Thomas Jones was critical of quarterback Brett Favre in a radio interview on New Yorks Hot 97 FM on Tuesday. He prefaced the comments by saying he was not blaming Favre for the Jets collapse, but added: The other day, the three interceptions really hurt us. Thats just reality.

When somebodys not playing well, you need to come out of the game, Jones said. Youre jeopardizing the whole teams efforts because youre having a bad day. To me, thats not fair to everybody else. I mean, youre not the only one on the team.

The Jets owner, Woody Johnson, said Monday that he wanted Favre to return to the Jets, but a team spokesman stressed that the new coach would have significant input into the decision.

"There was a lot of resentment in the room about him," a Jets player told Newsday yesterday. He requested anonymity because team owner Woody Johnson has stated publicly that Favre is welcome to return next season if he wants to. (Favre reportedly will take until the end of February to decide about returning.)

The 39-year-old quarterback is not as welcome with his teammates, according to this veteran. After the Jets traded for Favre Aug. 6, the sure Hall of Famer made no effort to ingratiate himself with the already assembled team, the veteran said. He said Favre spent most of his down time at the practice facility in an office specially designated for him near the equipment room, not with teammates in the locker room, even after the media departed.

"He never socialized with us, never went to dinner with anyone," the player said. Asked to describe Favre in a word, he said: "Distant."

A foxsports.com report Sunday said Favre wasn't happy being called out by Eric Mangini in front of the team, as the coach did with all of his players when they made mistakes. But the Jet who requested anonymity said that didn't seem to be the case.

"If [Favre] was hurt by that stuff, I'd be shocked, because Eric barely said anything to him," the player said. "Guys would be getting called out for missed assignments or blown coverages, and Brett would have three picks and no one would say a word."

On Monday, Kerry Rhodes said: "If he's dedicated and he wants to come back and do this, and do it the right way ... and be here when we're here in training camp and the minicamps and working out with us ... then I'm fine with it. But don't come back if it's going to be halfhearted or he doesn't want to put the time in with us."