions that the two sides were likely headed for divorce. Jones, who rushed for 1,402 and 14 touchdowns but saw his roll reduced in the playoffs as rookie Shonn Greene emerged, is due to make $5.8 million in bonus money and base salary next season. Continue

Jones may be on way out with Jets

Despite one of the best years of his career last season, it's no secret that a different number -- the $5.8 million due him in roster bonuses and salary -- would determine Thomas Jones' future with the Jets.

Along those lines, GM Mike Tannenbaum is expected to meet with the 32-year-old running back's agent here during the scouting combine this week, most likely to discuss Jones' willingness to accept a substantial pay cut to remain with the team.

If Jones doesn't agree to a reduction, it appears likely the Jets will make him join LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook on the list of heralded backs to be released in the days leading up to the March 5 start of free agency. Continue

Sanchez surgery a success

Mark Sanchez's knee surgery was a success.

That news came from Sanchez, who had surgery on his left knee yesterday at Morristown Memorial Hospital and later delivered this message on his Twitter account:

"Out of surgery. Doc says it went exceptionally well. Thx to Dr Montgomery. Thx to family, friends & tweeps for the love and well wishes."

Responding to Sanchez' Twitter message was one from Jets kicker Jay Feely, saying, "Great news."

Sanchez had the surgery to stabilize the area around the patella in his left knee, which he dislocated in college. It was conducted by Jets orthopedists Dr. Ken Montgomery and Dr. Elliott Hershman. Continue

Jay backs Rex

Rex Ryan flipped the bird at a heckling Miami Dolphins fan last Saturday night at a mixed-martial arts show only after having been accosted by the man on three different occasions and getting spat on, according to Jay Glazer, the FOX Sports NFL insider who was with Ryan at the event.

Glazer, who detailed the incident yesterday on WFAN and later in a phone interview with The Post, said that not only shouldn't Ryan have been fined $50,000 by the Jets for the gesture, he should be given a bonus for showing remarkable restraint.

"If [GM] Mike Tannenbaum and [owner] Woody Johnson were there, they would [have] hit the guy," said Glazer, who had invited Ryan to join him and linebackers Trent Cole of the Eagles and Patrick Willis of the 49ers at Strikeforce: Miami. Continue

Sanchez ready for surgery

Mark Sanchez compared himself to a car that needs an alignment. The bad wheel is his left knee, an old college injury he aggravated late in the season.

Discussing his upcoming surgery for the first time, the Jets' franchise quarterback revealed Wednesday that he suffered a subluxation (a partial dislocation) Nov. 29 against the Panthers, hinting that it affected him for the remainder of the season.

Sanchez, who will have a "minimally invasive" procedure in two weeks, downplayed the surgery and vowed to be ready for training camp in July. Continue

Ryan may avoid punishment

The big question to arise along with Rex Ryan's middle right finger salute to rowdy Dolphins fans Saturday night is this: What's the fallout?

Earlier this season, Titans 86-year-old owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 by the NFL for giving Bills fans a double-barrel one-finger diss during a game.

So the natural question is this: Does that mean Ryan, who used only one hand to deliver his lewd message at that Mixed Martial Arts event in South Florida, is in for a $125,000 hit -- half of Adams' punishment from the league?

A league source told The Post yesterday that is not the case at all, because when it comes to poor conduct from its players and coaches, where the incident took place is a factor in doling out punishment. Continue