Just Shut Jones Down
By PackerAaron
Ruvell Martin was inactive this past Sunday so that McCarthy could get James Jones involved in the offense. But once again, Jones "banged his knee" and was limited to nine snaps. And yet, McCarthy explicitly stated at the opening of his press conference yesterday that the team came out of the game healthy. You've got to think that the medical staff has told McCarthy that Jones' knee is fine, but Jones keeps telling McCarthy he can't go.
It's time to sit him down for good this year.
Now, I know knees are tricky, and I know if a players' mind is on his knee rather than his game, that's not good for anyone, not the team or the player. But there comes a point, if the medical staff says he's fine and he keeps refusing to play, well, Ruvell Martin is more than willing and able to catch 8 yard slants and to block down field, only one of which Jones has done this year. Jones is simply keeping healthy and eager players on the bench at this point. Keep him inactive for the rest of the season. Don't put him on IR - if one of your recievers goes down, then activate him. But at this point, the team wouldn't be any worse off if he was in street clothes every week.
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Comments (15)
November 18, 2008 at 02:02 pm
drawbacks - supposed chemistry between rodgers and jones. could be valuable as they establish some consistent play together.
positive - martin's skill/willingness to block could help the running game continue to improve.
what i don't understand though - who did we have active that kept big 5 from being possible? i imagine it gets shuffled from week to week.
November 18, 2008 at 02:09 pm
The Big Five is a gimmick that should be shut down. More multiple tight end sets should be used.
Jones has told McCarthy on more than one occasion that he is ready to go. He expressed frustration after being a healthy scratch a couple games ago. I'm guessing it's just bad luck.
PackerAaron
November 18, 2008 at 02:09 pm
Well, when all the LBs are active, usually McCarthy sits a WR - in this case he kept up Bishop and sat Martin.
PackerAaron
November 18, 2008 at 02:12 pm
Frankiln - expressing frustration is all well and good. But then you can't take yourself out every time you have a hit on your knee. You're not doing the team any good on the bench. And the Big Five is productive - when its able to be used. Yes, occasionally you'll have negative plays like the one against the Titans, but Rodgers has been pretty successful out of it. Jones has seen to it that it's been kept on the shelf most of the season.
November 18, 2008 at 02:26 pm
Yeah, to each his own. I'm not sure the Big Five is the necessity it was last year.
I don't remember exactly, but I think we only used it in the Minnesota game, and it (and Rodgers) got eaten alive.
re: Jones I think the coaches probably watch him pretty closely during the week regardless of what he says about his knee. I don't think scraping him for the year is prudent.
November 18, 2008 at 02:31 pm
Aaron, how do you know Jones keeps telling McCarthy he can't go? That one is news to me
November 18, 2008 at 02:33 pm
My guess is the "inverted wishbone" will be seen more. I remember last year, we saw Lee come out of the backfield in what was obvious run situations to grab some td's. Grant is starting to get some of last year's vigor back and the defenses will have to be more aware of the Packers running.
The "The Big Five", use it when the situation permits. It's not the kind of play you can use too often.
Jones has really dropped off in attitude this year. Has he got issues we're not aware off? Too bad, he sure looked impressive last year.
PackerAaron
November 18, 2008 at 02:38 pm
Andrew - I've gotten it from a pretty reliable source. Can't say much more than that.
November 18, 2008 at 03:49 pm
I feel like I'm chatting with Bob Woodward. I had no idea you were so powerful. LOL. Keep the insider scoop coming Mort
November 18, 2008 at 03:53 pm
Here you go Aaron - this one's for you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo3Wqf86N4w
November 18, 2008 at 03:55 pm
Aaron, are you sure that the knee where he had a torn PCL is the same knee that he "banged" in the game against the Bears? Maybe it's a completely different injury to a completely different part of his body.
PackerAaron
November 18, 2008 at 04:01 pm
Mr. Man - from McCarthy yesterday:
"He banged his knee again, but he was able to return. He didn't get as many snaps as you probably would have liked, but he had the two catches, two first downs. I thought he played OK, he played well. It was just good to get him back out there. I would just like to get him healthy."
Andrew: I don't claim to have any "power" lord knows, I have none. But I do have one or two small budding relationships that keep me up to date on a few things...
November 18, 2008 at 04:03 pm
Just giving you a hard time buddy. I think it's great you have a "source." That's more than I've got. I wait with great anticipation for your next post to learn what's going on in Packer World! LOL
November 19, 2008 at 09:33 am
What a disappointing year for Jones. I thought for sure he would be the best third WR in the league by far and instead we are discussing if he should even be active on game day. It would be nice to have him active and productive as I think he offers some things as the #3 that Jordy or Martin do not. But, you may be right in that if he can't stay healthy or has an attitude issue then this offense can function well with Martin in his place.
I am not a fan of the big Five formation this year. It puts an unbelievble amount of pressure on the o-line and it requires the QB to make good and quick decisions. I think the three WR set with Grant in the backfield and Lee having the option to line up as a 4th WR, TE, or fullback is much more effective and diffucult for defenses. I just hate to take the RB's and TE's off the field which is required for big five.
PackerAaron
November 19, 2008 at 09:44 am
DaveK - I hear you on Big Five. I just think it's a good change of pace. I would never want McCarthy to use it for a large portion of a drive or anything (though you would never know that by watching me play Madden, where I use it waaaayyyy too much... ;) )