Team

5’9” • 185 lbs. • Born: 11.3.80 • Exp. (NFL/Titans): 6/1 • UFA (Car) – 2009 • Tennessee

2008 GP/GS: 16/0 (Playoffs 1/0) • Career GP/GS: 59/0 (Playoffs 2/0) • Wallingford, Pa.

PRO: Mark Jones was signed by the Titans as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason to serve as a dual return specialist and to provide depth at wide receiver. The 5-9, 185-pounder has appeared in 59 career games over five NFL seasons and has returned 156 career punts for 1,460 yards (9.4 avg.) and 58 career kickoffs for 1,405 yards (24.2 avg.). In 2008, he appeared in all 16 games for the Carolina Panthers and ranked seventh in the NFL with a 11.4-yard punt return average. Prior to arriving in Carolina, Jones spent three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, appearing in 29 games. The University of Tennessee product was originally selected by Tampa Bay in the seventh round (206th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft but was waived following training camp. Jones was claimed by the N.Y. Giants and served as the team’s primary punt returner for 14 games as a rookie in 2004.

TITANS TIDBITS:

• Jones was a versatile player during his time at the University of Tennessee. He saw action on both offense and defense, as well as a return specialist on special teams. As a wide receiver, he collected 36 catches for 556 yards and five touchdowns. At safety, he tallied 116 tackles, four interceptions, 10 passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Jones also returned 46 punts for 543 yards (11.8 avg.) and one score, and four kickoffs for 138 yards and an additional score.

• Jones is an avid golfer. He played the Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass and earned a par on the 17th hole island green.

• Jones would like to coach high school football and do work in the ministry following his playing career.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

2008 (16/0, 1/0 -- Carolina): Signed by Carolina as a free agent on Sept. 1 after spending training camp with the San Diego Chargers. Appeared in all 16 regular season games and one postseason contest primarily as a return specialist. Ranked seventh in the NFL in punt returns with an average of 11.4 yards per return. His 24.0-yard kickoff return average was the best by a Panthers player since 2001. Set a career high with his 123 yards on seven punt returns including a career-high 55-yard return at Oakland (11/9). Also, set a career mark with his 59-yard kickoff return against the Raiders.

• At Minnesota (9/21), contributed on special teams returning five punts for 50 yards with a long of 19 for an average of 10.0. Also posted on tackle on special teams coverage units.

• Against Kansas City (10/5), saw action as a reserve wide receiver after D.J. Hackett left the game with a knee injury. Collected his first career reception on a 19-yard pass from quarterback Jake Delhomme in the first quarter. Contributed on special teams and averaged 13.6 yards on five punt returns with a long of 26 yards and two fair catches.

• At Tampa Bay (10/12), played as a wide receiver and on special teams as the club’s primary punt returner and kickoff returner. Caught one pass for 13 yards and returned four kickoffs for 85 yards for an average of 21.3 yards and a long of 28.

• At Oakland (11/9), set a new career high with 123 yards on seven punt returns, including a career-long 55 yard return. His performance ranks second in franchise history for punt return yards in one game. Set a new career-long with a 59-yard kickoff return.

• At Green Bay (11/30), played on special teams and returned four kickoffs for 155 yards for an average of 38.8 yards per return. Made a 45-yard kickoff return to set up Carolina’s game-winning drive with under two minutes remaining.

• Against Arizona (1/10), played on special teams and returned five kickoffs for 151 yards including a 31-yard return on the divisional playoff game’s opening kickoff to spark a Panthers’ scoring drive.

2007 (6/0 – Tampa Bay): Signed with Tampa Bay prior to second game of season. Appeared in six games and returned 10 kickoffs for 286 yards (28.6 avg.) and 12 punts for 143 yards (11.9 avg.) Injured his knee against Detroit (10/21) and was placed on injured reserve Oct. 24.

• Against St. Louis (9/23), collected a then career-long 35-yard punt return.

2006 (7/0 – Tampa Bay): Waived by the Buccaneers Nov. 13, before being re-signed by the team on Dec. 5. Appeared in seven games as a punt return specialist and brought back 20 punts for 155 yards (7.8 avg.).

• Against Chicago (12/17), returned career-high seven punts.

2005 (16/0, 1/0 – Tampa Bay): Saw action in all 16 games and led NFL with 51 punt returns for 492 yards and 9.6 yards per return average. Posted the NFL’s seventh-highest yards per return average.

• At Carolina (12/11), averaged season-high 16.3 yards per return and notched a season-long 31-yard return against Panthers helped set up field goal on final play of first half.

• At Atlanta (12/24), executed a 28-yard punt return in overtime against the Falcons to set up Matt Bryant’s game-winning 41-yard field goal.

• Against Washington (1/7), played in his first playoff game, returning four punts for 37 yards in a NFC Wild Card Playoff game.

2004 (14/0 – N.Y. Giants): Claimed off waivers by the Giants after spending training camp with Tampa Bay and being released on Sept. 5. Appeared in 14 games as a rookie as returned 34 punts for 227 yards and two kickoffs for 37 yards. Missed the last two games of the season because of an injury.

• Against Chicago (11/7), posted a season-long 29-yard punt return to set up Giants’ fourth-quarter touchdown.

COLLEGE:

• Spent four seasons (2000-03) at the University of Tennessee where he saw action as a wide receiver, safety and return specialist.

• Finished his career with 36 catches for 556 yards and five touchdowns. As a safety, tallied 116 tackles, four interceptions, 10 passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Also returned 46 punts for 543 yards (11.8 avg.) and one score, and four kickoffs for 138 yards and additional score.

• As a senior, ranked third in nation, averaging 15.7 yards per punt return. Named SEC Special Teams Player of Week after Nov. 22 game against Vanderbilt when he recorded 216 all-purpose yards against Commodores, including 58-yard punt return for touchdown. He also posted a 51-yard interception return to set up another score.

• Caught school-record 90-yard touchdown pass against Georgia, Oct. 11, 2003.

• Returned a kickoff 82 yards for touchdown against Alabama, Oct. 26, 2002.

• Majored in psychology.

PERSONAL:

• Married to Kati and the couple splits time between Wallingford, Pa., and Nashville.

• In 1999, was named Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and USA Today Pennsylvania Player of Year as senior wide receiver and defensive back at Strath Haven High School (Wallingford, Pa.).

• Also lettered in track and was named all-state after he helped his team post 15-0 record.

• List of favorites: (movie) “Man on Fire”; (TV show) “Grey’s Anatomy”; (music) Gospel; (food) chicken parmesan; (vacation spot) Hawaii; (video game) Call of Duty and (book) “Point Man” by Steve Farrar.