James Jones may as well be doing his Rodney Dangerfield impression right now. He’s getting no respect.
Early on in free agency, the Detroit Lions and New York Jets were supposedly interested in Jones. They ended up signing other receivers. Golden Taint and Eric Decker, to be exact.
And since then… crickets. As far as we know, Jones hasn’t even visited a team since free agency began.
Now he’s literally begging for a job. Over the weekend, Jones was forced to publicly state how much he’d like to play with Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.
Why?
Because last year’s NFC South champs have been gutted at receiver. They released Steve Smith, lost Brandon LaFell to the Patriots and Ted Ginn to the Cardinals.
Who do they have left to line up out wide? We couldn’t even tell you and we’re guessing neither could they. So clearly Carolina has an opening for a receiver and therefore Jones had to remind them that he’s still available.
Whether they sign him or not is another story.
What we don’t get is why no one is interested in Jones. This happened the last time he was a free agent in 2011 too. That eventually led him back to the Packers and a bargain of a deal (for the Packers).
The difference this time around is Jones has gone from mistake-prone deep threat to reliable playmaker. He led the NFL in touchdown catches in 2012. He had all of two drops in 2013 while setting a career high in receiving yards. He’s a team-first guy who plays through injury.
And nobody, the Green Bay Packers included, want to give James Jones the time of day.
Something’s wrong here. Jones deserves better.
Perhaps the Packers think they have better options already on the roster? Perhaps they are just looking to get cheaper at the position since they know Cobb and Nelson and get the big stacks of cash?
Personally I think it is a mistake to let him go. You can never have too many weapons for QB like Rodgers. I mean look what happened to Cobb this last year. One injury and poof there goes your depth.
Jones deserves better than this.
I think that they should (and possibly will) bring him back. I also think that he will be great to have on the roster.
It doesn’t make sense. I’d take Jones over the entire crop of free agent WRs. He doesn’t have any off the field issues, isn’t injury prone. he’s physical, can make spectacular plays… a good blocker. He’s a solid two and one of the best threes in the league.
What are we missing here?
Teddy. Bring him back.
Surprised at the lack of interest but will be happy to have him back.
yea, I agree. If nobody wants him, we should take him back for 3 more years, on the cheap, of course. He belongs with the Packers.
Raiders just give him a 3 year deal
Oof Oakland. Sorry, bro. :/
God damn it. Well, he’s closer to home I guess.
Pretty sure Carolina’s receiving corps consists of Guy Incognito, Alan Smithee, and John Smith; they’ll be just fine.