When the Colorado Buffaloes take the field for their first offensive play against in-state rival Colorado State on Saturday, Tony Jones will be the man lined up behind QB Jordan Webb. That seemed like a logical conclusion to most who projected Colorado's depth chart this year, but don't tell that to the sophomore tailback from Paterson, N.J.
Tony Jones could have been complacent about his position as the starting running back for the Buffaloes this season. Instead, he has worked hard to become the best he can be and assure that no one lower on the depth chart can rise up and take his carries, according to Buffzone.com.
"He understands, and I always say this, I'm coaching the starter to be the starter and I'm coaching everybody else to take your job," CU offensive coordinator/running backs coach Eric Bieniemy said. "He didn't allow anybody to take his job."
The sophomore pushed himself in the weight room this off-season, as he is now listed at 190 pounds. That's a gain of at least 12 to 15 pounds over 2011. That extra muscle should come in handy with the larger workload he'll receive as the feature back.
Head coach Jon Embree should sleep well Friday night knowing the leader of his running game won't be wasting any effort on Saturday.
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