Report: Matt Jones to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals

by Josh Kirkendall on Feb 12, 2010 1:04 PM EST in Analysis

ESPN's Chris Mortensen tweets that Matt Jones has chosen to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals rather than the Tennessee Titans. Joe Reedy wrote on Thursday night that the Bengals officially offered Jones a deal "slightly above the league minimum of $630,000" and that the choice for Jones was down to the Bengals and the Titans. In that same post, we documented Jones' issues off the field.

Jones' best season came in 2008, catching 65 passes for 761 yards receiving. He has 15 career touchdowns in four seasons.

Considering his speed and size, Jones could compete with Laveranues Coles and Andre Caldwell as the team's second wide receiver if he performs around or at expectations. Both Coles and Caldwell were considered disappointments, especially in the second half of the season.

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first

I like this signing, he never really developed into the deep threat receiver, but a reliable go to guy on a 3rd and long will be nice to have

by Bengalsnbucks on Feb 12, 2010 1:10 PM EST reply actions

I also like it.

I’d rather have gotten someone like Steve Breaston, but this is more realistic. If he can be better than Coles, it’s a win.

I’m still bullish on Caldwell, so Chad/Caldwell/Jones/rookie/Cosby looks good to me, especially if we grab an extra TE.

by Big Sky Bengal on Feb 12, 2010 1:14 PM EST reply actions

right

www.fantasydaddy.com

by Joe Goodberry on Feb 12, 2010 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

You're still bullish? This isn't the stock market.

If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't

by trotanoy on Feb 12, 2010 6:41 PM EST up reply actions

Im tired of hearing how much a disappointment Caldwell is

It was his 2nd season, and he played above expectations

www.fantasydaddy.com

by Joe Goodberry on Feb 12, 2010 1:19 PM EST reply actions

RE:

You don’t think Caldwell is disappointed in his own season? Look at the final nine games of the season.

Receptions: 3, 5, 4, 0, 3, 3, 4, 3, 2
Yards: 22, 22, 25, 0, 33, 35, 23, 15, 19

One touchdown.

If that’s “above expectations”…

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Feb 12, 2010 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

In Caldwell's defense

His numbers went significantly down, after the injury to Henry. This also coincided with the time, his presence became known to other teams after his nice start to the season. He became a name that some in the media started harping on, as a player that was emerging. I think Caldwell can be a solid #3, but not a #2. If he has to be the guy that takes attention away from Chad, then the Bengals are screwed. But if another #2 emerges, be it Matt Jones, T.O., a resurgent Coles (doubtful), or a rookie like Demayrious Thomas or Dez Bryant, then I think Caldwell will be ok.

My three favorite things in the world in no particular order: My wife, sex with my wife, and The Cincinnati Bengals

by Kabash on Feb 12, 2010 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

agreed, put a playmaker opposite Chad, and Caldwell in the slot

then our passing game will see its better days again

www.fantasydaddy.com

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by Joe Goodberry on Feb 12, 2010 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

look at everybodys numbers in the second half of the season

They all dropped. Caldwells season as a whole, was above all of our expectations. If he takes the next step, like he should in his 3rd season, then we will see a solid starting player

www.fantasydaddy.com

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by Joe Goodberry on Feb 12, 2010 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

I agree he was a disappointment

But I also think he showed some flashes of excellence. If he works hard and gets his timing with Carson down then there’s no reason he can’t be a solid WR for us.

by UpStateMike on Feb 12, 2010 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

I stated this in a fanpost

Matt Jones ON A WILDCAT BITCH!!!!!! my wording was a little different, but it would be nice. After all, he was a QB in college

Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry

by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Feb 12, 2010 9:50 PM EST up reply actions

I just hope

Brat can get his head out of his ass and be innovative enough to try it

Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry

by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Feb 12, 2010 9:58 PM EST up reply actions

Brat and his head out of his ass?

Never going to happen….
Innovation is not in his playbook or anywhere else in his vocabulary, for that matter.
Don’t say that again, or else! LOL

by WHYUS!! on Feb 13, 2010 2:00 AM EST up reply actions

I can always dream, can't I?

Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry

by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Feb 14, 2010 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah,

we all do…

by WHYUS!! on Feb 15, 2010 9:14 PM EST up reply actions

Brat

I don’t think Brat knows what the wildcat is.

This is our year!

by Paul Cannon on Feb 13, 2010 10:29 AM EST up reply actions

I agree firstpick

I think Caldwell will be just fine. He might never be a superstar but I think he will be solid reciever next year. I still think the bengals should make an attempt at Brandon Marshall he is a superstar and with his beastliness, Matt Jone’s size, Chad’s finess, and Caldwell or Cosby playing the slot this recieving core would be down right dangerous. Throw in Gresham and this passing attack is sick.

by The Natti Daddi on Feb 12, 2010 1:47 PM EST reply actions

exactly, but i dont htink we would get Marshall and Gresham because it may cost a 1st round pick to get Marshall. But maybe TO and Gresham, then draft a WR in the 2nd round that will play after TO’s 1 year deal

www.fantasydaddy.com

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by Joe Goodberry on Feb 12, 2010 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

All dependent on Palmer remembering how to throw and Brat pretty much scrapping the entire playbood. Big questions.

by bodacio zk on Feb 13, 2010 12:38 PM EST up reply actions

We could turn Jones into White Slim

For a big white dude, he got some wheels. Teach him how to run a nine and a fade

Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry

by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Feb 12, 2010 2:23 PM EST reply actions

I just don't see TO doing much but being annoying...

Sure he has some left in the tank but he still thinks he is the man in any offense, like Allen Iverson in the NBA he seems to hurt any team he goes too. The Fitz/Buffalo problem wasn’t his fault but he would have to learn his role and accept it to fit in with cincy. I agree though that Marshall would probaly cost us a 1st rounder but I say it’s worth it. We can go after the next best tight end in the draft with our 2nd.

by The Natti Daddi on Feb 12, 2010 3:36 PM EST reply actions

Is this our solution to the WR problems?

will this change the draft?
i like the signing, but still think we need another young guy with Ocho and Vern in their 30’s

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Feb 12, 2010 4:57 PM EST reply actions

I think it will make it less likely we draft a receiver with #1. Which means We’re prolly going to take a hard look at Gresham and Hernandez

by The Dealio on Feb 14, 2010 9:58 AM EST up reply actions

This is a good first step,

but certainly not the fix. I like this signing…add a rookie in the draft and we’ll be good. Add a solid guy in FA and we’ll be even better. The “character issues” with this guy don’t concern me at all. So he did a little coke once or twice and took his lumps as a result. Anybody ready to completly condemn a guy over that is beyond naiive.

by Jaegner on Feb 12, 2010 6:05 PM EST reply actions

Ever buy a cheap knockoff?

Ever buy a cheap knockoff & wind up getting some good usage out of it? They are a pleasant surprises that are easy to throw away when they have served their purpose. Players with something to prove can be good for the competition amongst players on a team for roster spots. Really, scrutinizing player morales in todays NFL is as futile as the search for Bin Laden…does Matt Jones have a beard???

by Vman in Germany on Feb 12, 2010 6:06 PM EST reply actions

I think this is a good sign

for the outlook of the Bengal’s offseason. They’re already going out and trying to make improvements so I can see them being active in free agency and doing everything to make a push for the SB next year.

by elguapo09 on Feb 12, 2010 8:27 PM EST reply actions

I like the signing also

Matt “Coke” Jones is a guy that can really help us stretch the field. He has great speed and size and before his run in with the law he was starting to reach his potential. I don’t like guys baggin on Caldwell, without him we would’ve been 8-8 instead of 10-6, he caught the two winning catches against BAL and PIT. But Coles did dissapoint, we payed him a lot of money to show up as the #2 reciever and he did not. Also, this does change the draft, we now have 4 solid recievers in Chad, Coles, Caldwell, and now Jones. I say we take the best player available now in the 1st rd. except for QB, T, or WR. Then atleast by the time 2nd and 3rd rounds have ended we should add another WR and TE.

by diehard fan on Feb 12, 2010 8:42 PM EST reply actions

I don't know about that.

I’d say grab a safety in the first round.

by Jaegner on Feb 12, 2010 8:55 PM EST up reply actions

I'm with you on BPA

Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry

by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Feb 12, 2010 10:04 PM EST up reply actions

The only way at this point that I support a WR in Round 1

is if Dez Bryant or Demayrious Thomas is available at 21

My three favorite things in the world in no particular order: My wife, sex with my wife, and The Cincinnati Bengals

by Kabash on Feb 13, 2010 10:20 AM EST up reply actions

this!

Demaryious Thomas

www.fantasydaddy.com

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by Joe Goodberry on Feb 14, 2010 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

from a Jaguars fan

My opinion… after watching Matt play a few years in Jacksonville… he had the potential and he showed flashes of it… but he also did just as many things that make you yell " WTF?! "… so, like a lot of you have said, if you got him for a near minimum price, he just might produce enough to give you that 50-50 feeling… also, do NOT let him near any golf courses with beer in hand and do not let him near the fun white powder

Sean Jax Beach Bum

by cuffs007 on Feb 12, 2010 10:37 PM EST reply actions