A Potential Falcons Free Agent: James Jones

by Dave Choate on Feb 9, 2011 7:30 PM EST in Editorial

In my continuing quest to bring you free agents the Falcons could sign but that none of you really like, I present current Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones.

As I see Jones, he's somewhat of a Roddy White Lite. On the plus side, he's got good size at 6'1" and 208 pounds, has a knack for getting open and has shown the ability to make a handful of explosive plays a game. On the minus side of things, Jones isn't known as a particularly crisp route runner or a guy who gives 110% on every play, and he's got a chronic case of dropsy. Are you sold yet?

I'm a firm believer that the right situation can bring out the best in guys like Jones, who have all the talent in the world but haven't delivered on the promise. Roddy's been down that road and can talk to Jones, and the locker room atmosphere the Falcons have can only be a plus. Also, on Green Bay Jones is at best the third fiddle in the receiving corps. If he came to Atlanta, the Falcons would be likely to give him a shot outside White, which would be fantastic motivation.

And even with the knocks on him, Jones reeled in 50 catches for 679 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2010, numbers better than Michael Jenkins (41, 505, 2) put up. I know Jones is doing that in a much more pass-heavy offense, but my point is that the potential is there. I see him as being an upgrade, one that would allow the Falcons to move Jenkins into the slot/alternate the two receivers outside, experiment with Harry Douglas more as a weapon and keep Kerry Meier around as a project. Then, as some have suggested, you can continue to bolster the defense through the draft.

I don't expect this to be the most popular potential signing, but please weigh in. Let's discuss.

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by Ball Hawk on Feb 9, 2011 7:34 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Malcom Floyd anyone?

I liked what I saw of Jones in their regular season game against us and throughout the playoffs but he didn’t strike me as a guy who would burn you with his speed or game-breaking abilities. Interesting but I would prefer someone else.

Malcom Floyd anyone?

by saipol on Feb 9, 2011 7:35 PM EST reply actions

Malcolm is a FF beast.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Feb 9, 2011 7:54 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Yes!!!!

I followed a few of his games last year, was impressed, drafted him this year and wasn’t disappointed.

by saipol on Feb 9, 2011 8:52 PM EST up reply actions

Floyd's number are worse than Jenkins

except for yards per catch. If you want a fast guy with worse hands he’s your man.

by mwalex on Feb 10, 2011 12:26 AM EST up reply actions

Boom goes the dynamite!

by KMarch on Feb 10, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

You're right

I, for one, don’t like it. I don’t think James Jones is what the Falcons need as the starting outside receiver opposite of Roddy White. I would prefer a speed guy and a deep threat.

However, I will say that you do make a strong argument for Jones’ case.

by Reid Adair on Feb 9, 2011 7:39 PM EST reply actions

I like how James Jones had the dropsies in every game but the Falcons playoff game -____-

by Speedytosin on Feb 9, 2011 7:46 PM EST reply actions

James Jones? - NO F***ING WAY

Move Jenkins to the slot – ABSOLUTELY. Sign Sidney Rice, Brad Smith, or Malcom Floyd… or really bite the bullet and trade up for AJ Green who will be an “explosive” talent for ten plus years.

Then get a new OC.

by Bobby Falcon on Feb 9, 2011 7:57 PM EST reply actions

did he miss 5 games too?

His #‘s aren’t that impressive but he’d be an upgrader over douglas. I’ll pass tho and hope 4 better

by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Feb 9, 2011 8:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Brad Smith isn’t a wide receiver, at least he wasn’t in ‘10 (4 receptions). 19 receptions in ’09 and ’08 combined. He’s not a potential number 2.

James Jones ’10 DVOA: -3.9 percent (87 passes)
Sidney Rice ’10 DVOA: -1.5 percent (42 passes)
Malcom Floyd ’10 DVOA: 9.1 percent

James Jones ’10 Catch Percent: 57 percent
Sidney Rice ’10 Catch Percent: 40 percent
Malcom Floyd ’10 Catch Percent: 48 percent

Jones was thrown to by Rodgers (66.2 percent completion percentage). Rice was thrown to (for the most part) by Favre (61.1 percent completion percentage). Floyd was thrown to by Rivers (66.4 percent completion percentage). If we’re worried about signing someone afflicted with the dropsies, Jones seems like the best option (out of those three) in my opinion.

by James Rael on Feb 9, 2011 8:25 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah

I’d be worried that Floyd’s numbers were almost completely a product of that SD “system”. He’s a tall guy – they throw deep a lot. He’s not an upgrade over Jenkins.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on Feb 10, 2011 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

Floyd had 77 passes ...

Which makes him somewhat more attractive than Jones in the grand scheme of things (i.e., if we look past his ’10 catch percentage).

by James Rael on Feb 9, 2011 8:26 PM EST reply actions

/reply fail

by James Rael on Feb 9, 2011 8:26 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting thought

I’m glad to see everyone is pretty much agreeing on Jenkins not being a #2 receiver. He may have been drafted like one but he isn’t a #2 and will never be that. Now, I like the idea but I’m not sure we’ll be able to afford him considering it will probably take a decent amount more then GB will offer him to get him to leave unless GB goes another direction. I’d really like to see us move up and get Julius Jones at the #12 or #13 spot if he is still available. I think with a little work he’ll be every bit the receiver that Green is.

by RJ34 on Feb 9, 2011 8:44 PM EST reply actions

Everybody who is championing for a deep threat

I would like one, too, but I feel like you’re ignoring the fact that a deep threat is inevitably going to be underutilized in this offense. I’d rather have somebody like Jones who can pop through a tackle than a speedy guy who might get open 30 yards downfield and watch Ryan fire a five yard bullet to Tony Gonzalez.

by Dave Choate on Feb 9, 2011 9:45 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Well said Dave

Throw in the fact that unless Ryan is doing some serious strength excersises for his arm, he just doesn’t have the gun to get it 60 yards downfield accurately or without putting a ton of air under it. Even the threat of a legit deep ball would push those safeties back and open up the bread and butter short and mid stuff but I think at best we’ll be getting our usual 1 deep ball out of bounds a game next season. Though I really do hope MM sees just how bland his playbook was and tosses in a few herbs and spices.

by aces666high on Feb 9, 2011 10:07 PM EST up reply actions

What is it with the 60 yard passes?

Those aren’t going to help anything because of the % completion when going that deep. ATL needs a WR, or WR’s, that can get separation between 15 and 20 yards down the field. A “legit” deep threat is one that get’s completed and those 60 yarders just don’t get it done.

by mwalex on Feb 10, 2011 12:23 AM EST up reply actions

What it is mwalex is it gives an opposing D something else to worry about

I don’t want this team to be a pass happy bunch of loons flinging bombs downfield but right now do u thunk the opposition even thinks we’re gonna toss anything downfield? I agree we do need another wideout who knows how to get open mid range but w/those safeties pushed back a yard or two for a possible deep ball, he may have that extra second or two to pick up that extra 5-6 yards. It’s just a thought my man, I know it isn’t gonna happen.

by aces666high on Feb 10, 2011 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

How bout lance moore?????

I like James jones and I think he would fit in more so if we upgrade him to # 2 WR n Jenkins slot. Then we wouldn’t be stuck on those 3rd and 7s. I jus hope we do good in FA

by Dirtybird909 on Feb 9, 2011 10:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Based on just stats Jones is not an appreciable upgrade

over MJ12. No need to sign a WR that is so similar to MJ12.

by mwalex on Feb 10, 2011 12:20 AM EST reply actions

Is speed really what we need??

Even if the Falcons got a speed receiver I’m not so sure they would use him properly LOL. We need a solid third WR whether you want to put him in the slot or make him the number 2. Harry Douglas needs to step up but has not, I realize he had an injury but I’m concerned with his lack of physicality…he’s an IR waiting to happen with those frail limbs. The fact of the matter is both White and Jenks were 4.4 forty guys coming out of college. Jenks ran a 4.4 forty at his Pro Day. The coaches say they want to throw the ball down field I just don’t believe them. Matt Ryan told all of us what to expect at the beginning of the 2010 season. He said he had been watching a lot of tape on Manning and Brady and like the way they used the short pass, this is just what you are going to get from a Matt Ryan type QB….ball control offense, he needs a lot of weapons around him for him to excel and he lacks the arm strength to be accurate throwing the ball long distances. So IMO a speed WR would only be miss used. What we really need is another solid weapon at the WR position then if we go 4 deep Douglas lines up against dime corners and has a better opportunity to make plays.

by Kushion on Feb 10, 2011 12:29 AM EST reply actions

That has been a point of debate for months.

I don’t think is has as much to do with Ryan as MM schemes. The only way to find out is put a speed WR out there and see how he get’s used.

by mwalex on Feb 10, 2011 12:37 AM EST up reply actions

Bottom line

Do I think James Jones is an upgrade over Harry Douglas. Yes

by Kushion on Feb 10, 2011 12:39 AM EST reply actions

I think he's also an upgrade over Michael Jenkins

But as mwalex pointed out, I don’t have a ton of ammunition to support that. I’ve seen both play and I’m reasonably confident in my opinion, though.

by Dave Choate on Feb 10, 2011 12:50 AM EST up reply actions

Hey man, you gotta run with your gut sometimes

by mwalex on Feb 10, 2011 1:03 AM EST up reply actions

on second thought

The packers are the team to beat and will be a problem for years. What better way to beat the packers then to have insight from a packer….. Upgrade over douglas

by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Feb 10, 2011 7:39 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Jenks has shed the Dropsie bug.

There, I said it. I think Jenks has become the receiver he was meant to be: tall enough, tough enough, and JUST BARELY fast enough. I don’t think Jones would be the answer at #2… his success at GB has been BECAUSE he was their #3, so he was being covered by the Cris Owenses of the world.

by Mnemonic on Feb 10, 2011 8:37 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Why Not??

I would like the Falcons to go after a more prolific receiver and there are some available. At the top of my list is Steve Smith of the Panthers. Carolina is looking for a complete overhaul and is missing a 2nd round pick. Most analysts think Smith can be had for a 3rd or 4th round pick. Smith could be our next John Abraham and revive his career in our system as we have shown the ability to nurture older players. I get giddy thinking of White and Smith on the wings with Jenkins as our third option.
A more distant possibility is Larry Fitzgerald of the Cardinals. He would be an unbelievable pick up.

by Grakas on Feb 10, 2011 9:22 AM EST reply actions

Steve Smith from Carolina would be a bad mistake

He is a disruptive person and not a team player. That would be as bad, or worse that, adding TO to the team.

Steve Smith from the NYG is a different story all together.

by mwalex on Feb 10, 2011 9:55 AM EST up reply actions

Grakas, I like the way you think.

I would like to have a Steve Smith type of player but 1) there is no way they trade him to someone in their division and 2) I’ve heard that he can be disruptive (ie breaking his cornerback’s jaw a couple of years ago). Though I think he’s a talent, I don’t believe they’ll pick him up if he’s available.

by Fear Me on Feb 10, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

Roddy and Jenks have success in our system

b/c they are precise on their routes. Maybe JJ could get better at that if they brought him in, but if he didn’t we could be looking at another HD. Matty and HD never got on the same page, b/c HD didn’t do a good job of running routes this year. We’ve all seen that Matt releases the ball well before a WRs break, counting on him to get to that designated spot. Roddy and Jenks own those deep outs, and Jenks is our best skinny post WR.

If we couldn’t get JJ in here early to work on timing and precise routes, I say look elsewhere. Or better yet, someone get in HD’s damn ear.

by KMarch on Feb 10, 2011 12:55 PM EST reply actions