Jacoby Jones Released

[phillyesq]

I'm just glad he isn't going to be with the Ravens anymore. I think losing a weapon like that in the return game hurts them.

[url]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/25/ravens-cut-jacoby-jones/[/url]

[hawaiiansteel]

[squidkid]

yup, he sure was standing there looking up at the jumbotron

[Slapstick]

That was according to Jones himself:

"Coach was on the field," Jones then told [URL="http://www.nfl.com/player/torreysmith/2495459/profile"]Torrey Smith[/URL]. "(Tomlin) was on the field, watching the Jumbotron. I had to go around him, bro. ... I'm running down the sideline like, 'Look at this (expletive).' Swear to God. (Tomlin) was on the field! (Tomlin) was on the field!"

[feltdizz]

That was according to Jones himself:

Jones is lying to protect Tomlin...

[7 UP]

Can we bring him in just to return kicks?

[hawaiiansteel]

Can we bring him in just to return kicks?

Let's see if Tomlin can corral Jacoby Jones now

by Ray Fittipaldo

Jacoby Jones is two years removed from an MVP-caliber performance in Super Bowl XLVII. He is only months removed from returning a kickoff for a touchdown against the Steelers. He remains, at 30, one of the most dangerous return men in the NFL.

And now, after being released by the Baltimore Ravens in a salary cap move on Wednesday, he is a free agent. The Steelers spent Wednesday clearing cap space so they could make some moves in free agency, or to retain some of their own impending free agents. If Jones is willing to play for near the veteran minimum the Steelers should sign him to replace Darrius Heyward Bey as the fifth receiver.

The Steelers have brought some of their older players back for near the veteran’s minimum in recent years. Why not snag an old nemesis from their rivals?

Heyward-Bey, who turns 28 today, earned his salary last season mostly by covering kicks last season. He recorded just three receptions for 33 yards and played only 147 snaps on offense. Why not swap out Jones for Heyward-Bey and use him strictly as a return man for one season?

The Steelers were 26th in the NFL last season in kickoff returns with a 21.7 average. They tried rookie third-round pick Dri Archer there at the beginning of the season, then LeGarrette Blount and finally settled on Markus Wheaton, who finished the season 19th in the league with a 24.7 average.

That’s not bad, but Jones is a special return man.

Jones, who was set to make $2.5 million next season, finished second in the league with a 30.6 average and returned one 108 yards against the Steelers at Heinz Field in October. He also returned one 108 yards against the 49ers in the Super Bowl two years ago.

I wrote about the Steelers’ struggles on special teams on Sunday and how they struggled to set their offense up with good field position. They were 30th in the league in average starting field position. Giving Ben Roethlisberger and his offensive weapons shorter fields will only help their production.

Jones returns punts, too, which would give Mike Tomlin an opportunity to take All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown off that unit. Brown ranked eighth in the league with a 10.6 average last season; Jones was ninth with a 9.2 average.

The Steelers used Heyward-Bey as an occasional deep threat. They could do the same with Jones on occasion as a fifth receiver. Jones had nine receptions for 131 yards as Baltimore’s fifth receiver.

The decision to sign Jones would be a no-brainer if not for Archer’s presence. The Steelers are unlikely to cut a third-round draft pick after one season so they likely will be forced to carry him on their 53-man roster again this season despite his inability to find a role as a rookie.

Keeping two specialty players on the roster might not be a luxury the Steelers cannot afford, but for a team that has struggled on special teams Jones just might be the guy to provide some much-needed spark to those units.

[URL]http://sportsblogs.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers-steelers-blog/2015/02/25/Steelers-Pick-Up-More-Cap-Space-How-Will-They-Use-it/stories/201502250005[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

March 6 Updates

Chargers sign WR/KR Jacoby Jones (2 years, $5 million): B+ Grade

Jacoby Jones isn't going to see the field much on offense in San Diego, as he won't pass Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd or even the promising Dontrelle Inman on the depth chart. However, the Chargers needed a boost in their return game, and they're getting exactly that in Jacoby Jones, who has six special-teams touchdowns over the past four years, including one last year. Jones, who takes back both kickoffs and punts, was among the league leaders in return average in both aspects last season.

[URL]http://www.walterfootball.com/freeagents2014recap.php[/URL]

[Discipline of Steel]

Let's see if Tomlin can corral Jacoby Jones now

by Ray Fittipaldo

Jacoby Jones is two years removed from an MVP-caliber performance in Super Bowl XLVII. He is only months removed from returning a kickoff for a touchdown against the Steelers. He remains, at 30, one of the most dangerous return men in the NFL.

And now, after being released by the Baltimore Ravens in a salary cap move on Wednesday, he is a free agent. The Steelers spent Wednesday clearing cap space so they could make some moves in free agency, or to retain some of their own impending free agents. If Jones is willing to play for near the veteran minimum the Steelers should sign him to replace Darrius Heyward Bey as the fifth receiver.

The Steelers have brought some of their older players back for near the veteran’s minimum in recent years. Why not snag an old nemesis from their rivals?

Heyward-Bey, who turns 28 today, earned his salary last season mostly by covering kicks last season. He recorded just three receptions for 33 yards and played only 147 snaps on offense. Why not swap out Jones for Heyward-Bey and use him strictly as a return man for one season?

The Steelers were 26th in the NFL last season in kickoff returns with a 21.7 average. They tried rookie third-round pick Dri Archer there at the beginning of the season, then LeGarrette Blount and finally settled on Markus Wheaton, who finished the season 19th in the league with a 24.7 average.

That’s not bad, but Jones is a special return man.

Jones, who was set to make $2.5 million next season, finished second in the league with a 30.6 average and returned one 108 yards against the Steelers at Heinz Field in October. He also returned one 108 yards against the 49ers in the Super Bowl two years ago.

I wrote about the Steelers’ struggles on special teams on Sunday and how they struggled to set their offense up with good field position. They were 30th in the league in average starting field position. Giving Ben Roethlisberger and his offensive weapons shorter fields will only help their production.

Jones returns punts, too, which would give Mike Tomlin an opportunity to take All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown off that unit. Brown ranked eighth in the league with a 10.6 average last season; Jones was ninth with a 9.2 average.

The Steelers used Heyward-Bey as an occasional deep threat. They could do the same with Jones on occasion as a fifth receiver. Jones had nine receptions for 131 yards as Baltimore’s fifth receiver.

The decision to sign Jones would be a no-brainer if not for Archer’s presence. The Steelers are unlikely to cut a third-round draft pick after one season so they likely will be forced to carry him on their 53-man roster again this season despite his inability to find a role as a rookie.

Keeping two specialty players on the roster might not be a luxury the Steelers cannot afford, but for a team that has struggled on special teams Jones just might be the guy to provide some much-needed spark to those units.

[URL]http://sportsblogs.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers-steelers-blog/2015/02/25/Steelers-Pick-Up-More-Cap-Space-How-Will-They-Use-it/stories/201502250005[/URL]

Id rather they snagged Torrey Smith instead. Looks like the Ravens might lose him and that would be significant.

[phillyesq]

Id rather they snagged Torrey Smith instead. Looks like the Ravens might lose him and that would be significant.

He seems to disappear for a number of games throughout the season. I hope that he departs because I think it makes the Ravens worse, but I'd rather see the Steelers spend the money elsewhere.