Top Pick Jones Finally Arrives

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. —  As Marvin Jones walked to the Jets’ practice field Monday for his first team workout, he was greeted by a vocal spectator from behind a nearby chain-link fence.

“Welcome to New York, Marvin,” the fan yelled, drawing a smile and a wave from the ballyhooed rookie.

The reception from the fan was warmer than the public welcome Jones received from Bruce Coslet, who let it be known that the talented middle linebacker won’t receive any silver-spoon treatment.

“Everybody assumes that this Marvelous Marvin Jones, from wherever the hell he’s from, is just going to come in and take over,” the Jets’ coach said in a polite, but firm tone.

“I don’t care how high he was drafted or what school he’s from,” Coslet said. “He’s not coming in here and trying to beat out chopped liver. Kyle Clifton is a damn good football player, and a savvy, wisened veteran. That’s not going to be an easy task.”

Coslet sounded like a platoon leader welcoming a new recruit to basic training. On a team with established veterans such as Boomer Esiason, Ronnie Lott and Leonard Marshall, Coslet isn’t about to go ga-ga over a 21-year-old who has yet to play a down in the NFL.

Jones’ All-America career at Florida State means nothing now.

The Butkus Award means nothing.

The Lombardi Award means nothing.

His draft position -- fourth overall -- means nothing.

Jones is a rookie now, trying to catch up after a two-week contract dispute. Instead of a red-carpet reception, Jones was read the facts of rookie life.

“Everyone was pretty much waiting for me to get here, so they could run me to death,” said the Jets’ first-round pick, who signed a five-year, $5,988,000 contract four days ago.

Jones has been quite busy since arriving last Friday. He accompanied the team to Pittsburgh, then spent Sunday -- an off day for the players -- working out at Weeb Ewbank Hall. He worked with strength coach Greg Mackrides, and watched an hour of tape with linebackers coach Foge Fazio.

“Foge is going to pull overtime to try to catch him up as fast as we can,” Coslet said. “He’s going to get a lot of practice snaps. That’s our plan. We’re going to see how fast he can catch up.”

Jones debuted Monday afternoon. He ran with the second-team defense, calling the signals from his middle linebacker spot.

Jones will make his preseason debut Friday night against the Eagles at Giants Stadium. He figures to play about half the game, working behind Clifton.

The big question: When will he start? Because of the nature of the position -- he’d be responsible for running the defense -- the organization doesn’t expect Jones to start by opening day.

But never say never. If Jones is a world-beater in the preseason, he could start soon. In that case, the Jets would run a scaled-down defense to make the transition easier for him.