The Daily Banter: What About Bengals Wide Receiver Matt Jones?
by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 16, 2010 10:46 AM EDT
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Print[Kinda Mailbag] WHERE THE HELL IS MATT JONES? One commenter, minddrifter asked why we barely mentioned Matt Jones during our first preview "passing offense rebuilding project pieces are set". It's the same reason we didn't mention Maurice Purify or Freddie Brown. Once you get past the locks -- Chad Ochocinco, Antonio Bryant, Andre Caldwell and Jordan Shipley -- Jones will have to compete against Jerome Simpson, Dezmon Briscoe and Quan Cosby for the final two spots. We've said from the beginning, which has been independently supported by others, that Jones had to be brilliantly impressive from the day he signed until final cut down day; he's the guy that has the most work ahead of him in terms of answering the question as to whether he'll have a job in Cincinnati. The fact that Cincinnati drafted two wide receivers, both of whom very well could make the opening weekend roster, after Jones signed, adds weight to this.
All things being equal, the Bengals will definitely go with their own and youth over Jones. If they haven't abandoned Jerome Simpson -- who by most reports has been more impressive than Jones during the offseason minicamps -- then Jones won't be the guy that knocks him off the roster.
Jones' best shot to make the squad, I believe, comes with one of two scenarios.
- Dezmon Briscoe's injured groin is still problematic, or he's placed on the team's practice squad, and someone else on the team shows that they're more than capable to be the team's punt returner than Quan Cosby.
- Antonio Bryant's knee, or another major injury on the team, freeing up another slot by default.
This team, a self-admitted run-first oriented team, will not take more than six receivers into the regular season.
I know that Jones is on people's minds, mostly because of his name recognition. But let's also remember that the last regular season snap he took was December 7, 2008; the only season in which he recorded a higher average than 50 yards receiving-per-game.
+ Former Bengals defensive back Artrell Hawkins was introduced into the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame.
+ According to John B at Gang Green Nation, Carson Palmer is described as a "Reputation Quarterback" because while he was once a franchise quarterback, his recent play no longer justifies it.
I would only argue that Franchise Quarterback is a loose fitting term, perspective from different points of view. For example, if Palmer goes down, the Franchise horribly suffers. In fact, one could make a great argument that of all the players on the roster, the player that would have the greatest impact because of an injury would be Palmer.
On the other hand, if franchise quarterback is the equivalent of putting up gaudy statistics, then Palmer has definitely watched his "franchise" title go on IR.
A Few Cincinnati Reds thoughts...
+ Hosting the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ballpark, the Cincinnati Reds kick off the second half of the season Friday night. Still holding a 0.5 game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals, the weekend series against the Rockies isn't just important for the overall concept of winning and losing with the Cardinals on our coat-tails, but Wild Card implications too. The Rockies have a 1.5-game lead for the Wild Card.
+ Reds' first baseman Joey Votto is the clear favorite for the Red Reporter's First Half Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the First Half. Also, finest moments of the first half.
+ Speaking of Joey Votto, in case you missed it, our own first baseman was blunt about the Chicago Cubs after the National League's 3-1 win over the American League. His quote is in response to a great play by Chicago's outfielder Marlon Byrd.
"I don't like the Cubs," Votto said after the game in Anaheim. "And I'm not going to pat anybody with a Cubs uniform on the back. But because he made that really cool play, it turned out to be a really cool experience. I'm really glad we got the win today."
A question followed up Votto as to why he doesn't like the Cubs.
"We are Cincinnati Reds. We're taught to hate everything in the Central Division. That's just how it is."
God I love Votto.
A Few Thoughts Around the NFL...
+ Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew will be hosting a fantasy football show during the season on Friday nights establishing possible distraction issues, especially if he starts the season off on a slow note.
+ Nike recently unveiled the "new Florida-themed limited edition Tebow shoe." Best selling jersey in the NFL. Check. A Nike shoe. Check. Cover on EA's NCAA 11 game. Check. Now he has to actually take a regular season snap.
+ Redskins running back Clinton Portis lowered his weight from 230 last season to "about 217", gearing up for a season in which he wants to prove that he's still capable of producing a 1,500-yard rushing season.
+ After being drafted by the Chicago Bears during Thursday's Supplemental Draft, running back Harvey Unga found it odd that the Bears were the one's that drafted him.
''To be honest, I was surprised," Unga said. ''They're stacked up with running backs right now. They don't need another back. I'm just going to come in there and bust my butt and make the best of the situation. I told them this is something they won't regret and I'm a man of my word.''
+ Stampede Blue tells us what we already know, and may experience on November 14: The Colts offense gives safeties fits.
+ The Buffalo Bills have a decent collection of young players under 25.
+ Former safety Rodney Harrison has big praise for Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry.
+ Miami Dolphins nose tackle Jason Ferguson is now former Miami Dolphins nose tackle after announcing his retirement on Thursday.
+ The Packers are very interested in hosting the eventual Big Ten Championship game.
+ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up the fifth year on Josh Freeman's contract.
+ Who are the top-ten difference makers for the New York Giants?
+ Pats Pulprit puts together a timeline of the New England Patriots offseason.
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Matt Jones
If he performs in training camp at a level similar to what he did in Jacksonville on the field, I still think he helps the team more this year in the passing game than his competition for one of the final spots. Obviously, the team has a deep competition amongst guys who all bring different skill sets to the team, including special teams.
I like Briscoe and thought he was really good at KU when their offense was clicking in ’07 and ’08, but outside of being drafted by the team, I havent heard of him doing anything that gets him an active roster non-practice squad spot on the team.
by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Jul 16, 2010 11:47 AM EDT reply actions
RE:
Definitely confirms that WR will be the best position battles to watch this Training Camp.
Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 16, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I have thought
that Jones isn’t competing for one of the final spots, and that is his biggest problem in making the team. He is competing for the 3rd or 4th spot, while Caldwell, Shipley, Simpson, Cosby, and Briscoe are competing for spots 3-6. That is Jones’ issue. He doesn’t have future upside or promise to show. He either shows that he can contribute heavily this year or he is gone.
I agree here...
…the Bengals won’t keep jones as the #6 because the #6 is going to be inactive most of the time. He needs to steal teh 3/4 spot from Shipley/Caldwell—-which I don’t think is happening.
A little tidbit from our good friend Hobson
From Hobson’s Blog (July 12th)
It is hard to see both Jones and Simpson making it. But you could also see either one getting a spot because they do provide the best deep threats beyond The Ocho. The edge would have to go to Jones over Simpson because of his experience and the fact that the Bengals could use his college quarterback skills in some kind of Wildcat.
You’d have to think the favorite for the sixth spot is sixth-rounder Dez Briscoe. He didn’t do much in the spring because of hamstring problems, but the kid was 20 when they drafted him and he worked enough that they were impressed with how smoothly he ran routes. He’s got good size, speed, and has the big upside, as they say. If they try to get him to the practice squad, you have to assume somebody takes him off waivers.
I don’t know if I agree with him, but it’s another way to look at the Jones – Simpson debate.
This is our year!
I don't either.
So I guess we can say that the debate will be between Jones and Simpson for the final spot?
Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 16, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think there’s much doubt that the final spot is going to Jones or Simpson. Of course, if it is that 6th spot, then that player needs to be somebody that they are trying to develop (since they won’t be active), and Simpson is the obvious choice there…unless Briscoe surprises people at training camp. He might be the real wild card. Jones would have to look phenomenal even to be considered there.
Chad
Bryant
Caldwell
Shipley
Cosby
Simpson/Briscoe
ahhhhhhh!!!!!! to many questions! This is going to fun to see how it turns out.
This is our year!
I still think its possible both guys make it.
Just not likely. Basically, it would mean putting Briscoe on the PS and Cutting Cosby. I looove Cosby as a player… but we currently have at least 2 other guys who can return punts… which is really Cosby’s biggest role (albeit he did a great job). Simpson is the best guy we have as insurance if Ochocinco goes down and Jones is really our best bet as a back up to Bryant deep threat option
Cosby might be more of a lock that we think
The more I think about it, the more I think Cosby is in. That 5th receiver spot is basically a dedicated special teams spot. That player isn’t going to see the field all that much unless there is an injury, so if you want production out of #5, you need a player who’s going to do work on STs.
And Cosby is not just a good special teamer, he’s probably our best special teamer (arguably), and he proved last year that he can run routes and catch the football in clutch situations.
Matt Jones is a guy that the Bengals could cut and nobody else would pick him up. If AB went down, we could likely resign him the next day. Briscoe and Simpson however are young enough and talented enough that they could easily get picked up by a team looking to improve a depleted WR corps (i.e. the Steelers).
This is our year!
I'd pass on Simpson for Jones
Simpson hasn’t done a damn thing for the Cincinnati Bengals. We passed on DeSean Jackson for Simpson. I’ve heard rumors that Simpson has been thrown out of huddles by Palmer because he didn’t know the playbook in the past. Due to these reasons and others, I have an extremely hard time believing this guy is going to come in and make an impact.
Jones has NFL experience, speed, height, and has a chip on his shoulder to prove himself. The wildcat option is relevant, but our offensive coordinator is not that bright. I also remember Carson raving about Matt Jones a month or two ago. Personally, I’d rather have Jones than Simpson. Simpson has already had two years to prove something. I think Briscoe and Shipley are the two we develop. Let Simpson go because other teams would love to have any of the Bengals other WRs. I’ve also heard Simpson is not that cerebral.
Simpson might be doing alright now, but what happens when he gets lit up by Polamalu? Just seems like too big of a risk for too small of a payoff.
I’m pulling for Jones!!!!!
If you take the word “franchise” and replace it with “elite” then John B might have a point. He’s still the franchise quarterback, if for no other reason than we don’t have a shot in hell of replacing him at this point. Is he still elite? Right now, his recent play doesn’t justify that label. But I still hope that he might get back to that.
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