INDIANAPOLIS — 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.
CHARGERS CB LIKES JETS’ SCHEME
Jones, who ran for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns last year, is scheduled to get a $3 million roster bonus in March and $2.8 million in base salary next season. That’s long been considered too expensive for the Jets, even in what is expected to be an uncapped year, because of Leon Washington and the emergence of power back Shonn Greene.
* The NFL Players Association expressed a willingness yesterday to discuss blood testing for HGH when it meets with the league here this week for negotiations on a new labor agreement.
The union has been opposed to HGH blood testing, which it considers overly invasive, but is under pressure after a British rugby player recently became the first athlete to test positive for the performance-enhancing drug through blood work.
“We believe in and collectively bargained for a system that supports the testing of all banned substances,” said former Giants wideout Stacey Robinson, the union’s player development director.
* Texas QB Colt McCoy, who suffered a shoulder injury in the Longhorns’ BCS title-game loss to Alabama, reportedly has been advised by Dr. James Andrews to skip the workout and wait until his pro day.