Thomas Jones: "I've Got Most Respect for Brett"

By JOSH ALPER

Updated 8:43 AM EST, Sat, Jan 3, 2009

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Eyebrows were raised earlier this week when, during an interview with radio station Hot 97, Jets running back Thomas Jones said that Brett Favre should have been benched during the season-ending loss to the Dolphins. It fueled the fire that's engulfed the team since their dismal end to the season, and gave ammunition to anyone who thinks Favre should be gone from the team next season.

Jones appeared on ESPN's "First Take" today, though, and tried to walk his statements back a bit. Jones said he was doing the interview to promote his music business and didn't expect to talk about Favre.

"I've got most respect for Brett," Jones said. "He's one of the best quarterbacks of all-time. He's a great teammate, you know, he brought a lot to our team this year. I didn't go up there [to] participate in Brett Favre questions," he said. "So when she asked me the question about interceptions, I answered it, as far as how I felt from the game -- the Miami game."

Look for Jones's new album "Brett Favre's Interceptions Ruined Our Season" in a store near you!

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This entire bit of business has been blown way out of proportion. Jones's comments came from a place of frustration and would have been the same no matter what quarterback threw three interceptions in that game. Kerry Rhodes said he didn't want Favre back unless he went through offseason workouts and that was also taken as much more of a slight than it actually comes off. Who would want a teammate, Favre or otherwise, who doesn't go through the same things that you do?

These remarks say much more about the totality of the Jets collapse than they do about Favre. Few losing teams are able to escape the culture of assigning blame and behind covering, the Jets aren't any different. When things were good no one was complaining that Favre was aloof or that he threw too many picks, and, if the Jets were preparing for a playoff game, no one would be saying it now.

Losing breeds contempt, and the biggest name is going to draw the most flak. The Jets have too many real things to worry about to spend any time on such picayune commentary.