Plenty has been made of Green Bay Packers second-round pick Josh Jones already.
The Packers were eyeing up the North Carolina State safety before last season was even over. Jones quickly came in and started playing linebacker, a long unfilled hole for the Packers.
A lot of hype surrounding the guy before the pads even go on.
Here’s some more, from none other than defensive lineman Mike Daniels. If you know anything about what Mike Daniels likes, it’s players who hit people.
“The kid just does not care. He’s coming, he’s going to bring the wood, without the pads on, so I can only imagine he’s going to play physical with the pads on,” Daniels said. “He’s about his business. He doesn’t talk, he’s not joking, he isn’t here to make friends. He’s here to play football.
“He’s here to earn a job and he’s here to prove that he belongs here, and when you get a young guy like that, that makes me work even that much harder.”
If Jones isn’t a killer early on, he’s probably going to be a disappointment to a lot of people. There’s been a lot of build-up already.
To put things in perspective, it’s not as if the Packers need Jones to come in and dominate. Sure, they could use some playmaking at the inside linebacker position (there is none). They can win games with the guys they have, though. At safety, the Packers are set through this season.
While we love everything we hear about Jones, maybe we should all reign in the expectations a little bit. Say, at least until training camp?
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Every Packer season, there is always hype about one or more certain rookies both before and during training camp, and Josh Jones is certainly no exception this season. I believe a little “hype” is okay, but if you’re a level-headed and realistic fan, you should understand that “hype” should not necessarily equate to “expectations.” In the case of Jones, the hype is all about is potential versatility in playing a variety of roles in this defense, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the media and others promoting that sort of hype. Otherwise, what would we have to talk about before the regular season every year? But if you’re a level-headed fan who’s been around long enough, you’re going to understand that high draft picks turn out to be busts all the time. Therefore, hype should not give you high expectations, because Jones could just as easily turn out to be a bust like so many before him.
I think expectations need to be tempered here a bit. I think he will be a very capable ILB in the dime, and I think he will be a good player.
However, given his aggressiveness and going for the big hit, he is going to miss tackles at the next level, some of which will go for big plays. I envision him having at least 10 missed tackles this year, and could and up with a few personal fouls for hits on defenseless receivers, ect. He is going to experience some growing pains his first year.