Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Jones has no regrets, says he didn’t quit on his team
DAVIE — Miami Dolphins safety Reshad Jones says he did not quit on his teammates, and does not have any regrets for not reentering last Sunday’s victory over the New York Jets.
Jones said Wednesday he is on the same page with Dolphins coach Adam Gase and defensive coordinator Matt Burke, and did discuss the matter with teammates this week.
“I’ve never been a quitter,” Jones said as the Dolphins prepare to face the Green Bay Packers (3-4-1) this Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
“I’ve been here for nine years, playing my a-- off for this team. I’ve never been a quitter and I never will. I’m going to continue doing what I need to do, is be one of the best in this league and help this team win football games.”
Jones also said the notion he pulled himself out of the game is not accurate.
Against the Jets, the Dolphins used a rotation of players in the secondary to get rookie defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick on the field for more plays.
While Jones and safety T.J. McDonald started at safety, Fitzpatrick started as a boundary corner, ahead of Bobby McCain, who filled Fitzpatrick’s role as a nickel cornerback.
During the fourth series of the game, the Dolphins rotated Fitzpatrick in at safety with McDonald, sending Jones to the sidelines.
Jones did not return, and was not in the Dolphins locker room following the game.
“Sunday is behind us, we’re focused on Green Bay right now,” Jones said. “The coaching staff, the players, we’re all on the same page, and that’s behind us.”
Gase said he met with Jones after the game and they are “on the same page” following their discussion. Gase also said if Jones is to be disciplined, it will be handled internally.
“We handled what we needed to handle and we’re moving on,” Gase said of Jones on Wednesday.
Fitzpatrick said he did not have any conversations with Jones about the manner.
“I think anybody would be upset they came out the game, but can’t say too much about it,” Fitzpatrick said on Wednesday.
Jones, Gase and the Dolphins insist on keeping the Jones issue in-house.
McDonald says the Dolphins have moved past the matter surrounding Jones.
“We know what we got in our room. We understand what’s going on,” McDonald said. “We’re talking about a guy that’s been [in] the league for a long time that has gone to war with us for a while.”
Jones’ credentials were not lost on him, either.
He’s a two Pro Bowl selection, with five defensive touchdowns that are second-most in Dolphins history.
Jones has 35 tackles, five pass deflections and two interceptions in seven of the nine Dolphins games he has played this season.
“I’ve been a nine-year pro. I’ve been one of the best safeties in the league for a long time. And I’m going to continue to fight and play my a-- off for this team,” Jones said.