Green Bay Packers' James Jones holds his own in talented receiving corps
BY KAREEM COPELAND KCOPELAND@GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.COM AUGUST 20, 2010
Consistency is the word that follows James Jones around.
The fourth-year Green Bay Packers receiver has shown flashes of brilliance in his first three seasons and has put together an impressive offseason and training camp.
Jones has shined the past two weeks, including catching three balls for 46 yards in the preseason opener against Cleveland. He has turned heads on a regular basis.
James Jones is a beast, Packers tight end Jermichael Finley said. Hes going to strike this year, come back and show everybody what hes about.
Last season, Jones caught 32 passes in an offense loaded with talented receivers and tied Finley for the second-most touchdown receptions (five) on the team. He was targeted on 63 of the 553 Packers passing attempts or 11.4 percent of the time.
Thats a pretty high ratio, receivers coach Jimmy Robinson said of the touchdowns.
Only 38 players in the NFL caught more touchdowns in 2009, and Jones never was higher than the No. 3 option. He was no higher than No. 4 after Finley emerged midway through the season.
Between 2005 and 2008, only Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Donald Lee have posted five touchdowns in a season for the Packers.
For James, its just a matter of getting him opportunities, quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. Hes always shown us, when he gets a chance in games, hes going to make plays.
A guy you would love to get the ball to more often. He usually makes the most of his opportunities.
Jones broke out as a rookie in 2007 with 47 catches for 676 yards and two touchdowns. He played in 10 games in 2008, but a knee sprain left him inactive for five games and his numbers dropped to 20 receptions, 274 yards and one score.
Jones was able to build off 2009 by receiving a bulk of offseason repetitions, along with Jordy Nelson, as Driver recovered from knee surgery and Jennings wasnt present every day.
Robinson said Jones is running better routes and has learned to play the slot more than in the past. He added Jones was targeted seven times during Tuesday nights practice and caught every ball thrown his way.
The team wants to line up Driver, Jennings, Jones, Nelson and Finley in a variety of spots on the field so defenses cant predict what will come from specific formations.
Frankly, the offense is the primary reason this team has Super Bowl aspirations.
James knows this is a pretty important year for him, Robinson said. We expect big things from him.
Hes a guy that would probably be a starter in most places.
Thats a phrase coach Mike McCarthy has uttered that Jones and Nelson could start in a lot of other places. But Jones is the No. 4 receiving option, and thats if you put Jones ahead of Nelson which Robinson wouldnt do.
Its a dead heat in my view, Robinson said.
The glut of talent isnt necessarily the best thing for Jones individual numbers, though he will be a vital integer of the offensive sum. There are those who believe the Packers will produce their best offensive unit since 1996. Jones will play a significant role if those predictions come to fruition.
Its a great thing when youve got five to six receivers who can go out and get the ball and make plays when they touch the ball, Finley said. Its one of those things you have to take advantage of and seize the moment.
To tell the truth, I think our offense can score when we want."