If you look at just the sacks from Jones.. you are going to be disappointed.
But if you look at his overall game.. especially setting the edge and holding it well.. then you start to see the complete picture on this kid.
"pack93z" wrote:
Actually, Jones numbers last season indicated he had some value as a pass-rusher. He was asked to drop back in coverage / rush the passer pretty evenly, and showed something. Clay, in most of his snaps is asked to rush, and given his talent you expect results (he has not disappointed). But Jones got results last year too, even if they weren't eye-popping they were respectable in terms of sacks and pressures (I'd cite the exact number but PFF has changed to subscription oriented websites, and I'm too lazy right now to look for where I posted his stats from PFF when it was still free).
This year, however, he has started 5 of the team's 7 games. In the time he has played - outside of last two weeks - he was not setting the edge or holding up at the point of attack well. Last week he was good, and this week he not only did his job but got at least 2 pressures by my count (including the hit that broke Favre's ankle 😃 ). This is what I expected from Brad Jones, not just in terms of terms of run support but also in terms of some pass-rush.
He is finally getting there. As Rock pointed out, he is playing going against a slightly different breed of Tackle. As you also mentioned, 93z, he is coming off injuries. A big issue with him has been his availability, and I believe McCarthy appointed Zombo a starter in large part because of frustration over Jones' availability.
I guess what I am trying to say is that there may certainly be reasons outside of his immediate control for his struggles. That is a fair point, and one I did not consider. He did not do as well as I hoped he would to begin the season, but is certainly turning it on now. That is a most welcome sight to see.
So I suppose my strong criticism of him was a bit misguided, seeing as he managed to fracture Favre's ankle in two places when he hit him. 😃 Huge disappointment was a wrong way of putting it, I now think, but his play had been disappointing. It is finally showing positives now, which is a pleasant sight.
The NFL: Where Greg Jennings Happens.