Today former Texans wide receiver, perennial fantasy football sleeper and major contributor to the Ravens playoff win last year Jacoby Jones, became the newest Baltimore Raven. For those who don’t remember Jones inexplicably tried to field a punt with Cary Williams bearing down on him in the second round of the playoffs last year. When Jones bobbled the punt it resulted in the Ravens jumping out to an early 7-0 lead over the Texans and an eventual win. Five months later Jones will enter camp trying to help the Ravens by not bobbling the ball but holding onto it.
There is a lot to like about Jones signing. First, he is an incredible physical specimen: 6-foot-2 1/2, 210 lbs. and a 4.49 forty-yard dash time. Simply put, he has all the physical skills needed in a #1 wide receiver. Jones’ physical attributes shouldn’t be quickly dismissed despite his lack of production in Houston. When players with these skills/attributes “get it” they become stars. In past NFL seasons players like Miles Austin, Vincent Jackson and Brandon Marshall were all recent “projects” with similar physical skills who’ve developed into #1 wide receivers out of nowhere. More analysis on Jones and how he fits into the 2012 Ravens after the jump.
Furthermore, by signing Jones the Ravens do not have to use their best corner, Ladarius Webb, on punt returns. Despite Jones’ bobble in the playoff game against Baltimore he is a proven commodity as a kick/punt returner tallying four return touchdowns in his first five NFL seasons. Thus, even in Jones does not breakout this year he’ll still add depth at wide receiver and on special teams.
It would be irresponsible to simply celebrate the Jones’ signing in this space. After all, its fair to describe Jones as an injury prone knuckle-head. Despite his physical tools he never surpassed Kevin Walter as the Texans #2 wide receiver. Jones’ best season for receptions was 2010 when he had 51 for 562 yards and three touchdowns. Furthermore, Jones has showcased poor decision making on and off the field including being arrested under suspicion of drunk driving in 2008. Still, there is plenty of upside with Jones to look forward to. The move also shows that the Ravens front office recognizes Joe Flacco’s strength as a down the field passer and are attempting to surround him with viable weapons.
Obviously I don’t understand the cap as this seems like a big contract for a punt returner and a slot #3 receiver.
Agree……..
Valid point about Jones’ ability to return punts allowing Lardarius to stay on the sideline for special teams & not risk his health as often.
I’d be interested to read an argument that supports Jones’ signing as a move that is significantly different from the Ravens’ recent one-year also-rans at wideout like Donte’ Stallworth, Lee Evans or T.J. Houshmandzadeh. All were added after proving themselves as No. 2 receivers for other teams, the former two justified subsequently for their alleged ability to “stretch the field”. Not one of those guys made the kind of contribution to the Ravens offense that might have labeled them as stars. In evaluating the linked June 2010 article from ESPN, it’s important to note that of the 17 guys identified as potential future “studs,” only one of them, Tampa’s Mike Wiliams, caught 60 receptions each of the last two years, and he’s the only one in shouting distance of averaging 900 yards per season in that time (868). Marshall, Jackson, and Austin all made their “jumps” from sideshow to freak-of-nature within their first four years in the league, and Jones is about to start his sixth. Aside from any off-the-field issues, I’d say it would be pretty shocking to see him become anything more than a special teamer and 3rd-down decoy.
Thoughts? Anything in particular that you like about Jones coming into this season?
Really what was the point in showing that video clip??? I’m beginning to wonder if the “writers” at BSR are even Ravens fans. First trashing Suggs for his injury, specifically calling him “stupid” and now the looping clip of JJ making an unfortunate mistake on a return. I would love to see y’all “writers” come even close to performing as well as these guys do even on a bad day.
Hate – this is Baltimore where the only way writers think they have a chance at anything is to be overly critical about their home teams (See Mike “I wish I Played Football” Preston). Whats even worse is that they have a another club of morons that follow in their footsteps spewing the same banter as the writers because they don’t know how to think for themselves.
MGW – Thoughts are that Q will move into the slot and they’d put Jones on the outside making him the number two. This allows better run blocking and since Q is a little slower these days, running across the middle will suit him better.
Houston Fan I’m not trolling I’m just going to share Jones has good speed decent hands. He can make plays it’s just he doesn’t make enough of them when it counts. He does have a tendancy to run backwards/ sideways on PR/KR. Maybe Ray Lewis can talk to him like he told Ray Rice don’t you ever run east and west in this league go straight north and south. I will be shocked if he becomes a Pro Bowler on Special Teams. Just giving you Ravens fans a fair warning.
Be prepared to learn the Jacoby equation
1BP>1 GP
1 Bonehead Play greater than or equal to 1 Good Play.