According to our favorite source, WR Matt Jones may be looking for a home

[InmanRoshi]

From what I gather from Jacksonville fans isn't that Matt Jones doesn't get more opportunities with the Jaguars, its that he does nothing with the opportunities he has. The Jaguars WR coach Todd Monken made Jones his personal pet project last training camp, joined with him at the hip. In his ear every play giving him advice, show him pointers, making him run drills again and again until he did them right. He spent as much time with Jones as all the other WR's combined. Jones still didn't show any degree of consistency or want to, routinely making simple concentration errors like forgetting the play or running the wrong route. The other Jaguars WR's would stay extra hours to work before and after practice, but Jones never participated. He routinely dropped passes that hit him right in the hands because he was anticipating contact. That's not going to change just because he's lined up opposite of TO, and Jason Garrett's X's and O's aren't going to fix alligator arms. Evidently the Jacksonville coaches put a monumental amount of work into Matt Jones, the type of work you would expect to put into a former 1st round pick. He still shows no signs of being any better as a football player in Year 4 as he was as a rookie.

 

[TheCount]

If some of you are willing to waste years on Miles, I don't see what the problem is with Matt. He has more up side as a receiver. Is bigger, stronger and faster and has considerable time on field as a receiver.

 

[InmanRoshi]

If some of you are willing to waste years on Miles, I don't see what the problem is with Matt. He has more up side as a receiver. Is bigger, stronger and faster and has considerable time on field as a receiver.

Because Matt Jones doesn't have any work ethic, which makes all of his physical skills utterly useless.

 

[mrecktid]

If some of you are willing to waste years on Miles, I don't see what the problem is with Matt. He has more up side as a receiver. Is bigger, stronger and faster and has considerable time on field as a receiver.

A lot of people seem to be defending Austin, he hasn't contributed too much to the team.

Anyone other than a Cowboys homer would take Matt Jones over Miles Austin.

 

[mrecktid]

Because Matt Jones doesn't have any work ethic, which makes all of his physical skills utterly useless.

Work ethic can be taught though. You wouldn't want him as a 4th WR?

 

[Disturbed]

It seems the entire NFC East will probably be in a bidding war over any quality WR (or one with potential) that is let go at this point.

Crayton is not a #2 WR, so I say go try to get Matt. And then next year go get Roy from Detroit.

Use our two problem children as trade bait -- Greg Ellis (whines like a little girl) and Roy Williams (covers like a little girl).

 

[dogberry]

I don't have rooster in this fight, but I think Dave Campo would be our in house expert on Matt Jones.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Work ethic can be taught though. You wouldn't want him as a 4th WR?

You either have a passion for playing football or you don't. That's one of the things I like about this assembled cast of Cowboys ... this team enjoys football and works hard. That's the first thing Wade said he noticed after the team's first training camp practice last year. I don't want to see a gradual erosion of commitment to football like we saw with the Cowboys in the late 90's. I certainly wouldn't want him to be a 4th WR, because 4th WR's have to contribute on special teams ... and Matt Jones doesn't play special teams. People actually hit each other on special teams.

 

[mrecktid]

You either have a passion for playing football or you don't. And I certainly wouldn't want him to be a 4th WR, because 4th WR's have to contribute on special teams ... and Matt Jones doesn't play special teams. People actually hit each other on special teams.

I'm with you on needing passion for football.

I guess I'd just like a replacement for Austin, after rewatching quite a bit of the games this past season, I'm tired of seeing him running into the kicker time after time on kick returns.

 

[Stash]

From what I gather from Jacksonville fans isn't that Matt Jones doesn't get more opportunities with the Jaguars, its that he does nothing with the opportunities he has. The Jaguars WR coach Todd Monken made Jones his personal pet project last training camp, joined with him at the hip. In his ear every play giving him advice, show him pointers, making him run drills again and again until he did them right. He spent as much time with Jones as all the other WR's combined. Jones still didn't show any degree of consistency or want to, routinely making simple concentration errors like running the wrong route. The other Jaguars WR's would stay extra hours to work before and after practice, but Jones never participated. He routinely dropped passes that hit him right in the hands because he was anticipating contact. That's not going to change just because he's lined up opposite of TO, and Jason Garrett's X's and O's aren't going to fix alligator arms. Evidently the Jacksonville coaches put a monumental amount of work into Matt Jones, the type of work you would expect to put into a former 1st round pick. He still shows no signs of being any better as a football player in Year 4 as he was as a rookie.

I've looked up Jones' supposedly bad catch numbers and the numbers I've seen from 2006 actually compare pretty favorably to guy like Plaxico Burress and our own Terrell Owens.

I would also ask how much NFL experience Todd Monken has?

It's one thing to have a coach in your ear, it's another to have a good coach in your ear.

I seem to recall Todd Haley rubbing some receivers the wrong way with his methods in Dallas too.

Again, I'm not trying to make Matt Jones blameless, he's got to assume a level of blame too.

But given that being the team's leading receiver in 2006 still wasn't good enough to earn a starting job in 2007 makes me wonder if there isn't more to it than simply blaming Jones' work ethic.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I don't have rooster in this fight, but I think Dave Campo would be our in house expert on Matt Jones.

Good point.

 

[Stash]

You either have a passion for playing football or you don't. That's one of the things I like about this assembled cast of Cowboys ... this team enjoys football and works hard. That's the first thing Wade said he noticed after the team's first training camp practice last year. I don't want to see a gradual erosion of commitment to football like we saw with the Cowboys in the late 90's. I certainly wouldn't want him to be a 4th WR, because 4th WR's have to contribute on special teams ... and Matt Jones doesn't play special teams. People actually hit each other on special teams.

Again, for Matt Jones to be this team's 4th receiver, you'd have to show me 3 viable candidates above him.

I don't see that.

 

[DFWJC]

A lot of people seem to be defending Austin, he hasn't contributed too much to the team.

.

special teams?

 

[big dog cowboy]

I don't have rooster in this fight, but I think Dave Campo would be our in house expert on Matt Jones.

Not bad. Not bad at all!

 

[InmanRoshi]

In this offense, he's clearly behind TO and Crayton and Glenn (if he comes back). Anyone who measures efficiency like FootballOutsiders or Joyner has Crayton way ahead of Jones (Crayton has . So at best he's battling it out with Hurd, Stanback and Austin for the #3 or #4 spot .. at which point you have to ask yourself if it's even worth diluting the snaps and impeding the development of those guys of bringing in another guy into the mix (which is one of the reasons Jerry didn't reach for a rookie WR early in the draft). Especially one who brings nothing to the table in special teams or overall team work ethic, and in fact may be a detriment in those regards.

 

[TheCount]

Because Matt Jones doesn't have any work ethic, which makes all of his physical skills utterly useless.

Useless is a little strong. How many years did it take Crayton to get it? Switching positions isnt easy, especially when the team expects you to be a star. Here, he wouldnt be the go to guy, and I'd like to think our offensive schemes and staff are a little more prepared for a project like Jones.

I'd take him and run if the price were right, and the price is the only thing that would make me pause.

 

[dbair1967]

Again, for Matt Jones to be this team's 4th receiver, you'd have to show me 3 viable candidates above him.

I don't see that.

Open your eyes, its the plain as the nose on your face

he is no better than whats here already, hence he'd be a waste of time

David

 

[iceberg]

Sorry, but I have never blamed quarterback play for Jones/ situation. I sure wouldn't put it in the plus column, but I never used it as an excuse for Jones.

I still don't see the connection you're trying to make since Dallas' and Jacksonville's offensive schemes are about as different as you can get.

That's a glass half empty way of looking at it, but I would say at this point that Matt Jones is one of the better realistic options.

you said NO wr's were getting good stats. why is that then if not qb play OR the system focusing on RBs?

i would not disagree matt jones could be the best option out there right now. but if i'm looking for a car and my best option is an 85 yugo, i'll wait and keep what i have.

 

[iceberg]

Trust me, that doesn't stop anyone.

The numbers are fine to use to talk-up Crayton, but the flip-side is apparently a weak excuse for defending Jones.

this is in regard on how silly it is to compare numbers w/crayton cause of the # of weapons we have.

now you use that argument to your side because you need it too.

HOWEVER - i've also said jones won't sniff the ball much BECAUSE of the # of weapons we have, so it would be pointless.

and you ignore that part.

we disagree. i see average player we have no use for and i feel i'm looking at the whole picture. not much else to say i suppose.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Useless is a little strong. How many years did it take Crayton to get it?

It's not like Crayton is an 8 year vet. He's just completed his 4th year. Jones just completed his 3rd. And Crayton had a much larger learning curve in the NFL coming from such a tiny college, while Jones played in the SEC. The difference is Crayton has gotten incrementally and noticably better every single year. Matt Jones has either gotten worse or remained stagnant the longer he's been in the league.

Anyone who takes into account effiency per attempt will have Crayton well ahead of Jones (Football Outsiders currently has Crayton as their 27th rated WR based on their DPAR efficiency, Matt Jones 80th). Jones comes in behind TO, Crayton and perhaps Terry Glenn if he plays. So at best Jones is competing against Hurd, Stanback and Miles Austin for the #3 or #4 spot ... so you have to ask yourself whether it's worth it to furthur dilute the snaps and impede the progress of players who's arrow is pointing upward to bring in a guy who's arrow is pointing downward. Especially when this guy brings nothing to the table in special teams or the lockerroom. The issues that came up in Jacksonville are nothing new. It was widely reported since college that he much preferred basketball to football. The guy is just a workout warrior. He was rated a 4th round prospect before the combine, he runs a 4.37 at the Combine and *poof* .. he's suddenly The White Randy Moss overnight.