That is all.. Jones is a productive player overall. And to say that one player was being
thrown away from in this offense in a small sample size isn't prudent IMO.. from game to game they singled out matchups and attacked them across the season. Ebb and flow of the offense verse the defense and weakness against the coverage.. IMO.. the beauty of the offense.
I agree with you 93z.
Frankly, people have extremely short memories. Yes Jones' drops against the Eagles and Steelers, for example, were likely to be touchdowns. He's also made some pretty impressive catches - check out the TD he scored against the Pats and the back shoulder fade he had lat in the fourth Q. of the superbowl to keep a scoring drive going. That's not to say Jones can't get better at reducing drops, but some people think he is disposable, and I'm not so sure...
Jones often occupies the outside receiver positions in 3 and 4 WR sets. That's a tough job, because you're not getting as free a release as you would if you played the slot, and often the outside guys become decoys to attract coverage so the slot guys (see Jennings, Finley) can get more space to operate.
Jones has shown pretty impressive separation and use of his body while being asked to play outside WR. I'll say it again (and please do go look at the video of the past season who is critical of Jones ability to be a top wideout) that if you focus on Jones' play, you'll be quite surprised. He gets separation against some pretty fast CBs. He is almost always in position to make a play on the ball. He is built big and uses his body well.
On this team, where you have Jennings, Finley and potentially Cobb to play out of the slot, you need guys who can function on the top. Jones can do that. IMO the biggest issue, however, isn't that Jones is going to be a free agent who is going to command more money - realistically, there are other bigger name receivers in the market that will prevent Jones from getting a contract that is ridiculously overpriced, IMO - it's that there may not be space for him on this roster. Jennings is the star of the group, and as last year showed you have to highlight him (please do not forget him, McCarthy, like the first few games of the season). Finley has all the tools to dominate. Jordy had a coming out party in the Superbowl, you figure he will get more snaps. Cobb adds versatility that no other player does. Quarless and DJ Williams both have skills that play to the passing game. And you expect Driver will be itching to prove to some people that he can still be productive.
That's a pretty crowded mix at receiver. I would love to have Jones back - he comes off pretty impressive in film that you think he would make a good starter - but I'm not sure if there is space on this team to feature Jones. I'm not sure Jones is going to be itching to come back into that crowded of a mix, and frankly it may be that the Packers don't have room for Jones to return.
I'm not sure if I'd agree with A-Rod that Jones is priority #1 - I'd say it's getting Jenkins back - but I'd definitely love to re-sign Jones.
Oh, and get Nnamdi Asomugha. A backfield of Tramon, C-Wood, and Nnamdi? With Collins as Safety? *drools*
The NFL: Where Greg Jennings Happens.