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Jets' Thomas Jones in no rush, misses 2nd day of offseason conditioning program

Jets' Thomas Jones in no rush, misses 2nd day of offseason conditioning program

BY Rich Cimini
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Tuesday, March 17th 2009, 9:25 PM
Jacobsohn/Getty

Thomas Jones appears to be unhappy with his contract.

Running back Thomas Jones missed a second straight day of Rex Ryan's inaugural offseason conditioning program, fueling speculation that the AFC rushing champ is unhappy with his contract.

Jones is entering the third year of a four-year, $20 million contract, which he signed at the time of his trade from the Bears, but his base salary for the coming season is only $900,000. Jones' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, approached the Jets about a renegotiation at last month's scouting combine in Indianapolis, according to a league source.

Rosenhaus didn't return calls for comment. Jets spokesman Bruce Speight refused to comment. Asked if there's a simple, non-contract-related reason for the absences, Speight once again declined to comment.

Technically, the offseason program is non-mandatory, but nearly every player usually makes it a point to attend, especially under a new coach.

If Jones is angling for a new contract, it could mushroom into a messy situation for the Jets, who would like to sign Leon Washington - Jones' backfield partner - to a long-term extension. Washington is entering the final year of his rookie contract; he attended the first day of the offseason program.

Ryan has a policy against renegotiating veteran contracts, according to former Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles, who said that was the explanation given to him when he was rebuffed last month on a long-term extension. A year ago, under Eric Mangini, Coles threatened to sit out the offseason, prompting the team to modify his contract.
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Geez...can an NFL player HONOR the FREAKING contract terms THEY AGREED to?? I know NFL has power to cut player on a whim as well..but he just got this new contract when he came year..ONE GOOD season and now he want to make waves(potentially)...LEOn is PRIORITY as his deal is gonna expire sooner..

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ACCEPTED TRUTH: That I will be ROYALLY F**CKED OVER by EVERY TEAM I ROOT FOR (METS, JETS & KNICKS) !!!