Zero2Cool
15 years ago
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/97825284.html 


Green Bay There were more than 80 players out there this spring and summer and literally dozens of new faces. Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy had to study them all, some on first impressions, everyone in a blur. It's not easy to become distinguishable in a crowd like this.

Yet receivers James Jones and Jordy Nelson managed to separate from the crowd.

"Outstanding off-seasons," said McCarthy during the last Packers minicamp. "If you go through the films, James Jones, just from a production standpoint, probably stands out as one of the top performers through the OTAs. He's gotten a lot of opportunities, particularly in the slot with Donald's absence, and I think he's done a very good job of that."

It's never a bad thing to get praise like that from the head man. Except it was June.

Jones would like to hear it again in November.

He did his best when he got more practice time in veteran receiver Donald Driver's slot spot while Driver rested his 35-year-old knees.

But Jones, heading into his fourth year, wants a lot more than attention.

He wants a 1,000-yard season and a time share in the end zone.

"I have set my goals. I definitely want to have a 1,000-yard season. That comes with opportunity, so we'll see," Jones said. "I always tell myself to shoot for 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns.

"We'll see if the opportunities present themselves. I can't run without the ball."

The tone in Jones' voice wasn't whiny or sarcastic. It was the voice of a realist, and he spoke matter-of-factly.

Jones once again finds himself on a team stocked with talent with the intent to balance the offense between the pass and the run.

That means the hard, cold facts boil down to simple math.

Aaron Rodgers averaged almost 34 pass attempts per game last year, and he always aimed to spread them around his talented receivers, tight ends and even running backs.

So, of Rodgers' 350 completions, 230 went to the top four guys: receivers Driver (70) and Greg Jennings (68) and tight ends Jermichael Finley (55) and Donald Lee (37).

Jones was the fifth option with 32 catches last year, though he got five touchdowns and 440 total yards out of them for a 13.8-yard average.

"We've got so many weapons on this offense I can't really complain if I don't always get the ball," Jones said. "You know what I mean? I have to get the ball in this offense whenever the opportunity presents itself."

That's what Jones' receivers coach, Jimmy Robinson told him, and that's the line Jones is sticking with.

He's not in Rodgers' ear with his goals and won't remind him that he had 47 receptions as a rookie in 2007. Or that he, too, was frustrated in 2008 with injuries that kept him to just 20 catches that year.

Jones won't even consider having a talk with Rodgers, concerned that it might come off like a complaint.

"I may tell him I was open," Jones said, laughing. "But I will never say, 'Throw it to me.' "

It has been suggested that Jones might be a starter on another team. But Jones expects Driver to be the same productive receiver he's been for a decade. And the talent is undeniable in Jennings, a close friend of Jones.

With a locker right next to Nelson, Jones can both commiserate and admire his abilities as well.

Jones and Nelson have had some standout plays this off-season. One of them came on a pass in the red zone. The pass was targeted for Nelson, but Jones made an incredible athletic leap and stole the ball from No. 87 for the completion and touchdown.

"The summer has meant more repetitions, more reps at different positions," Jones said. "When it is me, Greg and Donald in the game, we play different positions and stay at that position. In this camp, with Donald being out, me, Greg and Jordy moved around. Like my coach always tells me, you've got to make the most of your chances. If you get one ball, you better make the play.

"So all I did was go out there and try to control what I can control and make as many plays as I could."

Jones fights hard to remain patient and play his role even as he prepares like a starter.

"Well, you think that but, like I said, I don't want to say that and then end up with 20 catches again for another season," Jones said. "Hopefully you can come to me after maybe Week 5, and I will give you a real good story."

So Jones took a little time off after the minicamp ended June 22, but he's right back to working out and punishing his body in California. It's all he can do for now - keep working hard and counting the days until training camp, when he hopes to turn all this work into production.


UserPostedImage
voiceofreason
15 years ago
I love James Jones. His name has such a strong ring to it, and I'll never forget that preseason touchdown against the Bengals. I'm convinced he will eventually replace Driver, and that he is better than Nelson.
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Mckennj3
15 years ago
The receiving core of this team is going to be a strength for a long time to come. We got james ready to jump in for driver anytime he decides to let his age show, and Nelson in the wings for one of the best 4th receivers in the game. No need to say anything about Finley because he's going to be a beast for years, I'd say if him or Quarless can pickup the blocking scheme well enough then Lee is more then expendable. I'd try moving him for anything you can get at this point. Because at this point there's no way we can carry 3 fb's again.
Thats one hell of a young group to develop together.
We are born naked, wet and hungry. Then things get worse.
blueleopard
15 years ago
Good ol' San Jose State alum.
Danreb Victorio A Believer of Greg Jennings
Greg C.
15 years ago
I'd been hearing praise for Nelson during the off-season, and it's good to hear that Jones is looking good too. Halfway through his rookie season, I thought Jones was going to be a star, then he sort of hit a rookie wall, then he fought through injuries in 2008. Last year was better, but he's dropped too many balls and hasn't made as many big plays as I expected.

I still think he could be a very good player, though, and he would probably do a respectable job in Driver's place if needed.

As voiceofreason mentioned, that preseason TD against the Bengals in 2008 was amazing. The other play that stands out was the long TD against Champ Bailey in Denver in 2007, when he caught the ball around midfield and cut all the way across the field to reach the goal line.
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PackerTraxx
15 years ago
I like both Jones and Nelson. Both have the talent to be stars. They both just have to be more consistent so they can really be counted on.
Why is Jerry Kramer not in the Hall of Fame?
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dfosterf (13-Aug) : The LVN Musgrave collision- Andy Herman said Musgrave seemed to be the one most impacted injury-wise
dfosterf (13-Aug) : a lower back injury
dfosterf (13-Aug) : Doubs says he's "fine" after injury scare. Some reported it as z
Mucky Tundra (13-Aug) : With LVN that is; need to see what happens in the next practice
Mucky Tundra (13-Aug) : beast, reading about what happened, it sounded like one of those "two guys collide and are moving slow afterwards" type of deals
beast (12-Aug) : I believe Musgrave has been injured every single season since at least a Sophomore in highschool
packerfanoutwest (12-Aug) : Matt LaFleur: “Highly unlikely” Jordan Love plays more this preseason
dfosterf (12-Aug) : Doubs, Savion Williams, LVN, Musgrave all banged up to one degree or another, missing one here I forget
Zero2Cool (12-Aug) : RB Tyrion Davis-Price is signing with the Green Bay Packers.
Zero2Cool (12-Aug) : zero help, dominated. preseason
beast (12-Aug) : QB Jordan Love has surgery
beast (12-Aug) : Martha said Morgan had a lot of help, I didn't watch the OL so I can't say.
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers LT Jordan Morgan did not allow a single pressure across 23 pass-blocking snaps vs. Jets last night, per PFF
Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : With buckeye and the reasonable couple, we're currently sitting at 10
buckeyepackfan (10-Aug) : Just posted to re-up on our FFL.
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : If healthy after, then thats all I care. Well, no drops would be nice
wpr (10-Aug) : I made it through the 1st Q.
dfosterf (10-Aug) : Just gotta figure out how.
dfosterf (10-Aug) : Could have been a worse start, so there is that.
beast (10-Aug) : Yeah, someone tell the Packers football season has started, seems like they weren't ready for it
Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : Sooooooo many penalties
Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : It may only be preseason, but this game is a trip to the dentist
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers do bad -- FREAK OUT!!!!!!
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers do good -- eh only preseason
dfosterf (10-Aug) : Well that half was fun
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Great, zayne is down
Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : 13 minutes away from kickkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoffff
Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : Had Celebration of Life for my uncle up north. wicked rain hope it dont come south
Mucky Tundra (9-Aug) : THE GREEN BAY PACKERS ARE PLAYING FOOTBALL TONIGHT!!!!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!
Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : Woo-hoo
TheKanataThrilla (9-Aug) : NFL Network is broadcasting the game tonight, but not in Canada. Not sure why as no local television is showing the game.
beast (8-Aug) : But the Return from IR designations had to be applied by the 53 man cutdown.
beast (8-Aug) : It's a new rule, so it's not clear, but my understanding was that they could be IR'd at any time
Mucky Tundra (8-Aug) : *had to be IRed at 53
Mucky Tundra (8-Aug) : beast, I thought the designate return from IR players had to be IR at cutdowns to 53, not before
beast (8-Aug) : It's a brand new rule, either last season or this season, prior, all pre-season IRs were done for the season
beast (8-Aug) : But the Packers would have to use one for their return from IR spots on him, when they cut down to 53.
beast (8-Aug) : I think the NFL recently changed the IR rules, so maybe the season might not be over for OL Glover.
Zero2Cool (8-Aug) : Packers star Howton, first NFLPA prez, dies at 95 😔
dfosterf (8-Aug) : Apparently it is too complicated for several to follow your simple instructions, but I digress
dfosterf (8-Aug) : Zero- Did you see what I posted about Voice of Reason and his wife? She posted over at fleaflicker that they are both "In"
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : Well, not crazy, it makes sense. Crazy I didn't notice/find it earlier
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : it's crazy how one stored procedure to get data bogged everything down for speed here
dfosterf (7-Aug) : to herd cats or goldfish without a bowl. They reminded me of the annual assembly of our fantasy league
dfosterf (7-Aug) : out on a field trip, outfitting them with little yellow smocks. Most of the little folk were well behaved, but several were like trying
dfosterf (7-Aug) : Yesterday my wife and I spent the afternoon on the waterfront here in Alexandria, Va. A daycare company took about 15 three/four year olds
wpr (7-Aug) : seems faster. yay
dfosterf (7-Aug) : Wife of reason posted on the in/out thread on fleaflicker that both she and vor are in
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : This page was generated in 0.135 seconds.
Mucky Tundra (7-Aug) : Tbh, I can never tell the difference in speed unless it's completely shitting the bed
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