LOCALS IN THE PROS: Thomas Jones set Jets team record last week

Thomas Jones broke his share of records during his time at Powell Valley High School and the University of Virginia.

Now, he’s done it in the National Football League.

The former Powell Valley star established the New York Jets’ single-game rushing record with a 210-yard outburst last Sunday in a 16-13 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Jones needed just 22 carries to surpass the franchise’s previous record of 203, set by Curtis Martin on Dec. 3, 2000 against Indianapolis. The highlight of his career day was a 71-yard touchdown run right before halftime.

However, Jones wasn’t exactly reflecting on his record performance.

“When you lose the game, the feeling that you have is frustration in not winning – that takes over any type of feeling of accomplishment,” Jones told Newsday. “I want to win, first of all. I will do everything I can in the game to help us win.”

Jones’ previous highest rushing total was a 173-yard masterpiece against the Seattle Seahawks in 2002, when he was playing for the Arizona Cardinals.

Now in his 10th NFL season, Jones just keeps getting stronger. His performance last week bolstered him into the fifth spot among NFL rushing leaders with 481 yards.

“I feel like a rookie,” Jones told Newsday. “I don’t feel like I’ve been in the league for 10 years. It’s a mental thing. … I can play another four or five years if I want to.”

The other Jones
While Thomas Jones was having a great performance last Sunday, his younger brother and fellow Powell Valley graduate, Julius Jones, was having one of his worst.
Julius Jones managed just five yards on five carries for the Seattle Seahawks in their 27-3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Jones has been limited to just 64 yards combined in the last three games.

Miller milestone
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller (Honaker) recorded his 200th career reception last week in a 27-14 win over the Cleveland Browns.
Miller has caught 34 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns this fall and is on pace to establish career highs in several categories.

Franklin and the 49ers
Science Hill High School graduate Aubrayo Franklin has been a key contributor to the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive line. He’s started at nose tackle in all five of San Francisco’s games and has been in on 13 tackles and tallied one sack.

Word on Witten
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (Elizabethton) has caught 28 passes for 259 yards and one score this season. He’s struggled the past two games to be a big part of the Dallas offense.

Big year for Bradshaw
Former Graham High School standout Ahmad Bradshaw is in the midst of a standout season for the New York Giants.
The third-year running back has already established career highs in carries (68), rushing yards (423), touchdowns (three), receptions (six) and receiving yards (74) in New York’s first six games.

ETSU alums
East Tennessee State University may no longer field a football team, but two of the school’s former football standouts will be on the field today when the Dallas Cowboys host the Atlanta Falcons.

Former Buccaneer Gerald Sensabaugh will be starting in the secondary for Dallas, while ex-ETSU linebacker Mike Smith is in his second season as Atlanta’s head coach.
Sensabaugh has missed the last two games with a thumb injury, but is scheduled to return today. Smith actually was an assistant coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars when
Sensabaugh played there.

“Gerald is one of the toughest guys I’ve coached,” Smith told the San Antonio Express-News. “My experience coaching Gerald, was you’re going to basically have to cut a limb off to keep him off the field.”

UFL update
Former ETSU defensive back Tony Tiller is currently playing for the New York Sentinels of the upstart United Football League. Tiller has recorded three tackles and one interception in two games.
He picked off a pass in New York’s 24-7 loss to the California Redwoods on Oct. 17.

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TJ’s Top Games
Some of the top performances of former Powell Valley High School star Thomas Jones’ NFL career:
nOct. 18, 2009: Jones sets a New York Jets’ single-game franchise record with 210 rushing yards on 22 carries and a touchdown in a 16-13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
nNov. 9, 2009: Jones reaches the end zone three times for the Jets and finishes with 149 yards in a 47-3 victory over the St. Louis Rams.
nJan. 21, 2007: Jones churns up 123 yards on 19 carries and scores twice, helping the Chicago Bears beat the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game and clinching a spot in the Super Bowl.
nSept. 15, 2002: Playing for the Arizona Cardinals, Jones tallies 173 yards on 24 carries and scores a touchdown in a victory over the Seattle Seahawks.