November 2412009 The Jibsheet > SPORTS 9
12-year veteran Jones goes on IR, career in jeopardy
Walter Jones may have taken his last snap as an NFL.player. h°t° courtesy of Associated P ....
Toan Nyugen
STUDENT REPORTER
Walter Jones, who plays for the
Seahawks and is number 71, was placed on
the injured reserve list on Oct. 28, 2009,
which ended his season.
Jones began the season with a knee
injury that he suffered last year in the
Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas
Cowboys. Despite two surgeries, Jones is
still feeling the pain, which will cause him
to miss the rest of the season.
Jones was drafted in 1997 as the sixth
overall pick in the NFL draft and the second
offensive tackle chosen. He has always been
the six foot five, 265-pound "Mr. Reliable"
for the Seahawks ever since he entered the
league. He is a nine-time All-Pro and was
recognized by John Madden in 2004 as the
best player in the NFL. "Sporting News"
chose him as the top player in the NFL
in 2006. Jones played 10 straight seasons
before missing a game and has played 180
total games in his 13-year career.
Jones' absence is surely felt on the
• field as the Seahawks are currently 3-6 and
are ranked twenty-seventh in the run. The
• Hawks have also allowed 23 sacks (tied
for tenth highest) and 47 quarterback hits
(tied for eleventh highest). Compared to
the 2005 season, where they averaged 4.7
yards a run (third in the NFL) and allowed
only 27 sacks for the entire year.
But these unfortunate circumstances
are hardest on Jones. "It's a tough situation
because I've always been there. I've
always been that guy when it was time to
play football. I've always been there," he
said. when asked about his recent injury.
Jones is on the wrong side of 30 and
there has been talk of drafting a tackle to
replace Jones this year. Russell Okung,
from Oklahoma State and Bruce Campbell,
from Maryland, are the highest ranked
tackles entering this year's draft and are
certainly an option that the Seahawks
should consider.
At this point, it seems unlikely ithat
the man filling in for.Jones now, Sean
Locklear, can be a consistent replacement
at the position. Locklear has had consistant
injury issues since arriving in Seattle,
forcing the team to play backups at one of
the most important positions in football.
Jones is not considering retirement
and head coach, Jim Mora, doesn't plan on
letting him go.
Jones will be turning 36 in January
and has voiced that he will continue to play.
"My next step is to keep working and try to
get back. I still want to play this game. I
still have the love," he said.
Mora has not given up on Jones either.
At the conference releasing the news about
Jones, Mora said,"It is too early for a career
eulogy, but the excellence that is Walter is
probably unparalleled at that position in
the history of the game. This guy has done
everything that you can do to be a great
player, year in and year out." Seahawk fans
should not hang up their Jones jerseys yet
because all signs are pointing to the return
of Mr Reliable next season.
Jones is loved by the fans of Seattle,
who hope for a speedy recovery. Jones'
heart and passion for the game is an
inspiration for all of his teammates and
should be for upcoming athletes.
SPORTS@THEJIBSHEET.COM
Managing college expenses
doesn't have to be difficult
Let us help you find ways to lighten your financial load
When it comes to managing your college finances, Wells Fargo has
all kinds of tools to help you make smart decisions. Whether you're
planning for books and tuition or budgeting for a semesters worth
of pizza, learning how to manage your money and use it wisely is
simple. And it starts with College Combo? Check
it out online at wellsfargo.eom/baekstage
Bellevue Main at Civiea • 225 108tI- Ave.NE. 425-462-5517
Evergreen Village • 1915 140th Ave. NE Suite D1A- 425-649-3770
Overlake Park. 2201 156th Ave. NE. 425-401-0076
Yaetoria. 4020 Factoria Blvd. SE- 425-641-4573
(9 2009 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
All riglats reserved. Member FDIC.
(124551_14005)
Together we'll go far
• . . . , •
Experience premium
. Touff Screen
- QWR Keyboard
- Stereo Bluetooth
. VZ NavigatorSM
- 3.2 MP Camera
Bellevue
Kirkland
With new 2yr activation.
Edmonds
Seattle I
Seattle II
Lakewood ederal
Activation fee/line: $35 ($25 for secondary Family SharePlan lines w/ 2 yr Agmts). IMPORTANT CONSUMER
INFORMATION: Subject to Customer Agmt, Calling Plan, rebate form & credit approval. Up to $175 early termination
fee & other charges. Device eapabiities: Add'l charges & conditions apply. Offers & coverage, varying by service, not
available ever)where. While supplies last. Shipping charges may apply. Limited time offer. Rebate debit card takes up to
6 wks & expires in 12 months. See verizonwireless.con'dBluetooth for details. Subject to Customer Agmt & Calling Plan.
VZ Navigator-capable phone, monthly subscription, & download charges req'd for use;; accuracy & completeness of info
is not guaranteed; info about location of device will be used to deliver service; coverage not available everywhere. Coverage
maps at verizonwireless.eom. © 2009 Verizon Wireless. © 2008 Research In Motion Limited. All rights reserved.
BlackBerryCg, RIM®, Research In Motion®, SureType and related trademarks, names and loges are the property of
Research In Motion Limited and are registered and'or used in the U.S. and countries around the world.
