Brad Jones

[3irty1]

He did visit TN last week. The story (whether you want to believe it or not) is that 9 teams inquired and 5 showed significant interest. He told all that his strong preference was to stay in GB, so it would take a significant offer above GB's for him to move. Reports are that he negotiated with GB and 3 other teams last week.

I know, I know; rumors, lies and agent propaganda. But seems as plausible as any of the FA stories we hear. Probably some exaggeration in it, but something got his price tag up.

I think I remember reading once that Jones grew up a Packer fan. If so it makes sense that he'd have a strong preference to stay.

[Guiness]

Point made. How about "He should be buried"?

With any luck, retooling for the read option will involve keeping Jones off the field...

Is 'should be buried' the same as 'should be shot and pissed on'?

Retooling for the read option would result in the opposite of what you are hopping for...Jones on the field a lot more, probably at the expense of Bishop, since Hawk generally covers better than Bishop does, and Jones is far better than either of them.

[sharpe1027]

Is 'should be buried' the same as 'should be shot and pissed on'?

Retooling for the read option would result in the opposite of what you are hopping for...Jones on the field a lot more, probably at the expense of Bishop, since Hawk generally covers better than Bishop does, and Jones is far better than either of them.

It could be...

Jones may be able to run with a TE better than Bishop, but he looked lost trying to do his part to stop the read option. I sincerely hope they can find a better solution.

[3irty1]

Point made. How about "He should be buried"?

With any luck, retooling for the read option will involve keeping Jones off the field...

Well he's not the first person to look stupid chasing the wrong guy against a read-option offense. That's kind of the point to read the defenders and ensure that whatever they do is the wrong decision. What makes it hard to defend is that blockers are reading defenders as well. Assignments need to be changed dynamically or else its all too easy for an offense to ensure the guy responsible for the hand off is not in position to defend the hand off or the DE that goes for the QB goes unblocked to the backfield to find a QB who's already handed off against a favorable front.

Basically what I'm saying is that if the defense wasn't prepared for this kind of offense (which was pretty clearly the case) Jones could have played his assignments perfectly and still looked like a tard to us.

[smuggler]

I think Jones proved to be versatile, competent, and better than replacement level. That's worth what we paid, or at least close enough to it that I won't complain. Look at the other LB playing next to him (Hawk). He was playing at roughly the same level (with way more starting experience than Jones) and getting payed much more.

If he regresses to below-average or replacement level, cut him next year and it's essentially a 1 yr 4mil deal, which is okay in my book. If he continues to improve at ILB, cut Hawk instead.

[sharpe1027]

Well he's not the first person to look stupid chasing the wrong guy against a read-option offense. That's kind of the point to read the defenders and ensure that whatever they do is the wrong decision. What makes it hard to defend is that blockers are reading defenders as well. Assignments need to be changed dynamically or else its all too easy for an offense to ensure the guy responsible for the hand off is not in position to defend the hand off or the DE that goes for the QB goes unblocked to the backfield to find a QB who's already handed off against a favorable front.

Basically what I'm saying is that if the defense wasn't prepared for this kind of offense (which was pretty clearly the case) Jones could have played his assignments perfectly and still looked like a tard to us.

You are of course correct that the true responsibilities can be difficult for the casual fan to understand. All I can do is offer my opinion based upon my limited knowledge and understanding.

Let's just say that what I have seen of Jones does not make me very confident. He had a fast 40 time and a promising rookie year. Since then he has lost his starting spot and slipped deeper and deeper on the depth chart, only to resurface after a position change and multiple injuries.

[3irty1]

If Jones is to be the new Chillar I wonder if we'll see Capers resurrect that "Big Okie" formation where he had Chillar playing safety.

[Patler]

Let's just say that what I have seen of Jones does not make me very confident. He had a fast 40 time and a promising rookie year. Since then he has lost his starting spot and slipped deeper and deeper on the depth chart, only to resurface after a position change and multiple injuries.

On the other hand, he started 8 of the last 9 games in 2009, and 5 of the 6 games he played in at the start of 2010 before going on IR. In 2011 he got lost in the shuffle, then reemerged at a new position in 2012. He has played only 4 seasons, and lost part of his first and most of his second seasons to injuries. Throw in the position changes, which included switching sides at OLB as well as a start, stop and start again on his change to MLB, and it could be that he will still reach the promise he showed at times as a rookie.

He doesn't have a lot of chances left, but I think he still deserves an open mind from the fans going into 2013. Sort of like with a 2nd/3rd year player who is still learning.

[sharpe1027]

On the other hand, he started 8 of the last 9 games in 2009, and 5 of the 6 games he played in at the start of 2010 before going on IR. In 2011 he got lost in the shuffle, then reemerged at a new position in 2012. He has played only 4 seasons, and lost part of his first and most of his second seasons to injuries. Throw in the position changes, which included switching sides at OLB as well as a start, stop and start again on his change to MLB, and it could be that he will still reach the promise he showed at times as a rookie.

He doesn't have a lot of chances left, but I think he still deserves an open mind from the fans going into 2013. Sort of like with a 2nd/3rd year player who is still learning.

Without a doubt, but a 2nd/3rd year player that is still learning does not normally cost 4M/year.

[Patler]

Without a doubt, but a 2nd/3rd year player that is still learning does not normally cost 4M/year.

No, but a lot of 5th year players do. There are really two questions:

On the one hand, is Jones really JAG, or can he be more than that? This is the question I was addressing. His pay is not relevant to that discussion.

On the other hand, is he worth what he is paid? This isn't limited to the age of the player, nor whether he is JAG or not, so long as he is paid like JAG if he is one.

Obviously. Jones is being paid more than JAG should be paid. My point is that we shouldn't assume he won't earn it, because his first 4 years might not necessarily indicate the value of his contribution in 2013 or beyond.

[packrulz]

Keep in mind, 2012 was Jones first year starting at ILB. He only started 10 games, yet he had 77 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 passes defensed, and caused a fumble. I thought he improved as the season went on, he can play OLB in a pinch, and ST too, he'll earn his keep. http://www.packers.com/team/roster/B...d-ad4ba468acf0

[sharpe1027]

No, but a lot of 5th year players do. There are really two questions:

On the one hand, is Jones really JAG, or can he be more than that? This is the question I was addressing. His pay is not relevant to that discussion.

On the other hand, is he worth what he is paid? This isn't limited to the age of the player, nor whether he is JAG or not, so long as he is paid like JAG if he is one.

Obviously. Jones is being paid more than JAG should be paid. My point is that we shouldn't assume he won't earn it, because his first 4 years might not necessarily indicate the value of his contribution in 2013 or beyond.

Nothing wrong with any of that analysis. However, I never assumed that he wouldn't earn the salary. Hopefully he does, but there are reasons to be skeptical.

[Bretsky]

I suppose I'd rather give that money to Jones than Walden.

EZ answer here. C.. None of the above

[pbmax]

Think this was posted earlier but to recap:

JSO has Jones getting interest from five teams to start (3 still negotiating when he signed Packer offer). As Patler pointed out, this is the agent speaking, though he doesn't have a whole lot to gain AFTER getting the contract by playing up the interest.

But more importantly, Spoon makes the point that he is getting starters money to be the starter because Bishop is still a question mark and Smith will be midseason at best.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/199942871.html

[Guiness]

Think this was posted earlier but to recap:

JSO has Jones getting interest from five teams to start (3 still negotiating when he signed Packer offer). As Patler pointed out, this is the agent speaking, though he doesn't have a whole lot to gain AFTER getting the contract by playing up the interest.

But more importantly, Spoon makes the point that he is getting starters money to be the starter because Bishop is still a question mark and Smith will be midseason at best.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/199942871.html

Read some of the comments below?

I'm stupider for having done so. We are lucky here!