INDIANAPOLIS — Thomas Jones’ productive marriage with the Jets appears headed for divorce.
Speaking yesterday at the scouting combine, Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum made it sound as if Jones soon will join LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook on the list of prominent veteran running backs forced to the unemployment line this month.
“We are getting closer to a decision there, but nothing has been finalized yet,” Tannenbaum said. “All I can say is we were fortunate we traded for him three years ago.”
Releasing the 31-year-old Jones before the start of free agency on Friday would likely based more on money than his production.
Jones ran for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, but is due $5.8 million in bonus money and base salary next season. That’s considered too rich for the Jets — even in an uncapped year — in light of the emergence of Shonn Greene and the expected return of Leon Washington.
Tannenbaum met at the combine with Jones’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, about Jones’ willingness to accept a pay cut to return, but it does not appear they could reach an agreement.
Tannenbaum applauded Jones’ three-year stint with the Jets, during which he averaged a healthy 4.1 yards on 931 carries while scoring 28 TDs in 48 games.
“He has done a lot of great things for us on the field and even more off the field,” Tannenbaum said. “He’s really been our leader, a tireless worker. He’s a really good player and a better person.”
Tannenbaum also addressed several other topics:
* The Jets are set to make a high tender offer to restricted free agent Braylon Edwards that would keep him in New York, but Tannenbaum said this will be an important offseason for the drop-prone receiver.
Tannenbaum also made it clear that the Jets expect Edwards to participate in their offseason program, something Edwards wasn’t fond of doing when he was with the Browns.
“Have you ever been in Florham Park in March? It’s a wonderful place to be,” Tannenbaum said with a smile. “We have a lot to offer, a lot to do. It’s a good place to be.”
* Tannenbaum did not sound as if pending free agent kicker Jay Feely would be back after the Jets recently signed former Cowboys Pro Bowl pick Nick Folk.
* Tannenbaum said quarterback Mark Sanchez’s surgery on his left knee last week will not allow him to be 100 percent healthy during offseason workouts, but the Jets expect Sanchez to be at full strength well before the start of training camp.
* The Jets have not made tender decisions on the rest of their 11 restricted free agents, including Washington, quarterback Kellen Clemens and Wildcat ace Brad Smith.
“We’ve got one or two decisions we’re not quite final on,” Tannenbaum said.
Washington is progressing well in his recovery from the gruesome compound leg fracture he suffered last season. He is able to walk on the Jets’ underwater treadmill.
* The Jets still hope to work out long-term contract extensions with All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis, center Nick Mangold and linebacker David Harris.