Matt Jones Video of his QB play back in Arkansas

[sago1]

I know, I know. Some of you will be upset that I started another thread on Matt Jones & will view it as meaningless since he's a WR now, but I didn't want this to get lost in the 2 ongoing threads about whether the Cowboys should take a look at if it Jags cut him soon. Anyway, I found it on DMN blog (when he was a QB at Arkansas). He sure seemed to love the game of football back then. At least this video gives those who hate him and those who love him a frame of reference to start from. There might be a youtube video of him as WR with the Jags but admit I haven't looked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A58yF_yI9E0

 

[jchap]

He was great in college, that's for sure. The problem now seems to be that he just lacks the mental attributes needed to excel in the NFL. He can't get by on phyical talent alone anymore.

 

[Stash]

I know, I know. Some of you will be upset that I started another thread on Matt Jones & will view it as meaningless since he's a WR now, but I didn't want this to get lost in the 2 ongoing threads about whether the Cowboys should take a look at if it Jags cut him soon. Anyway, I found it on DMN blog (when he was a QB at Arkansas). He sure seemed to love the game of football back then. At least this video gives those who hate him and those who love him a frame of reference to start from. There might be a youtube video of him as WR with the Jags but admit I haven't looked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A58yF_yI9E0

There is, it's his last game of 2007 against Houston.

But everyone wants to 'throw that one out' because Jones played well.

Big surprise, huh?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RwG_4OvDVTA

Enjoy!

 

[Wrangler87]

This guy could be one of those guys that need that change of scenery. It really can make a difference in a player. Look at Moss. He was horrendous in Oakland (I know, no QB, but look at Jacksonville). I'm not saying Jones could be Moss, but the NFL has a long history of players who turned into stars simply by changing scenery.

 

[sago1]

Here's 3 youtube videos on Matt Jones. There's another one but keep lossing it. Hope it helps this discussion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwG_4OvDVTA&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzHPQfnY5NE&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwG_4OvDVTA&feature=related

 

[Stash]

This guy could be one of those guys that need that change of scenery. It really can make a difference in a player. Look at Moss. He was horrendous in Oakland (I know, no QB, but look at Jacksonville). I'm not saying Jones could be Moss, but the NFL has a long history of players who turned into stars simply by changing scenery.

Yeah, watch binging up the names of any players in a similar position or situation. Guys will immediately accuse you of comparing the talent level rather than the change of scenery you're actually referring to.

But I fully agree with you, I think a change of scene could do wonders for Matt Jones.

And I have great faith in the coaching abilities of Ray Sherman and the creative mind of Jason Garrett.

That plays a large role in my firm belief that trading for Jones is a good idea.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

At least this will show those who say "He's just a workout wonder!!!" that no, he was a hell of a player in the SEC.

It was a different position, sure, and that does make a big difference. But it's not like he can't play the game.

 

[InmanRoshi]

he's not being cut from sub par Jacksonville WR unit because he lacks physical talent.

These highlight videos are exactly what makes Matt Jones so dangerous ... because he'll tease you just enough to break your heart (see any Julius Jones highlight video). Just like when he tore up the Senior Bowl and convinced NFL teams he was a 1st round caliber WR prospect.

Williams lays bone-crushing blocks. Coaches laud Wilford's work ethic. Jones is just ... Jones, synonymous with talk of being too soft, not passionate enough and too inconsistent at catching even routine balls.

"He's exactly what he was in college," said an AFC East personnel-department member, who asked not to be identified because of NFL rules concerning comments about players on other teams. "He didn't really like football in college. He liked it, but didn't love it. He came to the [NFL] combine [in 2004] saying he wanted to do other things, like play basketball or start a band. His mind was on everything other than football. He made a lot of big plays at the Senior Bowl like there was nothing to it. You can't deny his physical talent, but the mental talent isn't there. He never wanted to be a great football player."

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/112507/jag_220299770.shtml

One of the things this team has going for it is that Parcells brought in players with strong work ethic and are passinate about football. How many more lazy and undisciplined players (on and off the field) can we afford to bring in before we start hitting critical mass and the overall team work ethic starts to erode?

 

[Stash]

he's not being cut from sub par Jacksonville WR unit because he lacks physical talent.

Which begs the question, why does Jacksonville continually have a 'sub-par' wide receiver unit?

It'd be one thing if it was just Matt Jones, but it isn't.

There's a pattern in Jacksonville.



And yeah, if he's 'dogging it', he's still putting up good numbers doing it.

Better numbers over his first three years than our resident #2 receiver over his first three years.

I would take the more talented guy 'dogging it' putting up the better numbers.

 

[CATCH17]

I trust any move our front office makes now days so if they feel the need to bring in Matt Jones then im all for it.

 

[Eskimo]

I don't understand why people are so fixated on not giving the kid a chance if we can acquire him for nothing. He would at the very least represent a big upgrade over Hurd.

I would love for him to be lined up opposite TO so we can take shots downfield. He has size, speed, jumping ability and good ball skills. He could potentially thrive here as a deep threat WR.

If he has a bad attitude, we can just cut him on the spot without consequence. His bad attitude may have to do with contextual factors and it would be hard to know for sure until you bring him into a new environment.

 

[InmanRoshi]

And yeah, if he's 'dogging it', he's still putting up good numbers doing it.

I've looked at his numbers ..."good" isn't what comes to mind.

Crayton just had a 50 catch season in the first year he's ever been given the opportunities Jones has had in his 3 year career .... and how many 50 catch seasons has Jones had?

 

[Stash]

I've looked at his numbers ..."good" isn't what comes to mind.

What do you think when you look at Alvin Harper's numbers over that same span of his career?

Crayton just had a 50 catch season in the first year he's ever been given the opportunities Jones has had in his 3 year career .... and how many 50 catch seasons has Jones had?

Crayton started 15 games last season - due solely to injury I might add.

How many did Jones start?

How many did Jones even play in last season while in Del Rio's doghouse?

Tell me about how many 'opportunities' Jones has had when he's gotten 5 career starts in Jacksonville.

Jones led the Jaguars in receiving in 2006, yet somehow didn't start a single game in 2007?

I'd have a 'bad attitude' too.

 

[Stash]

I don't understand why people are so fixated on not giving the kid a chance if we can acquire him for nothing. He would at the very least represent a big upgrade over Hurd.

I would love for him to be lined up opposite TO so we can take shots downfield. He has size, speed, jumping ability and good ball skills. He could potentially thrive here as a deep threat WR.

If he has a bad attitude, we can just cut him on the spot without consequence. His bad attitude may have to do with contextual factors and it would be hard to know for sure until you bring him into a new environment.

Glad to see I'm not totally alone here.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

He does have attitude problems... But he's still a young guy. He can't change? Guys that have have bad reps as teammates, or hang out with drug dealers, or get arrested can change, but someone whose worst crime is being too cool for school can't? Why is that?

Like I've said before, I'd guarantee you that Jerry knows Matt's family personally. If Matt's dad says, "Jerry, Matt just doesn't really like football and I don't think he ever will", then forget it.

But it's possible that with a little experience he will learn or has learned that making hundreds of thousands of dollars is pretty cool, and you can't do that by playing pickup baskeball or starting a band.

 

[sago1]

If you listen carefully to one of those videos I listed above, you can hear the announcers say that Del Rio had chastized Matt Jones earlier in the game for a one handed catch. Announcer made that comment after Matt Jones just made a sensational TD catch on the sidelines in the end zone. I'm kinda thinking Del Rio coming down too hard on Jones; maybe Del Rio is too often too tough on a kid making transition to WR. NFL players require different kinds of handling something Parcells understood. Some need kicking in the rear to get better while others need pats on the back to get it done.

 

[Stash]

He does have attitude problems... But he's still a young guy. He can't change? Guys that have have bad reps as teammates, or hang out with drug dealers, or get arrested can change, but someone whose worst crime is being too cool for school can't? Why is that?

Like I've said before, I'd guarantee you that Jerry knows Matt's family personally. If Matt's dad says, "Jerry, Matt just doesn't really like football and I don't think he ever will", then forget it.

But it's possible that with a little experience he will learn or has learned that making hundreds of thousands of dollars is pretty cool, and you can't do that by playing pickup baskeball or starting a band.

At 25 years old, I think there still room for maturity and growth. I didn't have it all figured out at that age - still don't.

But even if you get the same exact guy who supposedly 'dogs it', that's been good enough to produce more touchdowns in his first three seasons of playing than :

Reggie Wayne
Steve Smith
Plaxico Burress (equal at 13)
Andre Johnson
TJ Houshmanzadeh
Donald Driver
Hines Ward

More than any of these great receivers produced in their respective first three years of playing in the NFL. And the vast majority had the benefit of playing the position in college while Jones did not.

Last time I checked, the team that scores the most touchdowns wins.

 

[InmanRoshi]

He does have attitude problems... But he's still a young guy. He can't change? Guys that have have bad reps as teammates, or hang out with drug dealers, or get arrested can change, but someone whose worst crime is being too cool for school can't? Why is that?

CL, I don't think he's even a bad guy or has a bad attitude. I just don't think he likes playing football. It doesn't matter what line of work you're in, if you don't love what you do it's hard to ever be more than mediocre. It takes extra effort and work to truly be good at anything, and if you don't have a passion for what you do it's almost impossible to put in that commitment. I worked with a guy I thought was the laziest SOB on the face of the earth, but it turned out he was just in the wrong profession. He quit and went to culinary school to become a chef and now the guy owns two restaurants and works 7 days a week.

Matt Jones reminds me of me of Shawn Bradley ... he's an accountant or a laywer or a advertising exec at heart who just happened to hit the genetic lottery. And occasionally he flashes when the coach chews him out and/or kicks him in the butt, but it's manufactured and artificial motivation and it eventually dissipates because it doesn't come from a real place. And of course the Jacksonville coaches might get hard on him ... they've poured their heart and soul into him for the last three years trying to get him to reach his potential, and he still is just as lethargic as he ever was. That makes people resentful. I'm sure it makes his teammates resentful when they're putting in time after practice every day trying to get better, and Jones is the first guy running to the showers.

 

[Stash]

CL, I don't think he's even a bad guy or has a bad attitude. I just don't think he likes playing football. It doesn't matter what line of work you're in, if you don't love what you do it's hard to ever be more than mediocre. It takes extra effort and work to truly be good at anything, and if you don't have a passion for what you do it's almost impossible to put in that time.

He's like Shawn Bradley ... he's an accountant or a laywer or a advertising exec who just happened to hit the genetic lottery. And occasionally he flashes when the coach chews him out and/or kicks him in the butt, but it was all manufactured and artificial motivation, and eventually that of stuff dissipates because it doesn't come from a real place. And of course the Jacksonville coaches might get hard on him ... they've poured their heart and soul into him for the last three years, and he's still just as lethargic as he ever was. That would make anyone resentfull.

Even if what you say is all true (which I disagree with), the fact is that the guy has still managed to do what he's done.

Would you not be frustrated if you lead the team in receiving yet were still somehow not good enough to start the following season?

Would that not affect your attitude?

It would mine.

And does 5 career starts over three seasons say pouring 'heart and soul' into him to you?

It sure doesn't to me.

It speaks more to a lack of opportunity.

 

[dbair1967]

There is, it's his last game of 2007 against Houston.

But everyone wants to 'throw that one out' because Jones played well.

Big surprise, huh?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RwG_4OvDVTA

Enjoy!

maybe they want to throw it out Stash because 1) it was a meaningless final game of a season and Jones played more because Jax benched its better players and 2) Houston was decimated by injuries at the CB position last yr and 3) it was one game...Jones has never had another even remotely close to that

david