Foxborough - For the first time since his arrest on June 16th, Patriots cornerback Jack Jones spoke to the media, doing so after an in-stadium practice at Gillette Stadium Friday night.
The 2nd year pro has multiple charges against him pending, including two counts of possession of a concealed weapon in a secure area (airport) unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm, and possession of a large capacity feeding device.
Asked to give his version of events from Logan Airport that day, Jones declined to give any details.
“I mean, I can’t answer that question,” he said. “That’s a question for my lawyer.”
Prosecutors say that Jones brought a duffel bag to the airport that day, and tried to make his way through a TSA security checkpoint with a box inside that bag, one that allegedly contained both two guns with two loaded magazines and another two in the box.
Jones is next scheduled to appear in court on August 18th for a probably cause hearing. Given the seriousness of the charges, it makes sense that this could be a distraction. Not so, said Jones.
“When I get out here on this football field, it’s all ball,” he said. “I just come out here to play ball, give it my all and do what I’m suppose to do for the team.”
The 25-year old struggled with that assignment yesterday, getting into a verbal dustup with at least one teammate and, it appeared, cornerback coach Mike Pellegrino. That happened mid-practice and eventually led to Jones leaving the field. He returned 20 minutes later but didn’t participate the remainder of the session. Not much was revealed in speaking with the coaches earlier today.
“Just football,” Jones said of the incident. “Today is today. It’s in the past. Nothing bad. We good today.”
As for his future with the team, Jones deferred again, this time to Bill Belichick.
“That’s not my call. That’s up to coach. I just do what I’m suppose to do on the field, give it my all every day and hope it falls in the right place.”
Jones later mentioned "availability is the best ability" to another question about his status with the team, however, considering his short but rocky history here, that's no sure bet.