James Jones: 2015 Packers Player Report Card

James Jones

  • Age: 31
  • Ht./Wt: 6'1", 208lbs
  • College: San Jose State
  • NFL Experience: 9 years

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Expectations coming into the season:  Expectations for Jones were iffy. Remember, he was cut by Oakland on May 5 and then he was cut by the Giants on Sept. 5. People wondered if he could still get any separation at 31, but the Packers saw something and that's why they signed him quickly on Sept. 6. 

Player’s highlights/low-lights: In the season opener at Chicago, Jones makes it seem like he never left. He makes a great one-handed catch in touchdown catch in the first quarter to put the Packers on the scoreboard. In the third quarter, he caught a quick slant for another score as he caught four balls for 51 yards and two touchdowns. Weeks 10 and 12 were forgettable weeks for the veteran as he was held without a catch in both games. 

Level of Expectations met:  His expectations were vastly met. Let's remember that the Packers brought Jones back to Green Bay as a high risk, high reward type player. He played in all 16 games and started 15. 

Grade: B

Player’s contributions to team success:  Jones caught fire early on by catching six touchdowns in the first six games. Granted, he only had two more scores the rest of the season, but he was tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns and accounted for 26 percent of Green Bay's receiving touchdowns. Another thing that cannot be overstated is Jones' hands. He became a reliable target for Aaron Rodgers by only dropping five of his 107 targets. 

Grade: B

Player’s contributions in the playoffs:  Jones was able to get behind the Washington secondary for 81 on seven catches — including a nifty 34-yard gain down the seam in the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card Game. However, he was completely bottled up vs. Patrick Peterson with no catches and only two targets in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Arizona. 

Grade: C

Intangibles/misc: Unfortunately, what most fans are going to remember about Jones was his hoodie that he wore under his jersey. It started on Nov. 22 at Minnesota and he continued the trend — that nearly broke Twitter — the rest of the season. Jones was a great addition that was needing some veteran leadership on its receiving corps. And even though he had trouble getting off the ball at times, he proved he could still catch the ball in traffic. The only downside to Jones this year was that it may have stunted the growth of the younger receivers. 

Grade: B

 

Overall Grade:  B

 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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Comments (14)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Packer_Pete's picture

February 10, 2016 at 07:02 pm

Thank you again for your contribution James! Good luck next season with a different team.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 10, 2016 at 10:46 pm

I don't even want to think about where the Packers season would have gone with this James Jones.

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Samson's picture

February 11, 2016 at 12:13 am

AR will go ballistic if JJones isn't resigned for the 2016 season. (they are close) -- No way GB & AR enter game 1 crossing their fingers that Janis, Abby, Adams & Monty will play up to a SB team's level. -- They're all kids who are unproven in the NFL.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 11, 2016 at 12:48 am

JJ vastly exceeded expectations. Has to be a Grade A for expectations. We thought he could be a red zone threat and provide some veteran leadership. I agree with the other grades.

AR forced a lot of throws to JJ, particularly on free plays, and rightly trusted JJ to make those catches in traffic. I also think AR was more accurate for those first 6 games, and he had to be since JJ rarely got more than a half step on his defenders.

I don't think JJ can play for any other team. He can't gain separation anymore. Wish him the best playing for someone else next year.

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croatpackfan's picture

February 11, 2016 at 07:21 am

You
are
boring
&
needless...

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 11, 2016 at 06:56 am

Jones really saved the team early in the season. His veteran savvy and connection with Rodgers allowed him to start the season really strong.

The biggest problem with Jones is he isn't a #1 WR. He is a really good #2,3 or 4 WR though.

I honestly wouldn't mind bringing him back at least through preseason to make sure there are no other injuries or anything.

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

February 11, 2016 at 01:20 pm

I agree no harm no foul to bring him back and see who gets hurt, heck how many WR got hurt on the team this year. It covers about all of them, so yeah I can see it hoping a few like Abby, Montgomery, and Jordy all comeback in great shape.

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NickPerry's picture

February 12, 2016 at 05:53 am

If the Packers can bring him back for the minimum then they should. SO many have suggested Jones isn;t coming back and actually complained about JJ this year. Most of the time teams best CB lined up on Jones not Cobb. I say if he'll take the FL minimum you get that man signed as quickly as you can. If Abby, Adams, and Janis are good enough to keep him of the field they will.

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SpudRapids's picture

February 11, 2016 at 10:52 am

How is meeting expectations not an "A"?

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Evan's picture

February 11, 2016 at 11:20 am

Where I went to school, simply meeting expectations was a C.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 11, 2016 at 08:49 pm

Perhaps so, Evan, but JJ vastly exceeded his expectations. 50 receptions, 890 yards, 17.8 yd./catch average and 8 TDs. Did you really expect anything close to that production from JJ? I did not.

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4thand10's picture

February 11, 2016 at 12:55 pm

Green Bay got him back cheap, he performed and was needed with what happened. But I would rather see what the draft brings this year than bring him back. But Im glad he was with the team this year,

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Since'61's picture

February 11, 2016 at 04:02 pm

Cory - point of clarification. J. Jones asked to be released by the Giants when they told him that he would not be a starting receiver for them. That combined with Jordy's in jury led JJ to go to the Giants and ask for his release so that he could have a chance to get back to the Packers. This was widely reported in the NY media. As for his performance, he played very well until defenses adjusted and began jamming him at the LOS. However, he probably had the most reliable hands of all of the Packer receivers in 2015. Unfortunately, he can no longer be considered a deep threat and he never made up for Jordy in that part of his game. If the Packer receiving corps is healthy for 2016 I don't think there will be a spot for Jones on the team. However, we know that Abby is a risk and Jordy may not be ready for the beginning of the season. Jones is a great guy to have if the injury bug hits the receivers again in 2016. Thanks, Since '61

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sonomaca's picture

February 11, 2016 at 09:27 pm

Questions

Will Nelson and Montgomery be 100%? Will Adams and Janis improve? Will Cobb and Abby stay healthy all year?

I'd keep Jones around, just in case.

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