Mark Jones Wants Another Chance

Staff Report September 2, 2009

Before Saturday's game at Cleveland, Mark Jones said he had learned during his early days in the league not to worry about how a hamstring injury might affect his position on the Titans roster.

Tuesday, Jones admitted he did press Saturday night as he bobbled two punts and fumbled another in his first pre-season work.

"I think I was a little too anxious to get out there and try to show something," Jones said. "It was just hard to swallow."

Jones did not practice Tuesday after going down on the game's final kickoff Saturday with what appeared to be a shoulder stinger. Jones said tests revealed no issues and he expects to be available Thursday. That game, Jones said, will be his chance to show the coaching staff the real Mark Jones.

"That wasn't me, that's not what I'm about, putting the ball on the ground," Jones said. "I'm just going to go out there, be patient with it, not try to force anything, and play the way I know how to play."

Jones has more than 200 kickoff and punt returns in his five previous NFL season. Whether a performance Thursday night can change the Titans mind about Jones this season remains to be seen.

"What I did last year was in the past, what they're going off of is what I do this year," Jones said. "All they saw is what I did last week so I need to put together a good game."

The wind played a factor in Jones' struggles Saturday night as 10-20 mph winds blew consistently across Cleveland Browns Stadium. Jones said he hoped for a calmer night Thursday.

"Hopefully...for us to go out there and put something together," Jones said.