Let's talk about Byron Jones

[xwalker]

People always said that about Claiborne as well and that he shouldn't have been picked that high because of lack of speed. I think people expect to see Deion.

They had similar timed speed in the forty with Jones having better 10 yard time and being better in the agility and explosive measurable(s).

One key is that Jones did it at 11 pounds heavier than Claiborne.

Based on college game footage I thought that Jones was very fast; whereas, Claiborne didn't even look like a 4.43 guy to me.

I was very surprised that a CB would be drafted as high as Claiborne that didn't have wow measurable(s). His arm length was the only thing that was really above average.

The biggest difference between the two players is by far, IMO, their intelligence. Claiborne had the 6 on the wonderlic and has followed it up with mental problems on the field. They have tried to keep him almost exclusively in man coverage because in years past his biggest problem was the mental side of playing zone or switching off WRs to avoid pick plays. In this past game they tried some new scheme changes to combat the pick plays but managed to do it while still letting Claiborne just line up on play man. On some plays the had White as the slot CB play zone along with the LBs while Claiborne on the outside played man.

I would not be surprised if Jones is playing a little heavier weight with his role as a TE specialist and Safety.

Byron Jones
Height: 6005
Weight: 199
40 Yrd Dash: 4.43
20 Yrd Dash: 2.52
10 Yrd Dash: 1.50
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 18
Vertical Jump: 44 1/2
Broad Jump: 12'03"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 3.94
3-Cone Drill: 6.78

Morris Claiborne
Height: 5111
Weight: 188
40 Yrd Dash: 4.43 (4.50 combine)
20 Yrd Dash: 2.58
10 Yrd Dash: 1.56
225 Lb. Bench Reps:
Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump: 09'09"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.12
3-Cone Drill: 7.01

 

[tyke1doe]

He played well but to say he "shutdown" Gronk is inaccurate.

Gronk caught 4 passes on 5 targets for 67 yards.

For his career, Gronk averages 4.8 reception and 69 yards per game.

The more accurate description is that Jones prevented Gronk from going Gronk and taking over the game. Major feather in Jones cap as far as I am concerned, however, I felt it necessary to point out he didn't shutdown Gronk.

Well, if he prevented Gronk from going "Gronk", i.e., prevented Gronk from doing what he normally does, doesn't that mean he shutdown Gronk???

Gronk isn't an average tight end. That's why you refer to him as "going Gronk". Well, if Jones stopped him from doing what has made Gronk popular, how can you not say that he shut him down?

Or maybe I need to ask you how do you define "shutdown"? Does that mean a defender can't let his opponent catch any passes?

 

[tyke1doe]

I think Jones has done an exceptional job. You rarely hear his name, which means he's not making mistakes. Granted, that also means he's not producing any takeaways, but I'd much rather he go anonymous than he be called out for not making plays.

You also have to take into consideration he's a rookie, and he took out the best tight end in the league, or reduced his productivity significantly.

I remember Jimmy Johnson saying of Darren Woodson, he regretted not getting Woodson more snaps in his rookie year because he was just that good. Of course, the Cowboys went to the Super Bowl in Woodson's rookie year so maybe JJ had other things on his mind. I think of Byron Jones the same way. Not saying that he will be as good as Woodson was his rookie season. But like Woodson, he's one of these guys who you think is good, but you really don't realize he's THAT good because your eyes are on other players.

I'm really impressed by Jones, especially since hardly any draft magazines had him ranked among their top corners. Heck, some of the draft magazines didn't even have him listed in their cornerback player evaluations.

 

[perrykemp]

Well, if he prevented Gronk from going "Gronk", i.e., prevented Gronk from doing what he normally does, doesn't that mean he shutdown Gronk???

Gronk isn't an average tight end. That's why you refer to him as "going Gronk". Well, if Jones stopped him from doing what has made Gronk popular, how can you not say that he shut him down?

Or maybe I need to ask you how do you define "shutdown"? Does that mean a defender can't let his opponent catch any passes?

I think we are quibbling over terminology.

I am in a full agreement that the Cowboys got exactly what they had hoped for in the Jones / Gronk matchup. He held Gronk to his game averages in receptions and yards and also prevented any big plays and/or TDs.

To answer your question on what I think the word "shutdown" means as it relates to a DB playing a WR/TE in coverage -- my unscientific definition is "Held to less than 50% of their typical averages for a game". My guess is for some "shutdown" means 'held without a catch' or something similar. I'm not in that camp.

 

[Doomsay]

The local NE press up here thought that he did one of the best jobs of covering a healthy Gronk that they had seen- one of the reasons, along with our persistent man coverage, that Belichick went to the midget rub routes in the 2nd half.

 

[Kaiser]

I think we are getting close to the point where Jones starts at Safety and Church moves into a backup/dime role.

 

[tyke1doe]

I think we are quibbling over terminology.

I am in a full agreement that the Cowboys got exactly what they had hoped for in the Jones / Gronk matchup. He held Gronk to his game averages in receptions and yards and also prevented any big plays and/or TDs.

To answer your question on what I think the word "shutdown" means as it relates to a DB playing a WR/TE in coverage -- my unscientific definition is "Held to less than 50% of their typical averages for a game". My guess is for some "shutdown" means 'held without a catch' or something similar. I'm not in that camp.

Thank you for answering my question and providing a definition. Often, when I ask guys questions for clarification, they get defensive. I just want to know how a person defines a certain concept so I can make sure we're understanding one another and talking about the same thing.
So, again, thank you. That gives me some bases of understanding your response to this issue.

 

[CF74]

I'd like to stick him at FS, can't be any worse than Wilcox, might even be an upgrade...