Why was Byron Jones rated so low before the combine?

[windjc]

There isn't a lot of tape on Byron. But the tape there is lines up with the NFL.com analysis that leaves something to be desired.

My concerns are

A. Byron's balance. He seems to fall down a lot. You cannot do this in the league. He movements on slants and across field don't seem to be sharpe.
B. It seems to take a while for him to hit full speed. I am not sure how fast he is off the blocks. You can see this in his track sprints. Amazing closing speed, but slower initial burst.
C. Tenacity. When I compare Byron's tape to Trae, for example, Byron doesn't seem to have a lot of big hits, break ups or intensity. Now, one could argue that people just didn't throw his way. But Byron doesn't always look like a CB when he is in motion. He looks like a really small linebacker in some ways - as far as body movement.
D. Attitude. Trae and Johnson seem to have that traditional CB swagger. Byron seems to play with a "smile."

Not saying this kid can't be coached up to be nasty and big time - some might say Calvin Johnson plays with a "smile" too. But I do have some concerns about Byron's instincts and playing style at the moment.

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

There isn't a lot of tape on Byron. But the tape there is lines up with the NFL.com analysis that leaves something to be desired.

My concerns are

A. Byron's balance. He seems to fall down a lot. You cannot do this in the league. He movements on slants and across field don't seem to be sharpe.
B. It seems to take a while for him to hit full speed. I am not sure how fast he is off the blocks. You can see this in his track sprints. Amazing closing speed, but slower initial burst.
C. Tenacity. When I compare Byron's tape to Trae, for example, Byron doesn't seem to have a lot of big hits, break ups or intensity. Now, one could argue that people just didn't throw his way. But Byron doesn't always look like a CB when he is in motion. He looks like a really small linebacker in some ways - as far as body movement.
D. Attitude. Trae and Johnson seem to have that traditional CB swagger. Byron seems to play with a "smile."

Not saying this kid can't be coached up to be nasty and big time - some might say Calvin Johnson plays with a "smile" too. But I do have some concerns about Byron's instincts and playing style at the moment.

The smile/swagger issue isn't as big if the kid has confidence, and can keep it after a bad play. Guys like Claiborne and Jenkins before him seemed to get frustrated when things weren't going well as opposed to forgetting it and focusing on next play, like Scandrick is able to do now. If he's smiling and still playing tight after a catch vs him, then thats fine. Claiborne was trying to be edgy and mouthy last year but he was still getting beat and emotionally fragile

 

[mattjames2010]

There's very little tape on Jones because he was locked down his man often, the stats prove this. I don't think he's as "raw" as some analysts have said, he's about as "raw" as every other first round CB I've seen come into the league.

All we can go by is how he produced in college, and he produced well. His athleticism and him going off the charts in some of the combine routines is just a huge plus.

 

[AdamJT13]

Got a link?

Also:

http://cowboyszone.com/threads/kipers-top-10-by-position-10-15-14.304138/

In October, Kiper had Jones ranked 10th among cornerbacks -- or ninth among those in this draft, given that Eric Murray decided not to declare for the draft. Being the ninth cornerback puts you roughly late in the second round (10 corners were taken in the first two rounds).

 

[dallasdave]

I didn't know that many CB's were ranked ahead of him.

 

[dallasdave]

I'm up in the air on him and I'll explain why.

He really was an un-known player to me until closer to the draft and I started seeing him on Mocks and in different articles. I'm not a fan of guys that don't play against good competition week in and out at the college level... I like guys from Major conferences and big time programs more than guys like Jones. But that's just my personal preference.... nothing factual to base that off of... just the way I am. Anyway, that is one check against him in my book. Second, I don't care for anyone that "shows up" on draft boards after the combine... "Work out Warriors" don't have a great track record in the NFL. so that's another check against him in my book.

BUT

from the video I've seen of him, he looks alright. He sounds like a "worker" and a "studier" of the game which is a plus for a CB in the NFL. I think that the position is as much about film study as it is about measurable. (The greats have both!) I've heard comparisons to Devin McCourty and from what I've seen I'd say they are pretty fair. He will probably start out as a CB for us and move to FS in a few years.

Bottom line is, I actually trust the guys making the call now (I really don't think it's Jerrah and hasn't been for awhile now) and will give them the benefit of the doubt. Seems like a nice pick in the late first round.

Great post

 

[Chuck 54]

It's all about fit.

There's no question there were 3 CBs ahead of him. But they all had certain warts as well...there were no true blue chip, can't miss CBs this year, and where they were selected proves that. Whether Jones ends up at CB or FS down the road, it seems he fits what Rod wants to do, play zone. Fans continue to talk about shut down, press corners though that's not really what Rod wants to play traditionally. Historically, he wants guys who play facing the QB, not giving up big plays, reacting when the ball is in the air.

 

[morasp]

Strengths
Extremely smart and instinctive on the field. Shows above-average anticipation of routes. Is able to sniff out rub routes and works to avoid them. Flashes recovery speed downfield and gets head around to find ball and make a play on it. Uses instincts and adequate closing burst to disrupt the catch. Generally reliable tackler. Team captain and leader on the field and in the locker room. Scouts say he's willing to play hurt and inspires his teammates.

Weaknesses
Plays with high center of gravity. Has difficulty gearing down quickly and changing directions. Doesn't always play with feet under him. Will lose balance and footing too often. Not a quick-twitch athlete. Feet show noticeable stall before firing forward out of backpedal. Willing to tackle but not a physical player. Suffered season-ending shoulder injury in seventh game of 2014 season.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/byron-jones?id=2552568

He has good instincts but he's slow in transition. You could see it against ECU. If he doesn't get better teams in the NFL will throw on him all day and if he tries to compensate by jumping routes they'll go deep on him.

 

[Sydla]

I haven't read a ton on Jones but has there been any indication from the front office where he's starting? CB or FS?

 

[BAT]

Hey, part of the draft is projecting upside.

We did it with D. Ware and look how it turned out.

D Ware was always going to be a first rounder, he rose up from the bottom of the first to the upper middle. Jones moved up several rounds from a mid-late rounds to the first, huge difference. That said, I am rooting for him, he is a Cowboy now.

 

[DC Cowboy]

This article was written in February:
http://www.theuconnblog.com/2015/2/...combine-nfl-draft-profile-2015-uconn-football



Does this concern anyone? His combine numbers jumped him from a late round CB to a 1st rounder. From what I have seen in his limited youtube video clips, he didn't seem that impressive to me. There are some choice quotes from that article.

He may lack "instincts" as some have said but his has the physical tools. What he needs to do now is get in the film room and study like say "Richard Sherman". Educate himself and let his physical abilities take over from there.

 

[SportsGuru80]

The shoulder injury hurt is projections

 

[DC Cowboy]

Best we have is Bob McGinn's small writeup that is based on him talking to real scouts and looking at it it just doesn't seem like a very big sample size to me:

5. BYRON JONES, Connecticut (6-0 ½, 199. 4.42, 1-2): Started at FS in 2011-'12 before moving to CB in 2013-'14. "Blew up the combine," one scout said. "You see those things on the field. Really good movement skills. He played better in press." Finished with 223 tackles (3 ½ for loss), eight picks and 18 PBUs. His broad jump of 12-3 probably was longer than any player's in NFL annals. Also posted a vertical jump of 44½ and had 33 on the Wonderlic. "Doesn't play as well as he works out," said a second scout. "Doesn't have great instincts. Little stiff at the top. But all those big long guys are in vogue now because all the receivers are 6-8." Underwent shoulder surgery (labrum) near midseason. "No, he can't cover," a third scout said. "I don't think he's got the feel." From New Britain, Conn.

Richard Sherman's draft analysis from the combine:
Sherman is a size prospect with some good intangibles that will help him mold into a contributing backup corner for a press-heavy team. However, he does not possess the natural coverage instincts, fluidity or burst to be considered a future starter. Is comfortable and capable in press man, using his size to disrupt receivers' releases off the line, but doesn't show enough make up speed to consistently recover when beaten. Awareness in zone and off-man are only adequate. Has average ball skills but some upside as a playmaker. Tough against the run but still developing from a technical standpoint. Sherman is a Day 3 prospect.