Linebacker Jones adapts to inside position
Green Bay - Brad Jones might be the only inside linebacker in the NFL who plays violin. For sure, he's the only inside 'backer who plays violin and studied astrophysics in college.
Jones, in his fourth year with the Green Bay Packers, once envisioned himself flying space missions for NASA.
"But NASA is not even doing manned space flights anymore," he said, "so it's a good thing I didn't go that route."
As for the Big Bang, these days it's the explosion that occurs when Jones meets a running back in the hole.
"Or the quarterback," he said with a laugh. "That's even better."
Jones, 26, is Exhibit A of coach Mike McCarthy's "next man up" philosophy. Starting "Mack" (weak-side) linebacker Desmond Bishop went on injured reserve with a torn hamstring in August, and his replacement, D.J. Smith, suffered a season-ending knee injury Oct. 14 at Houston.
Next up? Jones, who played outside linebacker his first three seasons in Green Bay (13 starts in 35 games) and at the University of Colorado.
"The whole thing about the NFL, actually about life, is that it's kind of about adapting," he said. "I think in my life I've been really good at adapting, being adaptable and making good things out of bad situations. You've got to be adaptable in all facets of life, and football just illuminates that."