Felix Jones? Why is there an anti-Felix Jones clan on the Zone?

[skinsscalper]

Beware some man-booty and maybe even some dong in that first vid.

The second video, though, is pretty impressive. If FuzzyLumpkins fell in love with Chris Johnson over the course of a less-than-impressive 8 minute highlight video, I don't even want to know what he would do after watching Felix's video. Unlike CJ, Felix actually shows some impressive lateral agility and multi-cut ability...with a bit of power and broken tackles sprinkled in.

While I'm not a big proponent of taking Felix in the 1st (trade down and get him in the early 2nd) a couple of myths (for me personally) were debunked after watching the highlight video of FJ.

Myth #1: Jones is only an outside runner.

While it's true that the highlight film shows a great deal of outside runs, it's been missed by many that the play was designed that way. Another thing that is being missed is Jones' vision and burst. The kid recognizes quickly the open space to the outside and has a burst to that portion of the field. If Julius would have displayed a fraction of the vision and burst that Felix has shown, he wouldn't have even sniffed FA. Felix may not be the fastest back in this draft, but he gets to full speed like RIGHT NOW. I also noticed that Jones would, in fact (utilizing his exceptional vision), break a play back to the inside and jet down the field when outside running lanes were clogged up. Is he going to be a pound between the tackles 3 yards and a cloud of dirt kind of guy? No. But to insinuate that he can't run anything other than an outside pitch, off-tackle or sweep play is a complete falsification.

Another thing that I liked when I watched was how Jones used his blocking. Yes, he is fast, but when he properly uses his blockers and then makes a burst he looks unstoppable. I don't know how that will translate to the pro level because everyone in the NFL is faster and bigger, but Jones just seemed to be playing at a different speed than everyone else on the field.

One downer to the experience was also watching McFadden's highlight reel. That kid is going to be good. It's unfortunate that our 2 #1s (by most projections) won't be enough to snag this kid. I wouldn't be willing to part with more than those two picks to get him, but if our two #1s were enough I would be all over it.

 

[DallasKnight]

I don't have anything against him personally, I just believe that there are better fits for this team, in laters rounds. Rice, Slaton to name 2, can be had in later rounds. Forte is another. I don't like the thought of us taking him at 22 for darn sure.

 

[cobra]

It's non-sensical to say that "I like FJ but not in the first round." That's where a player of his caliber goes.

If you want a top flight RB who isn't an every down workhorse, but can be a 3rd down back, return man, and change of speed back, then you have to spend a late first on him.

If Dallas doesn't take him, someone will because that is where his value says he should go.

It is foolish to say that "First Round picks have to be starters." Most first round picks aren't with drafting their teams after several years.

The more appropriate request is that First Round picks should be solid picks at their position.

And 3rd down back, change of speed back, and kick returner are all positions on a team. If you can get a good one of those, then it sure as hell is worth a first round pick.

If I can guarentee you that you can get Dave Meggett with your first round pick, do you take him? You'd be a fool not to do so. But he never was a starting RB. Yet, he made valuable contributions to his team. I'll take Dave Meggett over a "workhouse potential starting RB" like say Curtis Enis.

In short: it doesn't matter what the player's position is. The goal is to get a valuable contributor and avoid busts. And Felix Jones could be that. It's not a reach; if we don't take him, someone else will take him within 10 picks of us. It where his value puts him.

 

[theogt]

Drafting for guys that were expected to play a supporting role and back up netted us guys like Sherman Williams, Steve Scifres etc. Whether or not they will back up for some period of time and HAVING to be a backup are two different things.

That being said. Everyone loves Barber but Barber statistically is one the worst short yardage runners. If its 3rd and a long 1 he is not going to get that a good percentage of the time. Wow i just went mentally back to Charles being our best option.

God what i wouldnt give too be in the draft meeting room at VR over then next 2 weeks. just to see what thought processes guys loke Ciskowskit, both Jones, Phillips et al use.

http://hosted.stats.com/fb/leaders.asp?type=Rushing&range=NFL&rank=016

Being 11th in the league in gaining first downs on 3rd and short is a far cry from being "one of the worst short yardage runners."

 

[jobberone]

While I'm not a big proponent of taking Felix in the 1st (trade down and get him in the early 2nd) a couple of myths (for me personally) were debunked after watching the highlight video of FJ.

Myth #1: Jones is only an outside runner.

While it's true that the highlight film shows a great deal of outside runs, it's been missed by many that the play was designed that way. Another thing that is being missed is Jones' vision and burst. The kid recognizes quickly the open space to the outside and has a burst to that portion of the field. If Julius would have displayed a fraction of the vision and burst that Felix has shown, he wouldn't have even sniffed FA. Felix may not be the fastest back in this draft, but he gets to full speed like RIGHT NOW. I also noticed that Jones would, in fact (utilizing his exceptional vision), break a play back to the inside and jet down the field when outside running lanes were clogged up. Is he going to be a pound between the tackles 3 yards and a cloud of dirt kind of guy? No. But to insinuate that he can't run anything other than an outside pitch, off-tackle or sweep play is a complete falsification.

Another thing that I liked when I watched was how Jones used his blocking. Yes, he is fast, but when he properly uses his blockers and then makes a burst he looks unstoppable. I don't know how that will translate to the pro level because everyone in the NFL is faster and bigger, but Jones just seemed to be playing at a different speed than everyone else on the field.

One downer to the experience was also watching McFadden's highlight reel. That kid is going to be good. It's unfortunate that our 2 #1s (by most projections) won't be enough to snag this kid. I wouldn't be willing to part with more than those two picks to get him, but if our two #1s were enough I would be all over it.

I don't have anything against him personally, I just believe that there are better fits for this team, in laters rounds. Rice, Slaton to name 2, can be had in later rounds. Forte is another. I don't like the thought of us taking him at 22 for darn sure.

I like both of these posts. I find it hard to believe some people think F Jones has no vision or speed. I think they haven't seem them or at the very least watched critically. Same with CJ. Both of these guys have first round talent. At the very least they are in the top 40 which I think outside the top 10-15 or so are all first round talent guys.

Saying you have to start to be a first round pick is not real. That's saying someone of D Hester's talent is not worth a first round pick.

I'm in favor of picking an all around back so I'm more inclined to look at someone like CJ at 22 or 28 than Jones. But I have no problem with the Boys taking Jones at 28 to be a complimentary back who can field kickoffs and punts. Someone who can reliably put you on the thirty on kickoffs and threaten to run some back is worth a lot IMO. I think the Boys should take a CB first unless they're all gone. And the need for a starting quality WR is still there.

It's just not black and white.

 

[Tex]

http://hosted.stats.com/fb/leaders.asp?type=Rushing&range=NFL&rank=016

Being 11th in the league in gaining first downs on 3rd and short is a far cry from being "one of the worst short yardage runners."

And there is only like 3 runners on that list ahead of MB that I would rather have as our back. Cedrick Benson at #1 ??? Shows how worthless that stat is.

Tex

 

[Bizwah]

It's non-sensical to say that "I like FJ but not in the first round." That's where a player of his caliber goes.

It makes perfect sense. It's just a polite way of saying we don't feel that he's a first rounder.

It's an opinion.

If you want a top flight RB who isn't an every down workhorse, but can be a 3rd down back, return man, and change of speed back, then you have to spend a late first on him.

This is not true. Runningbacks can be found in all rounds of the draft. That's part of my reasoning for saying that I wouldn't spend a first on him.

If Dallas doesn't take him, someone will because that is where his value says he should go.

Fine with me.....If a team wants to overspend that's their problem.

If I can guarentee you that you can get Dave Meggett with your first round pick, do you take him? You'd be a fool not to do so. But he never was a starting RB. Yet, he made valuable contributions to his team. I'll take Dave Meggett over a "workhouse potential starting RB" like say Curtis Enis.

I'd take Dave Meggett over Curtis Enis. Who wouldn't?

But this comparison doesn't quite cut it. Meggett is a proven good player. Enis is a proven bad player.

Are you guaranteeing that Felix Jones is a "good" player. Is he going to be the next Dave Meggett? Felix Jones is very unproven....

Now, if you could guarantee me that Felix Jones would be the next Dave Meggett, then I'd say lets draft him.....in round two.

In short: it doesn't matter what the player's position is. The goal is to get a valuable contributor and avoid busts. And Felix Jones could be that. It's not a reach; if we don't take him, someone else will take him within 10 picks of us. It where his value puts him.

This is your opinion. I don't feel he is first round material. But I've been wrong before.

Most of us would agree that getting a good player in round one is a good thing. But targeting a player in the first round that's a spot player or complimentary player is setting the bar low. Shoot for a guy that can replace/spell your starter.

I understand what you're saying. I just disagree with it. You have a different philosophy.

 

[Kangaroo]

I do not hate Fleix Jones one bit I just think there are better backs in round one and after that we should wait until round 2 for the rb even if it is a move up in round 2.


The 3bs I like in round 1 are Mcfadden I think he goes to the Jets

Mendhall and Stewart after that I hope any back this team looks at is in the 2nd round

Just like I do not see 1 wr I like in the 1st round this year.

If we nab Charles; Felix or Chris in 2nd round it is all cool

 

[Sarge]

http://hosted.stats.com/fb/leaders.asp?type=Rushing&range=NFL&rank=016

Being 11th in the league in gaining first downs on 3rd and short is a far cry from being "one of the worst short yardage runners."

No doubt.........

 

[cobra]

Runningbacks can be found in all rounds of the draft. That's part of my reasoning for saying that I wouldn't spend a first on him.

ANY POSITION can be found in all rounds of the draft, so by your reasoning, we should never draft anyone in the first round.

See how stupid that logic is?

CB, WR, QB, OL.... every position can be found in later rounds if you are lucky.

You ought to abandon this moronic point.

But this comparison doesn't quite cut it. Meggett is a proven good player. Enis is a proven bad player.

No the point is that the value to a teamof solid supporting players is greater than the value to a team of a worthless starting player. By looking at it this way, you can see the key to the draft: Getting value. It doesn't matter whether it supporting or starting. The goal is value. If the team feels that Jones represents value as a 3rd down back, then that is reason enough to draft him.

The whole "must be a starter" premise for a 1st round draft pick is BS, as proven by that example.

Now, if you could guarantee me that Felix Jones would be the next Dave Meggett, then I'd say lets draft him.....in round two.

If you had a guarantee that you would have a player of Meggett's quality and yet you still wouldn't take him in round one, then you don't have a fricking clue about drafting. Most first round picks don't make it. A guaranteed contributer is first round quality. That you still say it isn't worth a first is indicative of your irrational view on this issue.

Of course, in the end, I cannot guarantee that Jones will be good, but that is true with every pick. So all you can do is make your best guess. And if their best guess is that Jones represents a valuable contributor at #28, then he is worth it. "Going to be a starter" or not be damned.

That's why it is called "best player available" and not "best equipped to be starter available."

 

[TheCount]

What I don't like about the kid is that every big play I see him make, it's him running in the open field.

He doesn't have great moves or agility, he doesn't run with power, he doesn't have a knack for breaking tackles.

What he is good at is seeing a hole, and if he happens to get through it and no one is there to hit him in the mouth, he might find open air and get a big chunk.

In short, he's the second coming of Julius Jones.

 

[jobberone]

I didn't see him break a lot of tackles but he isn't going to be that kind of player. Not his thing. But fortunately you don't qualify a RB on just that. The question is will be make yardage. Jones should excell at being a Westbrook or Bush type back. He will create matchup problems. He's faster than his forty and he's very quick. And as someone pointed out he goes from zero to fast in a hurry. If he's used properly Jones will be a big contributor IMO.

 

[cobra]

In short, he's the second coming of Julius Jones.

Are you certain of that? Are you prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt? Or have you already resolved in your mind that he is absolutely the same as Julius Jones?

I hope you haven't because you are likely to be pissed. And it strikes me as extremely bad form for you to have already closed the book on the guy before he gets a chance.

All based on your youtube watching.

 

[TheCount]

I didn't see him break a lot of tackles but he isn't going to be that kind of player. Not his thing. But fortunately you don't qualify a RB on just that. The question is will be make yardage. Jones should excell at being a Westbrook or Bush type back. He will create matchup problems. He's faster than his forty and he's very quick. And as someone pointed out he goes from zero to fast in a hurry. If he's used properly Jones will be a big contributor IMO.

Wow, I don't think he's anything like either of those guys. You're giving him way too much credit. At what point in his career has he proven to be near as elusive as those guys, not to mention anywhere near the receiver?

Are you certain of that? Are you prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt? Or have you already resolved in your mind that he is absolutely the same as Julius Jones?

I hope you haven't because you are likely to be pissed. And it strikes me as extremely bad form for you to have already closed the book on the guy before he gets a chance.

All based on your youtube watching.

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, I give everyone the benefit of the doubt. But I'd rather he surprise on another team than disappoint on our team. How could I possibly close the book on someone that hasn't played a down in the NFL?

And at what point did I say I've only seen him on Youtube?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Give Julius some vision and hed be a heckof a back. It wasn't Jules physical tools that were the problem.

 

[The Rawhide Kid]

http://hosted.stats.com/fb/leaders.asp?type=Rushing&range=NFL&rank=016

Being 11th in the league in gaining first downs on 3rd and short is a far cry from being "one of the worst short yardage runners."

Great find. Kind of shows how useless that stat is. I guess since Peterson ranks 14th, he's also not that great of a RB.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Don't like FElix because

played in a gimmick offense
lived in Dmac shadow
13 reps is laughable
Isn't a fast as hyped

Don't really know how good he is most of the time a RB would stay the extra season to prove his self he didn't which leads me to believe he isn't anything special with out Dmac there without Dmac there is no Felx Jones and when he gets to the next level its not going to be good for him.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

It is a small sample size. The metric i remember was from 2006 but its no biggie. Regardless I would love to get a 240 lb guy that can move the pile. Barber can deliver a blow no question but I have to admit I wouldnt be upset if we got Mendenhall.

 

[Dhragon]

Give Julius some vision and hed be a heckof a back. It wasn't Jules physical tools that were the problem.

No kidding. If Felix is just Julius the second but with vision, which he seems to have, he would be an outstanding back.

It also kills me when posters say it's just their opinion he isn't a first round talent. Lol, no friggin kidding. ANYONE beyond 18-20 is usually NOT a first round graded talent (usually only around 20 per year with a first round grade), but you still have to draft someone.

I soured on Felix when I heard of the 8 reps thing ( and 13 isn't a heck of a whole lot more ) but I'm willing to at least give him a chance. I certainly hope others will come around as well IF we do indeed draft him. Being a rookie is hard enough without having your team's fans against you for no real reason.

 

[Tex]

Great find. Kind of shows how useless that stat is. I guess since Peterson ranks 14th, he's also not that great of a RB.

Even better Cedric Benson was rated number one. Crap I would only take 3 of thebacks rated above MB over MB.

Tex