Thomas Jones launches record label

by | Jul 30, 2008 | Business of Football, Fantasy Football

New York Jets running back Thomas Jones has launched a new, independent record label called Outta Pocket Entertainment.

Jones, who told, well, he told someone that he listens to all different varieties of music, wants the label to tackle all the genres as well. The company has signed its first act, pop/R&B singer Myko.

“We met three years ago in Miami and I knew instantly that I wanted to invest time and finances into his singing career,” Jones told AllHeadlineNews.com. “He has great charisma, personality, and is a natural singer and songwriter.”

AllHeadlineNews.com cites an interview with Jones in Allhiphop.com where the back says, “I want to put out classic music that individuals will appreciate for years to come.”

Good for Jones. After his career got off to a slow start he kept his mouth shut, worked hard and managed to make good out of his career, and is now amidst a three-year run of 1,100-plus yard rushing seasons.

I don’t have the foggiest idea what Jones’ music tastes are or whether or not I’ll ever buy an album put out under his label. But it’s nice to hear stories of athletes with plans for their lives beyond their sport of choice. Don’t count Jones out on the field this year either.

The Jets overspent on some free agents this offseason, but in doing so they added aging-but-still-good guard Alan Faneca and tackle Damien Woody to an offensive line that was, well, fairly offensive at times last season. They also added fullback Tony Richardson who is close to done, but still should be able to open a hole or two for Jones.

Jones still managed 1,119 yards behind that group last year. He should put up at least similar yardage this year and improve greatly on his single touchdown effort. He may not have sleeper written all over him, but it scribbled in erasable ink somewhere.

McCarthy didn’t like Rodgers in San Fran?

by | Jul 30, 2008 | NFL Random Thoughts

We here at Zoneblitz are huge fans of Pro Football Weekly. It’s 30 issues annually are among our favorite NFL fodder and it’s because the Arkushes and the rest of its writers get people to tell them things that other reporters either don’t get or won’t write.

In the August issue’s Audibles section PFW quotes an anonymous NFL figure saying that when he was in San Francisco, Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy was the leading proponent for drafting Alex Smith ahead of Aaron Rodgers because he didn’t think his current quarterback was a leader.

McCarthy thought Rodgers “was too ‘into himself,” according to the source, who speculated that was why old-timer Brett Favre never warmed up to him.

People change and three years of maturity gained while sitting on the bench has likely left Rodgers  in a better spot than Smith. He’s probably more ready to play than Smith was when forced to take the helm almost immediately – in fact he could very well become the poster child for why a rookie quarterback should sit for a year or three before being thrust into the starting job.

But Rodgers’ statements to Sports Illustrated about how Packers fans should “Get on board or shut the hell up” show he’s still got a ways to go in the maturity department. That’s not to say he’s going to be  a bad quarterback or a good one. But those words coupled with the thoughts of the PFW source definitely lend an eye into why Rodgers dropped on draft day.

Packers also dealing with “livid” Grant

by | Jul 28, 2008 | NFL News

While the Brett Favre headlines have dominated the Green Bay Packers headlines the last few weeks, regular Zoneblitz reader “The Gun” reminded us that the team is also dealing with another potential hornet’s nest in the holdout of exclusive rights free agent running back Ryan Grant.

Grant, according to the La Crosse Tribune, is “livid” over the Packers’ contract offer that reportedly included only $1.75 million in guaranteed money for a six-year contract.

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Jordan to New England hurts Maroney’s status

by | Jul 27, 2008 | Fantasy Football

Does it seem to anyone else that New England coach Bill Belichick just doesn’t trust Laurence Maroney?

During the 2007 season’s last seven games and the playoffs, Maroney seemed to come into his own. He had four 100 yard rushing games the second half of the season and generally established himself as a solid threat, as long as two factors are in play: he has to be healthy and Belichick has to want to run the ball.

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