We surmised that receiver James Jones would be at or near the top of the list for a new contract after the Green Bay Packers re-signed Desmond Bishop to a long-term deal, but that may not be the case.
Word is, the Packers are debating whether Jones is worth a long-term investment.
The reason isn’t surprising — Jones drops too many balls.
A case in point was Jones’ performance in the Packers’ wild-card victory in Philadelphia. His tough nine-yard catch of a low Aaron Rodgers throw in the corner of the end zone in the second quarter was the type of play that has to make Thompson think Jones could be a decent long-term replacement for the aging Donald Driver as the Packers’ No. 2 receiver. Then again, after Jones dropped what would have been an easy 63-yard TD in the same quarter — two weeks after dropping what would have been a sure 71-yard TD against the Giants — Thompson had to be wondering whether the Packers might be better off just letting Jones move on.
Jones has shown potential — amazing potential, at times — but he’s also shown an inability to consistently hang onto the ball. In addition to dropping passes, he’s also put the ball on the ground. Jones fumbled three times this season and lost one, which helped the Chicago Bears beat the Packers in their first game.
Thompson has to determine if the potential is worth the risk. My bet is he looks elsewhere.
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The kid’s just too talented to let go. If he can hold onto the ball he becomes a solid WR2 / WR1. Besides, how much longer can we expect Driver to play before he retires?
yeah keep him and just up the stick em on his gloves.
I just got a “The Replacements” flash…
Good riddance. If he hasn’t learned to catch the ball by now he never will. MM can claim he has a hand injury but that’s nothing more than a coach covering his player’s ass.
4 catches for 75 yards and a TD against ATL.
Huh, guess he finally learned to catch the ball.
let his ass go, there are always plenty of recievers to pick from in the draft. in our circle he’s known as James “don’t drop me” Jones. He’s fumbled too many times in big games, and dropped to many passes in big games. twice he fumbled in ’07 against the bears in week six, fumbled against the bears earlier this year and if i’m not mistaken the nfc championship against the giants. Let his ass go!
And despite his penchant for fumbling in key situations, I never see him change the ball to his outside hand. That’s the shit I can’t tolerate…the inability to learn from past mistakes.
And one of those three fumbles lead to the season ending injury to Finley. What I wouldn’t give to have him lining up at tight end tomorrow.
Actually Doug it was a fumble by Donald Lee that led to Finley’s injury.
Wow, tell me about
i agree with Rob. keep him for at least one more season, maybe see if we can steal a good receiver in the later rounds of the draft and see how he develops. as much as jones’ drops stand out, jennings and driver have had their fuck ups too. he really is a great 3rd wr, and when finley is back hes pretty much a 4th wr. i hope they keep him, if he doesnt improve next year, boot him.
The real question is would you rather have james jones or jordy nelson as your #2 (when driver hangs it up) ? knowing TT, he will never take a WR who isnt undrafted or dropped from a practice squad out of FA (and why should he) but he may draft a few this year. I really dont know if nelson is really #2 worthy, and i feel the same about jones. Maybe we can conjure up anohter jennings this year from the NCAA.
It really depends on whether he gets other offers or not. That’s why the drop against Philly really helped the Packers’ cause when it comes to resigning him. A drop there in such a big spot will make it more difficult for GMs to throw money at him.
My likeliest scenario at this point would be that the Packers sign him back on a 1 year tender. If he struggles again, he’s gone. If another team offers him a decent multi-year contract, good bye.
TT is due to draft another WR. Expect one in the 2nd – 5th rounds. Maybe even two. Chances of finding a guy just like Donald Driver? – 0.
One big FA move this year, sign Free Agent Larry Fitzgerald. Let JJ go, unless he drops zero more balls and makes catches that put us in the SB. He could stay and be a #3/#4, but even then, Jordy is a better #3 option because he’s more reliable as the #3 WR position in which he’ll get fewer opportunities.
That would be ridiculous! Jennings, Finley, and Fitzgerald! Ya right I know, but I’ll live in my dream world for just a moment.
I don’t think this offense is suited to having one player who commands most of the passes. I like having a lot of very good receiver as opposed to one great one. That way even if the defense puts a Darrelle Revis type corner on the top guy, there’s several other places to throw the ball with a great deal of success. Also don’t want Rodgers having to worry about making sure one player gets the ball thrown his way enough. In conclusion, we don’t need Larry Fitzgerald, that would be a major waste of money.
If fucks up tomorrow then he deserves to be shit on. If he does well and possitively impacts the game then he deserves Kudo’s. Jennings has been guilty of dropping passes ( case in point against the Eagles) but Craig has also made spectacular plays to overshadow the drops. Jordy has fumbled more than he should have and Donald put one on the ground against Duh Bearse. Let’s just see how James does against the Falcons, we still need him out there so don’t jinx him with negativity.
Craig? really? it’s GREG Jennings.
Fuck off error police! Get a life loser!
Yeah! Get larry! :)
James Jones looks like Sterling Sharp -20 on the Wonderlik. Word is that the guy can barely write a complete sentence.
I think James Jones is a very good receiver. I just think Jordy Nelson is better. He’s as fast, taller, a better leaper, has much better (and more consistent) hands, and is just as good (or better) running after the catch. If they do re-sign him, they should place him behind Nelson as the 3 or 4 (depending on the status of Driver, who is at an age where retirement will be a distinct possibility after any season). Either way, I think they should draft a wideout somewhere between the second and fourth rounds in this draft and start developing them like they did with Nelson at first.
So? That doesn’t mean anything. I know what you mean but we could let go of james jones and then get larry and have three or four good recievers. There we go. Not a waste of money sheegan
Let him go, you don’t need a guy with such inconsistent hands on the roster when there are so many other threats. I doubt DD calls it quites, that gives Nelson one more season to develop as a #2.
Jones aint that bad. I remember Antonio Freeman and Robert Brooks used to drop the easy ones at times but make up for it with some impossible catches. I’m not sayin Jones is at that level, but sometimes the easy ones get dropped just because they’re too easy, ya knows what ah mean.