A lot of Cowboy fans wanted this guy..... - Dallas Cowboys Forum

JBond · 05-18-2005

Jones out, Darius back
5/17/05
By Vic Ketchman, jaguars.com senior editor

Rookie WR Matt Jones injured his hamstring at the team's first minicamp this offseason. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio did not express concern about Matt Jones' hamstring or Fred Taylor's knee, following the team's first of 14 OTA (organized team activity) practices on Tuesday morning.

“He's eager to get back,” Del Rio said of Jones, the 21st pick of this year's draft. “As part of that eagerness, he went out last week and tweaked it. He wants to show his teammates he can make plays.”

Jones originally sustained the hamstring pull in the second practice of mini-camp, on April 29. He was held out of drills in the final three practices of mini-camp, then re-injured the hamstring while working out on his own last week in Arkansas.

“The big thing is to slow down and let that leg heal up. It's something we'll monitor day to day. It's the middle of May. The important thing is to have him for training camp,” Del Rio said.

Training camp (July 29) is also Taylor's target. Taylor is recovering from offseason knee surgery and will not participate in spring drills until late June, if at all. Taylor was present at Tuesday's practice but strictly as an observer.

“It hasn't changed from what I said back in March,” Del Rio said of Taylor's timetable for recovery. “Fred's rehabbing and we're not going to rush it. This is not the time for it. The rehab is on course and going well. We expect to have him for training camp.”

Tuesday's practice also marked the on-field return of safety Donovin Darius, who was fined by Del Rio for missing mini-camp. Darius told reporters Tuesday afternoon that his decision not to attend mini-camp was not related to having been “franchised” for the third consecutive year by the Jaguars.

“I wanted to make sure I ended the offseason program,” Darius said of a conditioning regimen in Philadelphia he had begun in February. “Part of the offseason program was to finish those three days.”

Darius had lashed out at the team for giving him the “franchise” tag again, but his remarks on Tuesday were very conciliatory.

“I asked Mr. Weaver to forgive me if I offended him in any way,” Darius said of a conversation he had with Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver recently.

“Our window of opportunity to make money is shorter than a lot of other professions. If I offended any of my fans, I apologize,” Darius added.

The “franchise” designation guarantees $5 million in salary to Darius this year. He earned $4 million in 2004 and $3 million in '03 as a “franchise” player, which makes his total take $12 million over the last three years.

“I've gotten more with the ‘franchise' tag than I would've gotten if I had signed a deal three years ago. As it's turned out, it's been a great deal,” said Darius, who was asked if he would accept a fourth “franchise” tag if the team chooses to tag him, again, in '06. “I'll say ‘fine' and sign it,” he said.

“This was the first year I let out some frustration. I was at peace with it. It wasn't about the $5 million. My thing was that it was about a long-term contract,” said Darius, who wanted the security a long-term contract would offer against the risk of injury.

In other news, second-round draft choice Khalif Barnes and second-year wide receiver Ernest Wilford are the only players who were absent from Tuesday's practice. NFL rules forbid Barnes to join the spring practices until after the University of Washington conducts graduation ceremonies. Wilford's absence (personal reasons) was excused.

The Jaguars will practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

Tass · 05-18-2005

Yes, I was one of them. Your point is?

LaTunaNostra · 05-18-2005

I read an article in the Jags press last week discussing how wildly popular Jones already is. He was referred to by the reporter as "the face of the Jaguars", LOL.

The story also mentioned that the Jags fanbase has not had such a love affair since Mark Brunnell. I guess Jacksonville hasn't exactly taken to Leftwich?

Odd. Jones is an exciting project for sure, but he has done zilch yet.

Fletch · 05-18-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaTunaNostra

I read an article in the Jags press last week discussing how wildly popular Jones already is. He was referred to by the reporter as "the face of the Jaguars", LOL.

The story also mentioned that the Jags fanbase has not had such a love affair since Mark Brunnell. I guess Jacksonville hasn't exactly taken to Leftwich?

Odd. Jones is an exciting project for sure, but he has done zilch yet.

Exactly. He is merely a project. The question he faces is if he is tough enough to take on LB's when it comes down to blocking, and if he can learn to run precise routes in the passing game without any drop off. He is still merely a running QB trying to switch positions.

**MichaelWinicki** · 05-18-2005

Not me.

Another "project".

LaTunaNostra · 05-18-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fletch

Exactly. He is merely a project. The question he faces is if he is tough enough to take on LB's when it comes down to blocking, and if he can learn to run precise routes in the passing game without any drop off. He is still merely a running QB trying to switch positions.

His measurables were freakish - this is a project that could pay off BIG, a real game changer - and the Jags obviously thought the gamble was worth a first.

Who is their receivers coach, does anyone know?

I imagine Jones' chances of making the switch are roughly what Randall Williams' were. Randal didn't have to make a position switch but it is debatable if a receiver playing for Maine really has a skills set conducive to development.

Jones has to make a difficult transtion but he is twice the athlete, and I suspect, three times the "football player" Randal was.

I hope for the Jags' sake it works out - I like to see teams who gamble big hit the jackpot.

Cbz40 · 05-18-2005

I was intrigied by him but he was very low on my priority list.

Duane · 05-18-2005

I was liking a possible 3rd round pick on the guy (and we didn't have one this year), not #20 in the draft.

Good luck to Matt and the Jags, hope this works out for both of them.

SuspectCorner · 05-19-2005

fred taylor. for a guy who'd prolly strain his knee walking out to the mailbox - he's had a good career.

is he ever healthy?

Crown Royal · 05-19-2005

#20 is a lot of risk on a guy like this. If he pans out, the Jags are brilliant. If he doesn't, they become the new Cowboys (of the late nineties, of course....)

playit12 · 05-19-2005

Well I said it the last time he tweaked his knee and I'll say it again...

Jones will spend his entire carreer with some injury or another. He is simply too fast for his frame. The human body can only tolerate so much and he will be example one in this regard.

I'm guessing an ACL injury takes him out for the year before the third game of the season.

Qwickdraw · 05-19-2005

... and a lot of Cowboys fans didn't want this bust- I mean guy, as well.

Doomsday101 · 05-19-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crown Royal

#20 is a lot of risk on a guy like this. If he pans out, the Jags are brilliant. If he doesn't, they become the new Cowboys (of the late nineties, of course....)

I would have had no problem with Jones late in the draft. I do agree he was too much of a risk to take early in the draft as the jags did

Big Country · 05-19-2005

I never wanted him anyway, we had much bigger needs than a guy going into the league at a brand new position...

His athleticism might be impressive, but there have been tons of athletes that have passed through the NFL and never amounted to anything.

Howboutdemcowboys31 · 05-19-2005

i wasnt one of them hes the white kordell stewert