out with your crystal balls: Jones or Nelson to shine?

[Harlan Huckleby]

I know Jones looks more impressive, but I think Nelson is going to be more productive. He had the knack for getting open and holding onto the ball in college, he just has to get used to pro level.

[Gunakor]

Nelson overall, but I think JJ has a better season this year. Next year though I think Nelson beats out JJ for the #3 spot and doesn't give it up until Driver retires and Nelson moves up to #2.

[mraynrand]

It depends on which guy gets picked up by New Orleans.

[BallHawk]

I think Jordy will be good, but I think Jones is gonna carve out a niche as a #2 in a few years.

[Freak Out]

I think Nelson will end up a good receiver but he'll make a name for himself as a returner.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Jones this year. Nelson long-term. I think Jones has limited upside because he has lumbering speed. He could carve out a great career as a #3 receiver. I think Nelson has potential starting ability.

[Scott Campbell]

I'm conservatively expecting both to be first ballot Hall of Fame inductees.

[Pacopete4]

I dont think James is that good IMO...

[texaspackerbacker]

Why not both?

A year ago at this time, most people thought Jones was better than Jennings. and that Jennings was too slow. I think Jones has all the potential of Jennings, and that Nelson, based on college performance and measureables, may have even more potential.

With the Packers offensive scheme, both plus Driver and Jennings, as well as Martin, could do real well.

[DonHutson]

If I'm Jones, I'm busting my ass in rehab to get back on the field ASAP. Rodgers already has a nice repoir with Martin. If Nelson gets a foothold ahead of him Jones could all of a sudden see a real decrease in playing time through no real fault of his own.

If I'm Nelson I'm busting my ass to get ahead of Martin on the depth chart before Jones gets back.

Long term I see Nelson and Jennings as the starting duo for many years. Jones is slower and less consistent than Nelson. That said, Jones would be a great #3 with those two. Between the three of them you've got size (Nelson), speed (Jennings), strength (Jones), and open field running ability (all three).

[BF4MVP]

Geez..James Jones not getting a whole lot of love..That surprises me. I think the guy's a damn good player to be honest with you..I think it's gonna be tough for Jordy to surpass him, although I like Jordy's potential too.

[oregonpackfan]

Too early to tell for me. Jones has just 1 year in the pros but had a solid rookier year. Chances are that he will improve with experience.

I just can't speculate about Nelson as the guy hasn't even played a regular season game yet.

[boiga]

I like jones a lot.

He is said to have better acceleration than Jordy and knows more open field moves. He's also a lot tougher. Jordy would have cracked something if he had got sandwiched like JJ did against the Bengals.

Jordy will have a place on this team and will be a great player, but he needs a little more refining. I see him as eventually becoming Driver's replacement in the slot, but he's unlikely to beat anyone out this year.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Jones is lumbering. I don't see this acceleration that you speak of.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Too early to tell for me. Jones has just 1 year in the pros but had a solid rookier year. Chances are that he will improve with experience.

I just can't speculate about Nelson as the guy hasn't even played a regular season game yet.

well, if we wait a year or so, it will probably be obvious which guy is better. You don't get to place your bet on the horses after they finished their first lap.

the idea is to use your keen scout's eye. step up and place your bet, all you have to lose is a little pride.

[boiga]

Jones is lumbering. I don't see this acceleration that you speak of. Here's the coach's comparison:
"His 40 time is a little better than James'," Robinson said. "James would be more suddenly explosive in the short area. Jordy's a bit more of a build-up speed guy, but once he gets down the field he's separating from people. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=774804

Jones is so powerful that he can go from zero to full speed in two steps. Remember that touchdown in the first Vikings game last year? The problem is that his top speed isn't all that great.

We have a very diverse group of receivers this year. There's not a single guy we could lose and not hurt the team.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Jones is so powerful that he can go from zero to full speed in two steps.

Why doesn't Superman get open more often? He's had trouble getting any seperation so far in his brief career.

[boiga]

Why doesn't Superman get open more often? He's had trouble getting any seperation so far in his brief career. Like I said, That top end speed is lacking so many CB's can catch up with him in most routes. Or they play off so that acceleration doesn't help. His best plays are always on short throws taking advantage of his ability to change direction quickly, make tacklers miss, and get those YAC.

JJ will be a big contributor this year.

[BallHawk]

Jones is so powerful that he can go from zero to full speed in two steps.

That could also be explained by stating that Jones' top speed doesn't take long to get to, simply because it's pretty damn slow.

[SnakeLH2006]

I think Nelson will end up a good receiver but he'll make a name for himself as a returner.

Agreed...I think both will be good starters in this league, but Jordy has the "it" for returners giving him the long term edge. JJ will be a good receiver ala Freeman for 10 years, Jordy will be a very good #3 receiver, excellent return threat EVERY year. Both great receivers, hard to vote tho.

[boiga]

Jones is so powerful that he can go from zero to full speed in two steps.

That could also be explained by stating that Jones' top speed doesn't take long to get to, simply because it's pretty damn slow.

I won't disagree with that. But he's also the most powerful of our WR's, he's got great elusiveness in the open field, and he's tough to bring down. He'd be the number 2 receiver on any other team in the league.

Jordy has shown speed... but so far that is it. I think he'll develop into a top tier slot receiver eventually, but he's got a way to go before he deserves as many touches as Jones.

[SnakeLH2006]

Jones is so powerful that he can go from zero to full speed in two steps.

That could also be explained by stating that Jones' top speed doesn't take long to get to, simply because it's pretty damn slow.

I won't disagree with that. But he's also the most powerful of our WR's, he's got great elusiveness in the open field, and he's tough to bring down. He'd be the number 2 receiver on any other team in the league.

Jordy has shown speed... but so far that is it. I think he'll develop into a top tier slot receiver eventually, but he's got a way to go before he deserves as many touches as Jones.

Agreed but Sterling's 40 speed was 4.55 coming out of college and was never a burner. Speed is so overrated. Watch the games and we can agree JJ makes plays and takes it to the house. Dude's a beast. Maybe Jordy gets there, but his best impact is KR/PR right now. JJ would/should start for many teams RIGHT NOW.

[The Leaper]

Jones is obviously better right now, but Nelson does appear to have the higher long term ceiling. The good thing is that they are complimentary players...Nelson has the height and speed to be a real factor on the edges, while Jones has the bulk and hands to be a brute in the middle.

[HowardRoark]

I ain't letting either one of em shine my crystal balls.

[Gunakor]

Agreed but Sterling's 40 speed was 4.55 coming out of college and was never a burner. Speed is so overrated. Watch the games and we can agree JJ makes plays and takes it to the house. Dude's a beast. Maybe Jordy gets there, but his best impact is KR/PR right now. JJ would/should start for many teams RIGHT NOW.


The poll isn't asking who is better or should be starting for any NFL team RIGHT NOW. It's asking who will have the better NFL career overall. Who will be the better of them next year? How about the year after? 5 years down the road? When both of them are retired, who do you think history will look back on and say was better than the other? Unless both are retiring from football following the 2008 season then it doesn't matter in this poll if Jones should be starting for this team or that team right now, or that Jordy's usefulness is merely as a returner right now.

IMO Jordy Nelson will prove to be a better reciever overall, and in 3 years time he will be a starting WR for the Green Bay Packers. James Jones might also be a proven starting caliber WR, but if he can't beat Nelson he won't be starting for us. Still, I'd rather have Jones as our #3 than someone else's #2. In the meantime, I expect Jordy to be a very good returner. But I don't expect that he'll be a return specialist for very long. The kid's too damn good not to play on offense.

[mmmdk]

It's a nice question to ask / "problem" to have; I like both but I'll pick Jordy for the better career. He complements Jennings nicely plus JJ is still fumble prone.