An article brings more evidence of how the Jags were partly to blame regarding the play and maligning of Jones last season for a mere 3 drops or so. I hope some other team picks Jones up after he serves his impending suspension for coke and goes through rehab. This is just a shame. I truly believe if Jones got with a QB who was good at throwing down field and believed in him, he could become a Pro-bowl caliber player. Here is the article:
Wasted talent? Bucky Brooks > INSIDE THE NFL
Matt Jones' recent arrest will likely end his disappointing tenure with the Jaguars. The former first-round pick never developed into the big play receiver the team envisioned, and his inability to transfer his outstanding athleticism into production was surprising to several league observers. "He is a phenomenal talent," said an AFC scout. "It's hard to find an athlete with his size, and combination of physical skills. It's a shame to see a talent like that wasted."
As one of the top athletes in his draft class, Jones had most observers thinking he would have an instant impact as a red zone receiver for the Jags. With nine touchdowns in his first two seasons, Jones appeared to be on his way to becoming the impact receiver the Jaguars envisioned when they selected him with the 21st pick. However, he appeared to regress last season, and his questionable work habits led the team to reduce his role. "He is such a great athlete that the game has always come so easy to him," said a Jaguars' official. "But he needs to improve his work ethic if he wants to be successful in this league."
Although Jones' career has been plagued by inconsistencies, some scouts believe the Jags haven't done enough to tap into his potential. "He was a former college quarterback and basketball player who is still relatively new to the position," said an AFC scout. "Yet, they put him in the slot and have him run routes over the middle. That is a big adjustment for a kid who has never been hit."
While the Jaguars attempted to exploit mismatches by placing Jones in the slot against smaller sub-package players, his imposing size and leaping ability makes him a more viable threat on the outside or in the red zone. By using Jones on the perimeter, the Jaguars would have been able to create a number of favorable jump ball situations for Jones on an assortment of fades and fade-stops. In addition, the use of Jones on the outside would allow the team to take advantage of his speed on vertical routes off play-action.
Regardless of whether Jones has been used correctly or not, the fact he has only five career starts and has been maddeningly inconsistent throughout his career left him squarely on the bubble even before his recent brush with the law. The team's offseason additions of Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson upgraded the talent of the receiving corps, and they join key contributors, Reggie Williams and Dennis Northcutt, ahead of Jones on the depth chart. Thus, Jones enters camp locked in a battle with Mike Walker, John Broussard and others for the final roster spot.
Unless the ultra-talented Jones dazzles during the preseason, the odds are against him suiting up for the Jaguars in 2008.
Bucky Brooks played for five NFL teams in a six-year playing career and spent seven seasons as a college scout for the Seahawks and Panthers
