They knew he was a tweener when they drafted him. Least they could do is use him properly.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

Tweener often = BUST

Nick Perry = BUST (hate typing that as I was really fired up about his selection)

Datone Jones = BUST (recall he started out quite promising but hurt his ankle and never returned anywhere to what some thought he could be in the beginning)

GM's really gamble when they try converting players at the NFL level. The draft, itself, is a gamble enough without adding the secondary gamble of a tweener into a role he wasn't in previously.

Originally Posted by: uffda udfa 

I think it's a little early to consider him a bust. The guy has only been in the league two years. If he doesn't show improvement this year, I'll be okay with calling him a bust

Originally Posted by: Bigbyfan 

I think it's a little early to consider him a bust. The guy has only been in the league two years. If he doesn't show improvement this year, I'll be okay with calling him a bust

Originally Posted by: Bigbyfan 

Tweener often = BUST

Nick Perry = BUST (hate typing that as I was really fired up about his selection)

Datone Jones = BUST (recall he started out quite promising but hurt his ankle and never returned anywhere to what some thought he could be in the beginning)

GM's really gamble when they try converting players at the NFL level. The draft, itself, is a gamble enough without adding the secondary gamble of a tweener into a role he wasn't in previously.

Originally Posted by: uffda udfa 

Nick Perry is an undersized 4-3 defensive end. He has no position in the NFL. I don't even know what you want to call Datone Jones. I hate this 3-4 defense we play. We have never come close to the bookend OLB's you need to play it properly. We can't find the anchor nose tackle either.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 

Most college players are NFL tweeners. Very few have the smarts, experience in the system or bodies to excel as in NFL as they are, it's all about projection of their ability to play football and talent. Bobby Wagner played MLB at 215-220, projecting him to an NFL MLB is little different than projecting DE Perry and either fattening him up or slimming him down to play 3-4 DE or OLB respectively. Now onto Jones:

Jones in shorts looks like Peppers, he’s got some freakish athletic physical talent. But his rookie year made one wonder if he’d bust.

In year 2 Jones did take that 1-2nd year leap and anyone thinking otherwise is simply incapable of comparing his 2013 to 14 play by watching the game. He elevated his game to solidly average: below average against the run; solidly above average rushing the passer.

In 2013, he only played 37 snaps against the run, in 2014 Capers let him play about 1/3 of his snaps against the run, which shows they had more confidence in him in that area. In 2014, per the Outsiders he played 314/28.7% of the snaps. And had 25 tackles, 6 missed tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks, 17 hurries, 1 INT, 2 passes defensed, 10 stops. Per snap, these are stats close to Daniels’!!!!! Moreover, Tone has been hampered by ankle injuries both years; so one must imagine were he’d be if those injuries did not slow his development. If Jones stays healthy, plays a full season and makes the same jump he made from yr 1 to 2, he’s a borderline all-pro to solid all-pro. If he takes full advantage of his athleticism and continues to mature as a player; he could become a dominant player in years 4 or 5.

Of course, he might simply be glass. But more concerning is Tone is a very emotional player. If his production is a result of emotional adrenaline; if he plays more snaps, his production could actually go down [Ala Casey Merrill]. There is a huge difference between getting the adrenaline flowing for 2-300 snaps and 7-800. But, if his emotions are interfering with his play; then as he matures and controls and channels those emotions more efficiently, his play could get better exponentially.

I think Jones will take that 3rd leap to above average to borderline all-pro in 2015. The problem with the DL fatties of 2011-13 is that when the O passed, we got no pass rush. Now with a renewed Raji, Jones and Daniels in the base, we can both be stout against the run and pass rush; we’ll be playing more base in 2015. And the depth of Boyd, Pennell and Guion, our DL will be a strength. Also, the foursome of Neal, Peppers, Jones and CM3 [left to right] was outstanding in the Champ game at doing a fierce, but controlled rush to keep Wilson’s legs in check.

Originally Posted by: Barfarn 

Most college players are NFL tweeners. Very few have the smarts, experience in the system or bodies to excel as in NFL as they are, it's all about projection of their ability to play football and talent. Bobby Wagner played MLB at 215-220, projecting him to an NFL MLB is little different than projecting DE Perry and either fattening him up or slimming him down to play 3-4 DE or OLB respectively. Now onto Jones:

Jones in shorts looks like Peppers, he’s got some freakish athletic physical talent. But his rookie year made one wonder if he’d bust.

In year 2 Jones did take that 1-2nd year leap and anyone thinking otherwise is simply incapable of comparing his 2013 to 14 play by watching the game. He elevated his game to solidly average: below average against the run; solidly above average rushing the passer.

In 2013, he only played 37 snaps against the run, in 2014 Capers let him play about 1/3 of his snaps against the run, which shows they had more confidence in him in that area. In 2014, per the Outsiders he played 314/28.7% of the snaps. And had 25 tackles, 6 missed tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks, 17 hurries, 1 INT, 2 passes defensed, 10 stops. Per snap, these are stats close to Daniels’!!!!! Moreover, Tone has been hampered by ankle injuries both years; so one must imagine were he’d be if those injuries did not slow his development. If Jones stays healthy, plays a full season and makes the same jump he made from yr 1 to 2, he’s a borderline all-pro to solid all-pro. If he takes full advantage of his athleticism and continues to mature as a player; he could become a dominant player in years 4 or 5.

Of course, he might simply be glass. But more concerning is Tone is a very emotional player. If his production is a result of emotional adrenaline; if he plays more snaps, his production could actually go down [Ala Casey Merrill]. There is a huge difference between getting the adrenaline flowing for 2-300 snaps and 7-800. But, if his emotions are interfering with his play; then as he matures and controls and channels those emotions more efficiently, his play could get better exponentially.

I think Jones will take that 3rd leap to above average to borderline all-pro in 2015. The problem with the DL fatties of 2011-13 is that when the O passed, we got no pass rush. Now with a renewed Raji, Jones and Daniels in the base, we can both be stout against the run and pass rush; we’ll be playing more base in 2015. And the depth of Boyd, Pennell and Guion, our DL will be a strength. Also, the foursome of Neal, Peppers, Jones and CM3 [left to right] was outstanding in the Champ game at doing a fierce, but controlled rush to keep Wilson’s legs in check.

Originally Posted by: Barfarn 

It's so strange but all I can think about it after reading this is... What was this guy thinking and possibly saying after Ahmad Carroll's rookie season or Jamal Reynolds? Your postings on players always skew to best case scenarios...Richard Rodgers, and now "Tone". "Borderline All Pro in 2015"????? You love going out on those limbs. I'll say that it's far more likely he relegates himself to the bust category and is a one contract Packer like Derek Sherrod.

Originally Posted by: uffda udfa