Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, December 18, 2008

Seahawks-Jets: Tale of two brothers

Running back Thomas Jones is thriving with the Jets, while Seahawks running back Julius Jones has had a frustrating season in Seattle.

By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer

 RENTON -- Although he holds a 2-0 head-to-head record against his older brother's teams during their concurrent NFL careers, Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones won't be doing any trash-talking this week.

While Julius Jones' Seahawks will host Thomas Jones' New York Jets on Sunday, the younger Jones is in no mood to brag. After all, he's mired in one of the least memorable seasons of his career, while brother Thomas is thriving in his second season with the Jets.

"Of course, it sucks that our record's not very good at all," Julius Jones said on Wednesday, referring to the Seahawks' 3-11 record. "But I'm proud of him. This is the best year he's had. They gave him the opportunity to be the back that he has been, and I'm proud of him."

Thomas Jones is leading the AFC in both rushing (1,222 yards) and touchdowns (15) while playing for a playoff contender. Julius Jones is not only stuck on a struggling team, but he's also seen his playing time diminish in recent weeks. Over the past five weeks, Jones has carried the ball a total of 27 times for 95 yards.

"I think he's had really good, strong moments," coach Mike Holmgren said, referring to Jones's two 100-yard rushing games in September. "And then he's had some tough moments.

"And I think some of that is not his problem. It's how he's been used. It's kind of the situation we have. I think he's been a little frustrated."

Jones has said that he doesn't want to make any waves by complaining about playing time, so on Wednesday he was more interested in talking about his brother's success than his own lack of it.

"I can't say enough about him," Julius Jones said of Thomas Jones, a ninth-year player who has played for four NFL teams. "He's gone through a lot of (negative stuff) in his career. Teams have drafted a lot of guys, stuff like that. I'm glad he's finally in position to prove he's the back that everybody thought he was."

Julius Jones, who turned 27 in August, is going through some of his own professional turmoil these days. The Cowboys gave up on him after a 588-yard season in 2007, and now he's got just 692 rushing yards for the Seahawks this year.

He said his brother has used personal history to keep spirits up.

"You can't keep a good back down," Jones said Wednesday. "No matter what happens, you can't hide talent. That's what he always told me."

Thomas Jones hasn't hid his talent this year. And there might be one player on the Seahawks' sideline who is privately rooting for him Sunday afternoon.

"He'll make a big run, and you've got to look around and make sure no one's looking before you smile," Julius Jones said. "You can't be too blatant."

Replacing a legend: In late September 2007, following a month of inactivity that came as a result of the Seahawks releasing him, 23-year-old offensive lineman Kyle Williams was ready to go on tour.

The rookie from USC had an inkling that his NFL career might not get off the ground, so he called a family friend and made plans to fly from his Dallas home to Las Vegas, where he would help manage Hootie and the Blowfish on a reunion tour.

As Williams prepared for his flight, the telephone rang. The Seahawks wanted him back, so he flew to Seattle, joined the team's practice squad, and put his career as a tour manager on hold.

That decision certainly has worked out. Williams will get his first NFL start this Sunday, when he's expected to fill in for injured starters Walter Jones and Sean Locklear at left tackle.

"I don't think anybody could've expected this situation, what's happened this year," he said, referring to the Seahawks' never-ending spate of injuries. "It is what it is, and I'll make the best of it."

Filling in for Jones, Williams said, will be quite a chore.

"I've got some big shoes to fill," he said. "That's Walter Jones."

Deserving Pro Bowler? Speaking of Walter Jones, some Seahawks coaches and players took issue with the insinuation that the 34-year-old left tackle got voted into his ninth Pro Bowl purely on reputation.

"Walt's out there on one leg, still stopping guys," defensive tackle Rocky Bernard said, referring to a knee injury that hobbled Jones for several weeks before he finally landed on injured reserve Monday. "So I don't think he got in just because of his name. A healthy Walter Jones is one of the best linemen in football history."

Holmgren said that Jones was deserving of the honor -- this year and in previous years.

"In Walter's case, it's not the this-is-your-last-year-we're-going-to-send-you-again," Holmgren said Wednesday, one day after Jones was named as Seattle's lone Pro Bowl representative. "That's not it. That happens, but that's not it.

"Walter can still play, and you'll watch next year. He'll be fine. He'll be good next year, and I think players that played against him understand that."

Holmgren's "itch": Holmgren continues to be pretty open about his desire to get back into the league at some point.

On Wednesday, when asked about his previous tenure as a coach and general manager, he said: "That little itch I can't scratch; it's still there."

Asked whether his future plans might not include football, Holmgren responded: "No. If anything, that itch gets a little itchier."

Quick slants: Holmgren described the playing status of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, linebacker Leroy Hill and Locklear as "grim, grim and grim," adding that none of them are expected to play Sunday against the Jets. All three players sat out Wednesday's practice while resting injuries. ... Among the Jets who were limited in practice on Wednesday were five starters: linebacker Eric Barton (knee), wide receiver Laveranues Coles (thigh), linebacker David Harris (groin), nose tackle Kris Jenkins (hip) and linebacker Bryan Thomas (shoulder).
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