James Jones **JJ**

[BallHawk]

Well, both Bookman and Ruvell could still end up being excellent players.

How can you be an excellent player if you aren't even, as of now, in the NFL. He got waived by the Raiders.....the Raiders. He's a track star playing football.

Ruvell, however, should make an impact for us this season, whether it is at the #3 or the #4, I don't know. It's highly unlikely that he'll get the #2, however.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Maybe Thompson has an eye for wideouts. We'll see. Proof is in the pudding.

Packers: Jones makes a big-time impression

By JASON WILDE, Wisconsin State Journal
July 31, 2007

GREEN BAY — Just as it can be dangerous to put too much stock into a player's performance in the first few days of training camp, there are, on rare occasions, players who make such a strong first impression it's next to impossible for folks not to get excited about them.

In the past decade, you could argue it's only happened twice to the Green Bay Packers at the wide receiver position, despite the club drafting 15 wideouts and signing two dozen more as free agents.

In 1999, a wiry, little-known seventh-round pick from Alcorn State came into camp and made himself impossible to cut. His name? Donald Driver.

Then last year, a second-round pick who lacked big-time name recognition coming from Western Michigan, justified his selection from the very first practice and, had he not suffered a midseason ankle injury, might've put up a 1,000-yard season as a rookie. His name? Greg Jennings.

Don't look now, but it appears to be happening again, this time with third-round pick James Jones.

"It's crazy, I'm only in my second year, and he kind of reminds me of myself," Jennings said Tuesday. "He's doing everything that people don't expect a rookie to do."

Added Driver, who watched Jones from the sideline during the first three days of practice: "I think he has what the coaches look for — confidence and comfort in the offense. When I came in in 1999, that's what I wanted to do right off the bat, come in and prove that I could play with anybody, regardless of who they were."

A reach?

Jones has caught virtually every ball thrown his direction, including two beauties on Tuesday morning, when he skied over No. 3 cornerback Patrick Dendy to reel in a touchdown from Aaron Rodgers, then went up and got a high Paul Thompson pass for another TD in the back of the end zone.

"That's why we drafted him," wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson said matter-of-factly. "We knew he could do that."

Perhaps, but when the Packers took Jones with the 78th overall pick in April, the selection caused some head-scratching. Most of the pre-draft know-it-alls had Jones pegged as a second-day pick, as low as the sixth or seventh round, so he was considered a reach by many.

Plus, in some ways, the Packers opted for Jones' long-term potential over the short-term help a trade for Randy Moss could have provided. Moss went from Oakland to New England for a fourth-round pick (No. 110 overall), and general manager Ted Thompson could have dealt the pick for Moss had he wanted to.

Instead, Thompson opted for a guy who caught 70 passes for 893 yards and 10 TDs in 13 games as a senior at San Jose State last year after catching just 56 balls his first three college seasons combined.

"You definitely want to make a real good first impression. You want to open some eyes as fast as you can so the coaches start looking at you," Jones said. "I just go out there and make the most of my chances."

Learning curve

While Jones' ability to pluck the ball out of midair has gotten everyone's attention, coach Mike McCarthy cautioned that, unlike Jennings, who picked up the offense almost instantly, Jones "is thinking (a lot) right now. You can see when he breaks the huddle, he's thinking about the formation, he's thinking about the play."

Or, as Robinson put it, "Things came easy to Greg. I don't think they necessarily come as easy to James, in terms of the scheme. But he's handling it pretty well to this point.''

Indeed, while veteran cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson have been supportive of the rookie, they're also holding him to a higher standard after seeing what Jennings did last year in camp.

"From what I've seen, he's got real good hands. But this is camp," Woodson said. "It was kind of different with Jennings last year, there was just something with him that everybody could just kind of see. Jones, he catches some good balls, but I've got to see him in the game."

Added Harris: "I wouldn't quite say he's like Jennings was, because Jennings, he really caught on really fast. He was real smooth in his routes. James works hard, and he's got very strong hands. He caught a slant on me the other day where he ran a good route. He just needs to do that more often — sell his routes better, be crisper. But he catches the ball very, very well. I haven't seen him drop a pass."

And that might be the best part of Jones' strong first impression: He isn't getting swept up in his early successes. While his highlight-reel catches have been a staple of the local news stations' 10 p.m. sportscasts, he's acutely aware of how far he has to go. Told of Woodson and Harris' comments, he simply nodded in agreement.

"Definitely. I need to improve on a lot of parts of my game," he said. "I can run routes better, I can read coverages better, I can understand the game a lot better — I can do a lot of things better to elevate my game. That's why we're practicing, and that's what we're here for, to practice the things we need to get better on.''

[Bretsky]

I just hope Jones is good enough to be the clear #3; in other words a step up from The Fraud, Bodiford, Ruvell my favorite Martin, and Holliday.

What I take from this article is he's a hard and determined worker who should help, but he in not nearly as developed as Greg Jennings was last year at this time.

Here's to JJ as our #3 !!

B

[Partial]

I took away that he is physically ready to be the man, but he needs to work on his route running. I think he'll turn out to be a solid #3 this year.

[HarveyWallbangers]

If McGinn likes the kid, he must be doing well.


Receiver Jones is making an impression
By BOB McGINN

Green Bay - Robert Brooks never looked this good early. Neither did Antonio Freeman, Robert Ferguson or Terrence Murphy.

Four days in pads do not a career make. Suffice to say, however, that rookie wide receiver James Jones has raised eyebrows and expectations in the training camp of the Green Bay Packers.

Clearly, the Packers thought more of Jones than most teams by taking him in the third round of the draft. But ever since the opening mini-camp practice in May, Jones has exhibited exemplary skills and a professional approach.

"He's done really well," quarterback Ingle Martin said. "I think he's going to help the Packers for sure this year."

By the close of their off-season program in mid-June, the Packers regarded Jones as their third-best wide receiver. Less than a week into camp, Jones has made more plays than anyone else.

Whether it's addressing his troubled upbringing or his so-so play in college, Jones has been up front. He looks questioners in the eye, speaks candidly and makes sense.

"My expectations for myself are very high," Jones said Tuesday. "What I'm doing right now, I still expect more. I still don't think I'm making enough plays. I think I'm actually playing under my standards. I need to step my game up."

His coaches are more than just pleased, and rightly so. Last year, the Packers hit with Greg Jennings in the second round. Historically, wide receivers struggle in their first season, but the Packers just might have hit again.

On Tuesday morning, Jones scored two touchdowns in an extended red-zone team segment. The Packers ranked 31st in red-zone efficiency a year ago. At 6 feet ½ inch and 209 pounds, Jones has the muscle to create space in close quarters and the powerful hands to rip away the ball.

First, Jones took cornerback Patrick Dendy into the right corner of the end zone. Facing quarterback Aaron Rodgers, he leaped and caught the ball over Dendy, who turned back too late.

Later, Jones lined up slot right with a linebacker across from him and safety Aaron Rouse behind. He released outside, then ran a post pattern and caught Paul Thompson's pass a step ahead of Rouse.

"I don't know what catch was better," Jones said. "I just try to catch everything. When it comes down to the point of who would you count on and who can catch the ball, I want my name to come up. Leave them no doubt."

As terrific as Jennings was from the start through Week 5 a year ago, it's possible that the starting job opposite Donald Driver could be a summer-long battle between Jennings and Jones.

Cornerback Charles Woodson, who had high praise for Jennings almost immediately last summer, declined to compare the two.

"From what I've seen, (Jones) has real good hands," Woodson said. "But this is camp. I think it was kind of different with Jennings last year. There was just something about him that everybody just kind of saw. Jones, he catches some good balls, but I've got to see him in a game first."

Jones, who said he dropped one pass in the first five practices (a slant against no defense), would readily understand. It's a long process and he intends to be in it for the long haul.

"I don't try to get into whether I'm competing against (Robert) Ferguson or competing against Jennings," Jones said. "If it's catching 100 balls or catching 10 balls, my main goal is just help this team win."

[Bretsky]

I'd agree; McGinn does not fluff on anything. That's why I found him and Cliff somewhat reliable. They tell it like it is.

[Bossman641]

I like what I've heard of Jones so far. Will be real interesting to see what happens with him when the real bullets start flying. I just hope he keeps working hard, refinng his technique and understanding the offense without having to think about it.

Perhaps TT has a eye for WR's. Murphy, Jennings, and possibly Jones.

[MadtownPacker]

Perhaps TT has a eye for WR's. Murphy, Jennings, and possibly Jones.

Sure is looking like it. Imagine if Murphy had panned out, the WR spot would be looking real sweet about now. As it is I am excited about the youth movement. Somebody is bound to step up.

[RashanGary]

It will be nice to compare the Jones pick to Randy Moss over the next 7-12 years.


I noticed that he stood out too. The other guy who has stood out, which is expected, is Aaron Kampman. Last night at City STadium he was going up against a no name OT. He was bull rushing the guy straight back with ease. The guy had all of his weight leaning forward and Kampman just threw him on the ground (using his weight as a tool). The coaches were laughing and patted the rookie on the back.


Kamp then got two chances against Tauscher and he beat him handily twice.


Kampman looks as good as ever. If he hasn't gotten all of the doubters off his back yet, I think he'll get the rest of them off this year.

[The Leaper]

It will be nice to compare the Jones pick to Randy Moss over the next 7-12 years.

Pointless, really. We did not have to give up Jones to get Moss. We could've given up a 4th rounder to get Moss.

Moss also wasn't going to be a long term Packer...he was looking for a one year deal so he could hit free agency.

Most people who wanted Moss saw him as a stop-gap for a year as Jennings and Jones developed.

[LL2]

Looks like JJ is going to get some playing time. Everything you read about him is good. I can’t wait until the first pre-season game. The 4 receivers this year will be Driver/ Jennings/ Jones/ and Ruvell Martin.

Now if the GB RB and TE group can start putting out some good news. From what I read Brandon Jackson sounds like a deer in headlights. I hope it doesn’t take him a couple years to get good.

[Bretsky]

Looks like JJ is going to get some playing time. Everything you read about him is good. I can’t wait until the first pre-season game. The 4 receivers this year will be Driver/ Jennings/ Jones/ and Ruvell Martin.

Now if the GB RB and TE group can start putting out some good news. From what I read Brandon Jackson sounds like a deer in headlights. I hope it doesn’t take him a couple years to get good.

I hope JJ is the #3

From there I think it's a toss up on who makes this roster. Martin, Holliday, Clowney, and Boddiford all have good shots. Oh ya, and the Fraud will make his annual plays in training camp and the preseason to tease the coaches again.

[PackerBlues]

I really hope Jones does develop. Perhaps after a year in the system, he can challenge Jennings for the #2 spot.

Last year was so ugly with Driver getting double teamed, and Jennings just learning the system, and also the injuries. It seemed at times like Favre didnt have anyone to throw to other than a double teamed Driver. There were so many dropped balls by the other guys on the recieving end of Favres passes, that it seemed at times that he just gave up on them altogether, in favor of a double teamed driver.

I wish these young guys the best, but I would still like to see a veteran signed in case something does happen to any of our starting recievers.

[Green Bud Packer]

woodson said he's taking a wait and see attitude on jones unlike jennings who just seemed to have it from the get go. i'll take his opinion of him over most.

[mission]

jim jones huh?




BAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLIN!