Ohio State vs. Michigan past games
.JPG)
Bengals fall to Steelers
Most Wanted (11/20/08)
Bengals' Jones to replace Thurman at middle linebacker
COMMENT: Who should play middle linebacker for the Bengals?
Thursday, May 22, 2008
CINCINNATI — From the NFL's scrap heap to the heart of the Bengals' defense, Dhani Jones has come a long way in nine months.
The ninth-year veteran is the club's new middle linebacker in the wake of Odell Thurman's release.
Extras
Signed on Sept. 19, 2007, after being dumped by New Orleans, Jones, who turned 30 in February, made such an impact that the Bengals signed him to a three-year contract this offseason. Jones had 111 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack in 14 games with nine starts.
"It meant a lot to me that they had the confidence in me that I could do what I did last year, and do more," Jones said after a practice session at Paul Brown Stadium on Wednesday, May 21. "Some teams always look at a certain age as being a low point. But you don't peak as a man until you turn 30 or older, so I appreciate the confidence, and I admire the Bengals ... and I thank them."
After countless hours of film study, new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer determined Jones, who made all his starts at outside linebacker in 2007, fit right smack dab in the middle.
"I didn't know Dhani Jones from anybody when I first came in here," Zimmer said. "He's done a really good job of being a leader, communicating, telling guys where to line up and how to get going. He takes charge out there.
"That's definitely settling, especially when you're installing a new defense. He still makes mistakes, but he understands it a little bit better than some of the other guys. So when everybody else is learning, having one fairly calm guy in there helps a lot."
Jones has numerous interests outside football. He played rugby for Blackheath in a match against Launceston while on assignment in London for the Travel Channel in February. He owns Five Star Ties, a New York-based company specializing in bow ties. He rides his bike to the stadium.
"Dhani comes into the building ready to work every day," fellow linebacker Darryl Blackstock said. "We know what we're going to get out of him. He's taking control. We expect him to know what he's talking about, and he expects us to be in the right position at all times. Nobody's a better leader on defense right now."
