James Jones Needs To Toughen Up

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James Jones Needs To Toughen Up

Dec 24, 2008

There's really no other way to put it. Watching Driver leave the field with a leg that looked like it would require surgery, only to have him return in the second half, really serves to spotlight Jones' lack of toughness and heart. Yes, I realize knees are tricky things, but he was fine in the locker room according to both JSOnline and the Green Bay Press Gazette - he's just scared. And it's not just the knee - it's his overall play on the field.

As Bob McGinn put it:

Until James Jones toughens up, he won't be anything more than a spot player. The reason that SS Mike Brown was able to splatter Ryan Grant in the second quarter was that Jones didn't get him blocked. Jones hesitated, almost as if he was timid, and Brown went right past him. Contrast that to Ruvell Martin and even Jordy Nelson, both of whom routinely seek out people to hit. And Jones looks stronger than either one of them.

Look, I like him and I think he's got all the talent necessary to become a great, great wide receiver. But the great ones aren't afraid to block and know how to play through pain. Jones needs to find religion on this during the offseason, and how.

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Comments (8)

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OFF

December 24, 2008 at 11:02 am

As Mr. Counterexample, has everyone already forgotten the pre-season play where he had his head removed, held onto the ball, maintained his balance and ran the ball 15 yards into the endzone without a helmet?

I think diagnosing a lack of toughness and heart is a bit premature.

December 24, 2008 at 03:29 pm

MM says: "Packers will shange 60% of the offensive line for the Lion game." Moll - out, College from LG to RT, Spita from RG to LG, and Sitton to RG. Last game and you make changes like this? If the line is this bad, shouldn't that have been dealt with? TT is out of his F-ing mind here. He's just telling Tauscher that he's out and don't bother asking not to comne back. There is a very good chance that TT will have this team in ruins by the end of the draft.

PackerAaron

December 24, 2008 at 05:41 pm

DDD - He's a football player. It was a brutal hit but come on - that's what he's supposed to do - take the hit. One play in preseason vs. repeated failures to block on running plays is pretty significant.

December 24, 2008 at 10:31 pm

Its a been a tough season on Jones. I'm not trying to make excuses for the guy, I just don't think we have nearly enough information about him to start calling him out for a lack of heart.

December 25, 2008 at 10:18 am

Ron, this is not surprising. From what I understand, this has been the plan for awhile to address the Tauscher free agency issue. With injury, it's actually more likely he'll be back.

DDD, I agree, way too early to call him out. Rough season, but cut him some slack. The Jordy Nelson/James Jones competition will be fun to watch this off-season.

December 25, 2008 at 07:14 pm

First off - Tauscher and Clifton have been the anchors for quite some time on this Team. It is NOT unexpected that both positions would need to be dealt with, and most likely before the Players Union Contract issue hit the floor running. All of you need to get a grip. Another push that escapes all of you (and maybe even MAC) is the fact that Mark Tauscher is only 6'3" - a perfect fit to move over to Guard and last probably 3 more seasons (or more) at that spot. If anything, Tauscher is as close to a Mike Wahle as this Team has currently. Moving from Tackle to Guard can extend a Player's career more often times than not. The problem is what kind of money he might be due. Lately, he has started to stack up penalty flags, too. Something that NEVER happened before last season. Could be a sign. I thank him for playing - not use it as a crutch to fingerpoint back at others. THIS IS a part of business in the NFL. You guys need to grow up, ...yesterday.

As for the James Jones issue - you all do remember that James had a PCL injury early in the Season, yes? Well?? Do any of YOU have any idea what it takes to come back from a PCL injury? Many players take a whole year. It's fortunate that surgery technique(s) these days have come a long way. The real issue is whether Jones was pushed to come back too soon.... Because that is when he re-aggravated his PCL and had to sit down all over again. Finally, against the Texans, he showed he was ready to be back and had a pretty good game, like what we were used to last season. I fully expect Jones to comeback STRONG next year.

As for Bob McGinn's comments? I think they're highly out of line. He's a Reporter, supposedly. Not a bonafide Medical Expert. Nor has he played lately (if ever) in the NFL. Therefore he is the last person permitted to critique when a Player should have damn well been ready to get back on the field, LOMBARDI STYLE.

Certainly, it's a known fact that in the NFL, players 'play hurt'... Aaron Rodgers has even just repeated as such (about himself) in one of the latest Articles. For myself, Jones is a rare & uniquely gifted player that was slated lower in the draft than his talents have now proven him to be. In other words, HE WAS A STEAL.

The Greg Jennings (2nd rnd) pick was a known commodity and had better prove himself - but James Jones was somewhat an unknown. He also has great hands and is (guess what) Donald-Driver-tough...

Moreso than Jennings, I look for Jones to replace DD in the near future. Jennings & Nelson (both) have yet to prove that part. The knee (PCL) injury was a fluke which he will get over.

How many times have you seen even Running Backs with knee injury(s) come back and not be the same player right away? Well? Funny, McGinn doesn't speak about Jones' success against Houston, now does he? Wonder why he's being "so selective".... Grown ups ask such questions.

Whether you can tell the difference or not, I personally don't care. You're certainly not looking hard enough or you wouldn't post such commentary --- it's called trolling.

And, if Bob McGinn's reading this, he has every opportunity to back up his statements with more fact than his illusions (propaganda?) are pushing currently.

I wish we would have beat da bears, too. Trust me. The Packer Rule is: <em>"Don't care if we lose all the others, We just gotta beat da bears!"</em> I know all about it. I've been a Packefan since the ICE BOWL.

It wasn't James Jones' fault we lost to da bears. It was Special Teams and Defense. Last I heard, Jones isn't playing both sides of the ...... yet! You cheehesheads gotta show more faith!!!