H
HardRightEdge
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It's interesting to note that his youtube high school videos list his weight around 230 lbs. While that number might have been somewhat inflated, it's pretty clear he's now conditioned/positioned himself as a speed player, as one of the box safety/LB hybrids that have gained popularity in the NFL in recent years. Jones passed on the bench at the Combine, then did 18 at his Pro Day. That's a little light for a 3-down ILB in this defense.I have the feeling he lost some weight, as that was much faster than his combine time, and he improved his vertical by a few inches, as well. He was only 222 at the combine.
Capers relies on his OLBs for edge contain. The ILBs have to defend both between the numbers in the run game and in coverage; I don't see the Packers compromising muscle in the middle for enhanced sideline-to-sideline pursuit or a tick or three running downfield. Capers has always favored a balance in physical attributes at the position: stout enough to defend the run with 4.65 - 4.75 speed to handle most passing game matchups, while being smart enough to handle his concepts. When facing the faster tight ends, the defense is adjusted, using Hyde in that role in recent years. The vulnerability is when teams throw against the base D, or when the RB is an accomplished receiver. Capers seems to be willing to live with those vulnerabilities and I don't see any reason to think he will change his stripes.
Let's consider another player who has filled the box safety/ILB hybrid situational role in the Capers D. Sean Richardson played that role increasingly in the latter part of 2014, usually in dime, to some good affect. Now consider Richardson's Combine results:
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=84148&draftyear=2012&genpos=SS
Compare and contrast to Jones' Pro Day:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...es-has-off-the-charts-workout-at-lsus-pro-day
As a rookie, Richardson was 6 lbs. lighter and an inch taller than Jones, but did 22 lifts to Jones' 18, and it showed up in his run defense. His 4.5 speed was more than adequate to the task of the hybrid role. As for the "athleticism" measurements, he outperformed Jones across the board with the 40 time as the only exception. You really never wanted to see Richardson in man coverage downfield; you don't know what Jones might do in that role either but the fact he has always played what's in front of him you're at least looking at a very steep leaning curve.
From purely a workout metrics standpoint, which is the primary basis of enthusiasm for Jones as an NFL player, Richardson is the more rounded and superior athlete, while also bringing more muscle to the proceedings.
Now, Richardson is an unrestricted FA and a name that has gone nearly, if not entirely, unmentioned in re-signing discussions. The key reason, no doubt, is his having sustained a second neck injury which is career threatening besides being something the Packers have been averse to chancing.
But that's not really the point. From a workout metrics standpoint, the superior athlete in Richardson, a guy suited to the box safety/ILB role, who was signed as an undrafted free agent.
I have an extremely hard time seeing the Packers expend a low second round pick on Jones (or God forbid a trade down into the upper second round) for essentially a situational oversized safety who has not played the position.
If you like Jones for that situational role, it might be more constructive to review the SS prospects pegged for middle to low rounds.
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