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BENGALS
Jones apologizes for letting temper flare
Left tackle blasted coaching staff after preseason finale against Colts, says he's sorry for distracting the team.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Levi Jones apologized Monday for comments made during his Friday night flare-up that threatened to divide the team, especially the offensive line.
He said it's time to focus on the opener and concentrate on team unity no matter who starts against the Baltimore Ravens.
Extras
"A lot was said. Tempers flared," Jones said. "I want to apologize for any distraction I may have caused to the team. That definitely wasn't the intent nor what I was trying to do."
Jones erupted after the preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts, blasting the coaching staff for not giving him enough snaps in practice to warrant him playing deep into the game with the third string.
Head coach Marvin Lewis scolded Jones on Saturday, saying, "It's not about you, Levi. It's about the team."
Jones' agent, Kenny Zuckerman, then got involved, saying his client doesn't want to be a backup. Jones certainly isn't getting paid like one. He's in the second year of a six-year, $40 million extension through 2011.
"I was obviously paid a lot of money to do a job and that's all I was trying to say," Jones said. "All I want is to be put in the best situation to do that job, and that I'm trying to get prepared to handle that situation."
Jones, who has endured two arthroscopic left-knee surgeries since October, returned to practice two weeks ago after spending all of training camp rehabbing.
Andrew Whitworth has filled in admirably during Jones' absence. Now that Jones is healthy, he's eager to get his starting job back. Lewis won't say who will start against the Ravens.
"We'll just wait until Monday night and see what goes on," Jones said. "We've got a lot more things to worry about than that situation. We're all here to win and if there's someone — other than one of the starters — that can make the team better, that's what they're going to do.
"They're going to go with what's best for the position."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.
