The Jets and New Jersey are in serious talks about a state scratch-off lottery game featuring the team's logo. The game would be featured during the 2009 season. The Jets, who had no comment, have also been negotiating with New York and Connecticut about similar games.

Thomas Jones returned to the Jets on Thursday after boycotting voluntary workouts while in a contract dispute. "He's a stud, man," Mark Sanchez said Thursday. "I asked the guys before and they said, 'You'll know him when you see him.' I came in and he's just massive, rocked-up, chiseled. It's huge to have a back like that, that demands that kind of respect in your running game." Jones rejoined his teammates Wednesday after boycotting voluntary workouts while in a contract dispute. Whether an agreement was in place for a new deal was uncertain because last season's AFC rushing leader stiff-armed the media Thursday after practice. He fittingly remained in the weight room during the hour of media availability in the locker room. "He reminds me of myself the way he's built and all that kind of stuff," coach Rex Ryan said, laughing. "But it's great to see him, it really is. I've always respected the kind of player he is and all that, and just to see him up close, that wow, this guy, he really is built like that. ... He told me he's happy to be here, and I told him I'm certainly happy that he's here. That's exciting to have him back here." Added right tackle Damien Woody: "I said, 'Welcome back, Eddie George,' because he's so big. He's been down in South Beach pumping a whole bunch of iron."

Kerry Rhodes of the New York Jets has declined comment on an investigation that a woman was raped at his New Jersey home. Rhodes is not a suspect in the case. Rhodes was repeatedly questioned about the matter Thursday. He spoke for nearly three minutes but offered no new details. This was the first time he faced the media since the case came to light. According to police, a Canadian tourist said she met Rhodes and another man at a Manhattan nightclub before being taken to the player's town house in Morristown, N.J.

Running back Thomas Jones rejoined the Jets on Wednesday after boycotting the team's voluntary workouts. Jones missed the team's previous six workouts due to a contract dispute. The Pro Bowler is entering the third year of a four-year, $20 million deal, which was heavily front-loaded. He's scheduled to make only $900,000 in base salary this season.

New Jersey police are investigating a woman's claim that she was raped at the home of Jets safety Kerry Rhodes, who is not a suspect. She claims that she met Rhodes and another man at a Manhattan nightclub before being taken to the player's home in Morristown, New Jersey. "I briefly talked with police on Saturday regarding an incident that allegedly took place at my home. The police confirmed to me that I am not the subject of this allegation," Rhodes said in a statement.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan believes that defensive end Vernon Gholston will be a major contributor for the club this fall. "I think he'll have to earn his role no matter what it is," Ryan said, according to ESPN. "Whether he is a starter? Is he this? Is he that? "I know one thing: He is going to be a major contributor for us." He was highly touted as a rookie out of Ohio State, and the Jets gave him a five-year contract with $21 million in guarantees. However, Gholston finished 2008 with one solo tackle. "I am really excited about Vernon," Ryan said. "I think he is where I thought he would be right now in this stage. He is working and getting better every day."

Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez braced for some ridicule in the wake of a GQ photo shoot that hit newsstands earlier this week. "I sure lobbed one up for them to hit it right out of the park," Sanchez told the Associated Press. "It was good. They had some good pictures up in the locker room. It was funny. They called me David Hasselhoff and all that." The photo shoot took place roughly two months ago, and Sanchez brushed aside the perception that he's spreading himself too thin. "I understand that," Sanchez said. "It was one of those things where you're getting ready to get drafted and it's almost like a bucket list kind of deal, like you're going to do a photo shoot with a supermodel? Are you kidding me? It's one of those things where you've got to."

Jets running back Thomas Jones has decided to end his holdout, and will report to camp next week. It is not known what prompted Jones' change of heart. Agent Drew Rosenhaus said he's having "some discussions with the team. (Jones) is not unhappy, there is no acrimony and who knows? He may even be showing up in the near future. I don't think this situation is as bad as people are making it out to be, and we're hopeful he will be back in the fold and there won't be any issues." Although he will report, Jones hasn't retracted his demand for a new contract. He has two years left on a four-year, $20 million deal.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made contact with free agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress to gauge his offseason progress, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The conversation was explained as exploratory and that the call focused mainly on Burress' well-being. The Buccaneers declined to comment when reached by phone Thursday. Burress' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said two teams have called to express interest in Burress, but in an interview with NFL.com this week at the Spring Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he declined to disclose the teams. The New York Jets are reportedly the other team that has inquired about the former Super Bowl MVP.

Mark Sanchez is now dating Hilary Rhoda, the Estee Lauder model who posed with him in a bikini for a racy spread in the new GQ, according to Page Six. "They met on the shoot three months ago and started dating. There was instant chemistry," says a source. Adds another: "Everyone in her crew is buzzing about their relationship."