NEW YORK--New York Jets running back Thomas Jones, unhappy with his contract, has decided to skip the team’s voluntary workouts and may even refuse to report to mandatory minicamp in June. Jones, who is currently in the midst of a 4-year, $20 million contract, apparently doesn’t realize that running backs are interchangeable.
      “You know I just want what’s coming to me,” Jones told the New York Post today. “I think I had a really good season last year and was a big part of this offense. Only me, Leon Washington, Ronnie Brown, Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson, Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, Jamal Lewis, Julius Jones, Matt Forte, Kevin Smith, Darren Sproles, Maurice Jones-Drew, Willie Parker, LenDale White, Chris Johnson, Selmon Young, Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, Larry Johnson, Joseph Addai, Steve Slaton, and a few dozen others are capable of putting up the kind of numbers I put up last year, and I expect to be paid accordingly.”
       Jones feels he has plenty of leverage since he was the team’s leading rusher last year.
       “I think I’m negotiating from a position of strength,” said Jones. “Anytime you’re the leading rusher on the team people are going to give in to your demands. Either that or I've just misjudged this whole situation and know absolutely nothing about the financial realities for NFL running backs.”
       If Jones’ absence extends into minicamp, the Jets could consider picking up a running back in the draft and plugging him into Jones’ spot.
      “It's unfortunate that Thomas is unhappy with his contract, but that happens from time to time,” said Jets head coach Rex Ryan. “The good thing is that running backs are basically interchangeable and we can always find someone else to plug in there and take his place. Maybe Knowshon Moreno or Chris Wells, or better yet, some nobody we grab in the 7th round who will work for next to nothing.”