Jordy Nelson’s torn ACL a few weeks ago left the Green Bay Packers without a number one outside receiver. Randall Cobb was a 2014 Pro Bowl selection with 91 receptions, 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns, but his versatility and the ability to line him up virtually anywhere in the offense makes it a less than attractive idea to put him on the outside on a consistent basis.
Also on the depth chart is Davante Adams, who is developing well and coaches cannot say enough good things about his play. Jeff Janis enters his second year with another impressive showing of speed in the 2015 preseason, but there is still some concern about his viability as a starter. 2015’s third-round pick, Ty Montgomery, has won the favor of his coaches over Janis, after a strong showing throughout training camp and the preseason. Myles White also made the team after bowing up in two final preseason games.
Cobb was the oldest and most experienced wide receiver of this group, at age 25 with four years experience. Davante Adams started for much of 2014, but Montgomery, Janis and White have virtually no experience starting in the NFL. The depth looked alright, and the offense was still one of the strongest in the league, but on September 6th, the Packers signed James Jones, who played in Green Bay for seven seasons. He signed with the Oakland Raiders during the 2014 preseason but was cut in early 2015, signed by the New York Giants and cut once again. Here is what his presence brings back to Green Bay (along with some added depth, which is obvious) for 2015.
Three Things James Jones Brings to Packers Offense
1. Familiarity with the System
Jones played for the Packers from 2007 until 2013. He was by no means the best receiver on the field, and spent years in third spot behind Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and more recently Nelson and Cobb. But with that said, not much has changed in Green Bay during the year he was gone. The running game has remained about the same, the passing game is as impressive as it’s ever been, and there are a similar group of faces in charge. Coach Mike McCarthy may have given up play calling responsibilities, but the team has not tried to fix that which was not broken, and Jones will likely fit in as nicely as he did for his first seven years in the league.
2. Chemistry with Rodgers
This is plain and simple, Aaron Rodgers and James Jones played together for seven years. The two know how to work together and have both spoken fondly of each other. Rodgers has commented that Jones’ work ethic is very solid, especially during and after the 2012 season, when Jones led the league with 14 touchdowns.
Jones has said of Rodgers that he is a natural leader and even praised Derek Carr while playing for the Raiders, making comparisons between positives in Carr’s game and how Rodgers operates. There were a couple of incidents years ago when Rodgers and Jones were seen shouting at each other on the sidelines. This led some to speculate that the two don’t care for each other as teammates, but when asked, both said such thoughts are nonsense and that athletes sometimes need to sort out disagreements in such a way.
3. Solid Catch Rate
Jones isn’t the fastest receiver on the field and doesn’t have moves that will break the ankles of opposing defensive backs but he can get open and catch the ball. Over the past three years he has had catch rates between 63% and 65%. There are receivers in the 70% range of course, but the vast majority sit between 55% and 65%. James Jones is not the best but he is above average and his hands will help the team in 2015.
4. Experience and Knowledge
I’ve already mentioned the fact that he’s played in the league since 2007, and while it benefits his own game to have that experience, it is also an asset that he can pass along to younger receivers. Janis, Adams, White, and Montgomery are all sharp young receivers who are eager to learn and they will surely become better having Jones around.
5. He Can Find the Endzone
With the Packers he has a record of 37 touchdowns in 104 games. That’s a bit more than five per year, which is more than most teams can get from their third wide receiver. During his 2014 stint with the Raiders, he caught six touchdown passes, showing that his age had not caught up with him by any means.
6. Can Play Slot or Outside
For almost all of his first seven years in the league, Jones played on the outside. In 2014, the Oakland Raiders played him out of position, and frankly he excelled. He caught a career high 73 of 112 passes for 666 yards. The fact that he can play effectively in either of these receiver positions will allow the team more options for his use.
7. Playoff and Super Bowl Experience
Even after the loss of Nelson, plenty of analysts still had the Packers listed as favorites to make it into the depths of the postseason. I’ve already listed six reasons for why Jones will help the team through the regular season, but here is one more. Randall Cobb and Davante Adams are the only Packers receivers who have any playoff experience. Neither were a part of the 2010/2011 Super Bowl winning team. Jones was.
This isn’t a huge deal: winning the Super Bowl once doesn’t mean one will win it again, but if the Packers make the postseason, Jones will be able to help the young receivers keep cool heads and stay focused. In his eleven playoff games, he has caught 28 or 42 passes (67%), scored four touchdowns, and caught five passes for 50 yards during the Packers Super Bowl victory over the Steelers in 2011.
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