matt Jones 6'6" of 4.40 love. Meet our new wr\qbotf

[bringbackmarty]

did you guys see his 40? We should pick this dude up.

[Rausch]

I'm not even sure if the NFL knows where to put the guy. Wr? S? FB? QB?

[Saulbadguy]

PLAYER : Matt Jones

AGE : 21

SCHOOL : Arkansas

NO. : 9

POSITION : WR

Height : 6-6 -- Ideal height at QB and excellent height at WR.

Weight: 237 -- Size mismatch for DBs if he can make transition to WR.

Speed : 4.65 in the 40-yard dash. Good for QB. Below average for WR.

Intelligence: Flaky by nature but has good natural intelligence.

Toughness : Played through several injuries. A "gamer" when needed.

Strength/Flex : Wiry and strong athlete but flexibility is a concern.

Durability : No major injuries, but minor ones are reason for some concern.

Character: Concerns about his aloof attitude and love for playing football.

Production : Dual-threat QB at Arkansas but very limited experience at WR.

WR SPECIFICS

Hands B Much better than anticipated. Caught the ball well and proved he can win the jump-ball.

Adjust to Ball B- Ability to adjust to poorly thrown ball and ball over his head stood out this week.

Instincts B- Needs work in terms of hot reads and zone coverage recognition from WR position.

Patterns C- Is raw as expected. Doesn't show good initial quickness. Can be lazy on backside.

Receive Long C Has some upside because of size and leaping ability on jump ball. Lacks vertical speed.

Receive Short B Needs to improve crispness of routes but is a power forward that will use body to box DBs out.

Running Ability B- Is sneaky fast. Builds speed as he goes and kills pursuit routes with long strides.

Blocker C- Needs to improve willingness and technique. Can make an impact if he wants to work at it.

React in Crowd B+ Impressive ability to catch the ball in traffic. Huge frame helps him here.

Release C Size helps him prevent press coverage but his initial quickness is marginal.

PRACTICE NOTES

Monday (1/24/05): Jones looked somewhat lost as a route runner today, but that was expected. He has such a limited background at the wide receiver position that it's only natural for Jones to struggle early on. As scouts trying to project his potential to contribute at the next level, his athleticism, burst, body control and hands are much more important. Jones has adequate-to-good speed for a receiver his size and he looked extremely fluid as an athlete today. If he can show improvement as a route runner and look more natural as a receiver as the week progresses, this could be a big week for Jones as an NFL draft prospect. Right now there's a lot of intrigue because of the potential mismatches that an athlete like Jones could create in the passing game at the NFL level.

Tuesday (1/25/05): Jones tinkered with the quarterback position during seven-on-sevens this afternoon, but he did not perform very well. His timing was off and his accuracy was erratic. After a frustrating showing he returned to his role as WR/H-back and did not attempt another pass during the practice session. As a receiver, Jones is awfully frustrating to evaluate. On one hand, he has enormous potential as an athletic size mismatch out of the slot position. He is a smooth athlete who builds speed as he goes. His hands are a lot better than ever anticipated, he's a load for defensive backs to bring down in space, and he has such long strides that he "kills pursuit angles" with his deceptive built-up speed after the catch. The aspect that is frustrating is his apparent lack of interest. We know that he's a "laid back" person, but if he's serious about making the transition -- not only to WR but also to the NFL level -- he's got to show more effort in practice. He has loads of room to improve in terms of his technique, recognition skills and route running, which is why going half speed on some routes and loafing it back to the huddle on every play just doesn't make sense. From a "body language" standpoint, Jones looked bad on the practice field.

Wednesday (1/26/05): Jones had his best practice of the week on Wednesday. Coaches in attendance still want to pull their hair out when watching his nonchalant approach to the game (walking back to the huddle, slowly jogging around between drills, loafing routes when he's a backside receiver, etc.), but the bottom line is that he has loads of upside at the wide receiver position. The thing that has been most impressive this week is his consistency catching the football. He has such a big frame and long arms that he gets to a lot of poorly thrown balls that most other receivers couldn't reach. He has been "snatching" the ball instead of letting it get into his body. For a prospect with such limited experience at the position, he's also shown an uncanny ability to catch the ball in traffic. In the span of just three practices, Jones has gone from an enigma with no true pro position to a potential late-Day 1 draft pick as a WR/H-back that can generate a lot of mismatches in the passing game because of his size. Jones also can provide an offensive coordinator a lot of versatility because of his natural athleticism and throwing ability.

Thursday (1/27/05): Really showcased his size and athletic ability during red-zone drills when he leaped up and completely took an interception away from a south DB during this afternoon's practice. He has the potential to be a real mismatch in that area at the next level. Also see that he will cover kickoffs in Saturday's game. It will be interesting to monitor his effort, tackling skills and effectiveness in that facet, as he will need to contribute on special teams early in his NFL career in order to stick on a roster.

SUMMARY

Jones was the most intriguing prospect to follow during the 2005 Senior Bowl, as he made the transition from college QB to WR during the practice week. His nonchalant attitude and seeming lack of hustle drives coaches crazy but he's a much better fit at WR than he is at QB in that regard. Jones will need to put a lot of effort into the position change if he's going to make a successful one while elevating to the NFL level. He needs to improve his route running skills, consistency and technique as a blocker. Jones will never have great initial quickness and his top-end speed is just average for his size. However, with such a big frame and such good athleticism for that frame, Jones has the potential to develop into a weapon as a slot-WR/H-back in the NFL -- similar to the type of weapon that Joe Jurevicius was for Jon Gruden prior to Jurevicius' injuries. Jones' hands were far more consistent than we ever imagined and he clearly has a good feel for the passing game due to his experience at quarterback. Furthermore, Jones has such a long stride and deceptive speed that he can become a weapon after the catch in the NFL. After an impressive week of practice, if Jones can run in the high 4.5's and prove to NFL coaches and scouts during individual workouts that he wants to work at making the transition, it's not unrealistic to imagine a team taking a chance on Jones late on Day 1 of the upcoming draft.

FINAL GRADE B+

[ChiefsCountry]

Man just think Al could creame his twinkie with Matt Jones and dont froget we already got Eric Crouch.

[svuba]

did you guys see his 40? We should pick this dude up.

I was watching the combine QB 40s with my son, Jones was listed at 6'6" - 242lbs. He looks like a Hippy. I told my son "now you know this big white boy is going to be slow", then he rips off a 4.4 followed by a 4.37!!!
He was running with the QBs, but only 2 of the WRs beat his 40, and they were both 60 lbs lighter -----60lbs

This guy is a Randy Moss clone except he hasn't ever played WR. He is a beast though at 6'6" he can jump up & catch almost anything and from the clips they showed he has incredible hands. If that is not enough he can knock over most db's at 242lbs, and with a 4.37 40 there isn't a Chiefs db that could keep up with him!

[cheeeefs]

If that is not enough he can knock over most db's at 242lbs, and with a 4.37 40 there isn't a Chiefs db that could keep up with him!


hehe cheifs DB's can't keep up with most anybody

[svuba]

hehe chiefs DB's can't keep up with most anybody


I guess your right even if he ran a 6.37 40 he would still leave our dbs in the dust.

[Phobia]

Man just think Al could creame his twinkie with Matt Jones and dont froget we already got Eric Crouch.

If he's in the draft as a TE, look out 2nd round pick.... look like we're getting a special Z-back.

[NewChief]

Never going to be an NFL QB. He's a great athlete, though. Very deceptive speed. In college, I'd watch him scramble, and it looked like he wasn't even running that fast. Strangely, everyone would be dropping behind him, though.

[Herzig]

I was watching the combine QB 40s with my son, Jones was listed at 6'6" - 242lbs. He looks like a Hippy. I told my son "now you know this big white boy is going to be slow", then he rips off a 4.4 followed by a 4.37!!!
He was running with the QBs, but only 2 of the WRs beat his 40, and they were both 60 lbs lighter -----60lbs

This guy is a Randy Moss clone except he hasn't ever played WR. He is a beast though at 6'6" he can jump up & catch almost anything and from the clips they showed he has incredible hands. If that is not enough he can knock over most db's at 242lbs, and with a 4.37 40 there isn't a Chiefs db that could keep up with him!

Matt Jones played high school football in the town where I went to H.S. I actually played golf with Matt last summer when a buddy of mine and I joined up with Jones and his friend on the 3rd hole due to the course being backed up. He is a very humble, classy guy. He can hit a golf ball a mile, although it doesn't always go straight! It was cool to play golf with him...I even thanked him for the NCAA record setting 7 OT win against Ole Miss a couple of years ago. I agree though, he doesn't have the consistant accuracy of an NFL QB, though he should be a good "slash" type player. He's deceptively fast!

[DeepSouth]

Matt Jones senior bowl pick;

[Mr. Laz]

If he's in the draft as a TE, look out 2nd round pick.... look like we're getting a special Z-back.

kewl ... another offensive specialist :thumb:

[Ultra Peanut]

He's deceptively fast!Translation: He's white.

[bringbackmarty]

yea you right psi.. a 4,4 white guy. Goddamn, we had better get this dude. He fits the profile of everyone else we have drafted. no real position, no idea where we would use him. **** it, can't be any worse than morton, plus with bo leaving, we need another white guy. Kidding, just kidding, we don't need any more white guys....

[CosmicPal]

We'll just convert him to CB. :rolleyes:

Seriously though, I was watching him yesterday- he looked pretty impressive. I wouldn't mind if we picked him up in a later round should he still be available.

[Kyle401]

We'll just convert him to CB. :rolleyes:

Seriously though, I was watching him yesterday- he looked pretty impressive. I wouldn't mind if we picked him up in a later round should he still be available.

We can't convert him to a corner. He hasn't played S yet. Wait maybe if we move Crouch from S to CB. He has all the tools and athleticism, I think that he can be a shutdown CB in this league. With Crouch and Warfield at the corners and Jones at FS, I think that our defense will get better because they will play better. :)

[Soupnazi]

I find it hilarious that he outran Maurice Clarette.

[Ultra Peanut]

I find it hilarious that he outran Maurice Clarette.Hell, everyone outran Clarett.

[svuba]

We should convert this guy to Kicker, he can Kick -off & be the wedge-buster..it will be like having an extra player on the feild on special teams.

[Skip Towne]

Matt Jones played high school football in the town where I went to H.S. I actually played golf with Matt last summer when a buddy of mine and I joined up with Jones and his friend on the 3rd hole due to the course being backed up. He is a very humble, classy guy. He can hit a golf ball a mile, although it doesn't always go straight! It was cool to play golf with him...I even thanked him for the NCAA record setting 7 OT win against Ole Miss a couple of years ago. I agree though, he doesn't have the consistant accuracy of an NFL QB, though he should be a good "slash" type player. He's deceptively fast!
Hits the ball a mile but it doesn't always go straight. That sounds like somebody else I know. I have seen Jones play several times and I'm impressed. He was a one man team at Arkansas. A great broken field runner who is hard to bring down. He runs over LB's. He's going to be a great find for somebody. I hope it's us.