Here's the latest on Matt Jones from ESPN Insider, via Scouts Inc. They claim he has "character problems on and off the field." The description of him under "Weaknesses" and "Overall" actually reads more like many black athletes are. Jones is laid back; he's probably incapable offeigning the all-out kamikaze style that all white football players are supposed to affect every single momentbut that doesn't mean he lacks desire or ambition.
Note that this describes him as both a potential QB and as a WR but then states "he's a much better fit" at WR than QB without stating why that is, when earlier we learn he "has a great feel for the passing game," "throws a good deep ball" with accuracy and "is a dual threat at QB who is very difficult to defend because of his mobility and effectiveness as a thrower on the run." Sounds to meexactly like whatthe league keeps hoping to find in black quarterbacks.But even as a WR the best we can hope for is that he will be like Joe Jurevicius. No, we can't compare him to a superstar black wide receiver, only a white one whose career has been limited by injuries and the caste system. It's like saying a black WR prospect with similar mind-boggling measurables can hope someday to be the next Justin McCariens or Travis Taylor.
Flags: (C: CHARACTER) Problems on and off the field
(Y: YOUNG PLAYER) Need more film evaluation
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<TD>Career Totals</TD>
<TD align=middle colSpan=9>Passing</TD>
<TD align=middle colSpan=4>Rushing</TD></TR>
<TR align=right ="col">
<TD align=left>SEASON</TD>
<TD>CMP</TD>
<TD>ATT</TD>
<TD>YDS</TD>
<TD>CMP%</TD>
<TD>YPA</TD>
<TD>TD</TD>
<TD>INT</TD>
<TD>SACK</TD>
<TD>RAT</TD>
<TD>ATT</TD>
<TD>YDS</TD>
<TD>AVG</TD>
<TD>TD</TD></TR>
<TR align=right ="oddrow">
<TD align=left>2004</TD>
<TD>151</TD>
<TD>264</TD>
<TD>2073</TD>
<TD>57.2</TD>
<TD>7.9</TD>
<TD>15</TD>
<TD>12</TD>
<TD>11</TD>
<TD>132.8</TD>
<TD>83</TD>
<TD>622</TD>
<TD>7.5</TD>
<TD>6</TD></TR>
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<TD align=left>2003</TD>
<TD>132</TD>
<TD>230</TD>
<TD>1917</TD>
<TD>57.4</TD>
<TD>8.3</TD>
<TD>18</TD>
<TD>7</TD>
<TD>6</TD>
<TD>147.1</TD>
<TD>96</TD>
<TD>707</TD>
<TD>7.4</TD>
<TD>8</TD></TR>
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<TD align=left>2002</TD>
<TD>122</TD>
<TD>234</TD>
<TD>1592</TD>
<TD>52.1</TD>
<TD>6.8</TD>
<TD>16</TD>
<TD>8</TD>
<TD>20</TD>
<TD>125.0</TD>
<TD>129</TD>
<TD>614</TD>
<TD>4.8</TD>
<TD>5</TD></TR>
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<TD align=left>2001</TD>
<TD>12</TD>
<TD>27</TD>
<TD>275</TD>
<TD>44.4</TD>
<TD>10.2</TD>
<TD>4</TD>
<TD>3</TD>
<TD>2</TD>
<TD>156.7</TD>
<TD>74</TD>
<TD>616</TD>
<TD>8.3</TD>
<TD>5</TD></TR>
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Strengths: Is a very good athlete for his size. He has great height and good bulk for his frame. Also has exceptional speed for his size. He has decent quickness but really accelerates as he runs. He has long strides and seems to be deceptive in his speed. Defenders often come up short on their pursuit angles. As a receiver, his rare combination of size, athleticism and speed present the potential for huge mismatches. He could be a big-time threat in the red zone. He has a great feel for the passing game as a collegiate quarterback. Also has big hands and is much more reliable catching the football than you would think considering his lack of experience. He has good focus and also shows the ability to catch the ball over his head. As a quarterback, he has adequate arm strength. Throws a good deep ball and shows better accuracy and touch on those passes than on short-to-intermediate ones that require more precision and zip. He is a dual threat at QB who is very difficult to defend because of his mobility and effectiveness as a thrower on the run.
Weaknesses: Has a very nonchalant attitude. Not sure if he loves playing the game of football. Looks like he's going through the motions in practice. Lacks experience as a receiver. Needs work in terms of hot reads and zone coverage recognition from WR position. Needs to improve crispness of routes but is a power-forward that will do a good job of using body to box DB's out. Must learn how to block. Doesn't seem overly willing, which is a big concern. As a quarterback, he is too inconsistent as a passer. His accuracy varies and he misses entirely too many targets. He doesn't have great patience in the pocket. Will take off too early and tries to run too much at times. Doesn't have a great feel for reading defenses or picking up "hot" reads. He locks on to his primary target too often and does a poor job of making his check downs. He has adequate but not good arm strength and would struggle to fit the ball into tight spots in the NFL. He also seems uncomfortable inside the pocket and tries to roll outside a lot and get on the move.
Overall: Also a three-year member of the Razorback's basketball team, Jones began his football career at Arkansas as a wide receiver. He split time at quarterback and wide receiver as a freshman in 2001 before taking over as the fulltime starting quarterback in 2002. He has had lingering injuries and he continues to be an inconsistent performer with more of a "sandlot" style than anything. However, Jones did throw for more than 5,500 yards and rush for nearly 2,000 yards as a three year starter at Arkansas. Jones is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2005 draft class because of his versatility and rare combination of physical tools. His nonchalant attitude and seeming lack of hustle drives coaches crazy but he's a much better fit at WR than he is at QB in that regard. Jones will need to put a lot of effort into the position change if he's going to make a successful transition while elevating to the NFL level. He needs to improve his route running skills and consistency in terms of picking up the blitz. He also needs to improve his effort as a backside receiver and as a blocker. Jones will never have great initial quickness but he has exceptional speed for such a big athlete and his hands are much further along than anticipated. In our opinion, Jones has the potential to develop into a weapon as a slot-WR/H-back in the NFL similar to the type of weapon that Joe Jurevicius (Buccaneers) was for Jon Gruden prior to Jurevicius' injuries. We grade Jones out as a third round prospect but when you consider his rare combination of physical tools and the upside he offers at the NFL level, it's not unrealistic to imagine a team taking a chance on Jones in the second round of the upcoming draft.
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Edited by: Don Wassall