LOCALS IN PROS: Jones Gets Help from Future HoF Favre

As he prepares for his ninth season in the National Football League, New York Jets running back Thomas Jones will be experiencing a new luxury.

The Powell Valley High School graduate will be taking handoffs from a future Hall of Famer.

The Jets’ acquisition of Brett Favre earlier this month is sure to benefit Jones, who has never played with a quarterback the caliber of Favre.

Sure, Brad Johnson, Rex Grossman and Jake Plummer had their moments as Jones’ teammates, but none had the pedigree of his newest signal caller.

“He’s a great addition to the offense and a great addition to the team,” Jones told the New York Daily News.

Last season, Jones emerged as New York’s most reliable offensive threat. He rushed for 1,119 yards and also caught 28 passes for 217 yards. However, he rushed for just one TD.

This season, Jones should get more room to run as Favre spreads the field with his passing ability.

It also helps that this is his second season playing for Jets head coach Eric Mangini.

“The second year in a system is always a bit easier,” Jones told the Daily News. “I am familiar with my teammates, familiar with the offense. I am familiar with the organization. The guys they brought in are great guys. We all get along well, on and off the field. It’s just an easier transition the second year.”

Jones has seen limited action in the preseason, gaining 29 yards on 12 carries and catching two passes for six yards.

Jones has rushed for 6,503 yards and 35 touchdowns in a professional career that has included stints with Arizona, Tampa Bay, Chicago and the Jets.

Big Plays for Bradshaw
Despite the drama he dealt with in the offseason, former Graham High School star Ahmad Bradshaw is having an exceptional preseason performance for the New York Giants.

In three exhibition games for the defending Super Bowl champions, Bradshaw has done a little bit of everything.

He’s rushed for 60 yards on 18 carries and scored two touchdowns, including the Giants’ lone TD in a 10-7 loss to the New York Jets on Saturday. He’s also caught four passes for 24 yards, returned eight punts for a 7.6-yard average and returned four kickoffs for a 25-yard average.

Hamilton Hopeful
Justin Hamilton is making a strong case to make the Washington Redskins’ roster.

The former Clintwood High School and Virginia Tech standout has registered seven solo tackles in his three preseason games with the Redskins. His best performance came in a win over Buffalo, when he registered four stops and also forced a fumble from his safety position.

Hamilton last played in a NFL regular-season game in 2006, when he was with the Cleveland Browns.

“There were some bright spots,” Washington defensive coordinator Greg Blache told The Washington Times in regard to Hamilton. “He’s a young guy. His big thing is, he’s got to show us he can help us on special teams. The big test for him the next few weeks is that he can earn a spot on special teams. If he can, I think he’s shown us he can be a capable young backup safety that can develop over time.

“But for now the big challenge for him is going to be on special teams.”

More on Miller
Heath Miller (Honaker) is entering his fourth season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has emerged as one of the NFL’s best tight ends.

Last season was the best of his career, as he caught 47 passes for 566 yards and seven scores and continued to uphold his reputation as a top blocker.

However, he’s staying humble.

“I try to look at it as my total game,” Miller told the Washington (Pa.) Observer-Reporter. “It would be unrealistic of me to say that I want to catch 70 balls. I just know that there are certain things that I can’t control. The things I can control are the things I worry about.”

Miller has caught three passes for 30 yards in three preseason games.

Word on Witten
Tight end Jason Witten, a former star at Elizabethton High School and the University of Tennessee, has caught four passes for 35 yards in three exhibition games for the Dallas Cowboys.

Witten enters the 2008 season within reach of a milestone. He needs just 17 more receiving yards to reach the 4,000-yard mark for his career.

Suited for Seattle
Running back Julius Jones is enjoying a fresh start in Seattle. He’s back to wearing the number he had at Powell Valley High School (No. 22) and also is running with a purpose in his new Seahawks’ uniform.

Jones signed with Seattle in March after four disappointing seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

“The whole way everything went down in Dallas with me, I didn’t really leave there on the note I wanted to leave,” Jones told The Seattle Times. “And there are just some things that
I’ll never forget that happened to me there. And I’m going to play like that. And they’re going to be able to tell, and you guys will be able to tell, too.”

Jones has looked good in the preseason, rushing for 77 yards on 19 carries in three games. He also has two receptions for 12 yards.

Sensabaugh comes back strong
After missing most of last season with a shoulder injury, Gerald Sensabaugh is working his way back with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The former Dobyns-Bennett High School and East Tennessee State University star has registered eight tackles (seven solo) in three exhibition games for the Jags.
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