Running Joneses attempt to keep up
RENTON, Wash. – Although he holds a 2-0 head-to-head record against his older brother’s teams during their concurrent NFL careers, Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones won’t be doing any trash-talking this week.
While Julius Jones’ Seahawks will host Thomas Jones’ New York Jets on Sunday, the younger Jones is in no mood to brag. After all, he’s mired in one of the least memorable seasons of his career, while brother Thomas is thriving in his second season with the Jets.
“Of course, it sucks that our record’s not very good at all,” Julius Jones said on Wednesday, referring to the Seahawks’ 3-11 record. “But I’m proud of him. This is the best year he’s had. They gave him the opportunity to be the back that he has been, and I’m proud of him.”
Thomas Jones is leading the AFC in rushing (1,222 yards) and touchdowns (15) while playing for a playoff contender. Julius Jones is not only stuck on a struggling team, but he’s also seen his playing time diminish in recent weeks. Over the past five weeks, Jones has carried the ball 27 times for 95 yards.
“I think he’s had really good, strong moments,” Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said, referring to Jones’s two 100-yard rushing games in September. “And then he’s had some tough moments.
“And I think some of that is not his problem. It’s how he’s been used. It’s kind of the situation we have. I think he’s been a little frustrated.”
Jones has said that he doesn’t want to make any waves by complaining about playing time, so he’s more interested in talking about his brother’s success than his own lack of it.
“I can’t say enough about him,” Julius Jones said of Thomas Jones, a ninth-year player who has played for four NFL teams. “He’s gone through a lot of (negative stuff) in his career. Teams have drafted a lot of guys, stuff like that. I’m glad he’s finally in position to prove he’s the back that everybody thought he was.”
Julius Jones, who turned 27 in August, is going through some of his own professional turmoil these days. The Cowboys gave up on him after a 588-yard season in 2007, and now he has just 692 rushing yards for the Seahawks this year.
He said his brother has used personal history to keep spirits up.
“You can’t keep a good back down,” Jones said. “No matter what happens, you can’t hide talent. That’s what he always told me.”
Thomas Jones hasn’t hid his talent this year. There might be one player on the Seahawks’ sideline who is privately rooting for him Sunday afternoon.
“He’ll make a big run, and you’ve got to look around and make sure no one’s looking before you smile,” Julius Jones said. “You can’t be too blatant.”
Detour from tour
In late September 2007, following a month of inactivity that came as a result of the Seahawks releasing him, offensive lineman Kyle Williams, 23, was ready to go on tour. The rookie from USC had an inkling that his NFL career might not get off the ground, so he called a family friend and made plans to fly from his Dallas home to Las Vegas, where he would help manage Hootie and the Blowfish on a reunion tour.
As Williams prepared for his flight, the telephone rang. The Seahawks wanted him back, so he flew to Seattle, joined the team’s practice squad, and put his career as a tour manager on hold.
That decision certainly has worked out. Williams will get his first NFL start Sunday, when he’s expected to fill in for injured starters Walter Jones and Sean Locklear at left tackle.
“I don’t think anybody could’ve expected this situation, what’s happened this year,” he said, referring to the Seahawks’ never-ending spate of injuries. “It is what it is, and I’ll make the best of it.”
Notes
Holmgren described the playing statuses of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, linebacker Leroy Hill and Locklear as “grim, grim and grim,” adding that none of them is expected to play Sunday against the Jets. … Among the Jets who were limited in practice were five starters: linebacker Eric Barton (knee), wide receiver Laveranues Coles (thigh), linebacker David Harris (groin), nose tackle Kris Jenkins (hip) and linebacker Bryan Thomas (shoulder).