WCCO: Gophers To Use Minneapolis Native Jeff Jones As Receiver

[killme]

I think the coaches think the overall talent at receiver and running back with JJ starting as WR is higher than any other possible combination. I don't think he'll upgrade the running back spot more than the receiving spot he vacates will be downgraded. Purely speculation, but if this is true and all the things being said about the JJ and the other backs also are true, our offense might be more dynamic this season. Cobb and Maxx were great players, but we may have more legit threats this year. Toss in the hope that ML7 makes another big step in his progress and I predict we score more points and gain more yards this year...with what JK says is his best defense. Can't wait for tomorrow!

 

[WanderingGopher]

Here are Jeff Jone's High School Stats. Notice his production increase when they started throwing to him. I think his coach had the same thing in mind as Kill in wanting to get the ball in his hands and get him out in space. He's a playmaker.



Stats
YEAR...RUATT....RUYD...RUTD...REC...RECYD...RECTD..TOTYD
2013.....167......1525......34.......17.....493........8......2018
2012.....111......1002........9........8.....105.........4......1107
2011.....142......1415.......26......11......75.........2.......1490
2010.....138.......809.........9 - - -

Yeah, considering Jones' high school coach is now on the Gophers' staff, I'm pretty confident the Gophers' staff will know how to use him best.

 

[Spoofin]

To me the reason they are moving him is that we need a threat in the slot who is quick, can change directions and is tough enough to hold on to the ball when hit by a LB or Safety.

Sounds like KJ Maye.

 

[Spoofin]

Thanks Bob for bringing your knowledge and insight to what appears to be a confusing or difficult subject here at the Gopher Hole. It is about getting the play makers on the field who will give you best chance of winning the game.

In defense of those you think are too slow to understand what you feel you do - the point some are making is that he will most likely get less touches at WR in this offense than he would at RB. It isn't all about getting the play makers on the field - it is at least a little about getting the ball in the hands of those play makers. But what do I know this is too confusing and difficult for some of us.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

In defense of those you think are too slow to understand what you feel you do - the point some are making is that he will most likely get less touches at WR in this offense than he would at RB. It isn't all about getting the play makers on the field - it is at least a little about getting the ball in the hands of those play makers. But what do I know this is too confusing and difficult for some of us.

I actually think this is a really interesting discussion. . . touches vs. snaps. Early Jones's career, I think we can all agree that simply getting snaps is important because he isn't likely to get a ton of touches at RB every game. I am probably becoming redundant bringing it up, but it really reminds me of Harvin in Florida.

There is no doubt that Harvin would have been the best RB at Florida. People don't realize it, but Harvin had almost as many rushing yards as receiving yards in college (considerably more rushing TDs than receiving TDs). Early in his career, the staff needed a way to get their best athletes on the field and Harvin was dynamic enough to play this sort of slot/rb position. He could make people miss and he could catch the ball. His FR season, he caught 3-4 passes a game and ran the ball 3-4 times a game. Ideally, I think that's the staff's plan with Jones (either this year or next). Early on, it was really about getting him on the field, make the opposing defenses account for him and see what happens.

However, as Jones's career continues, it will probably become a priority to give him touches. If he's as special as we think he is, they are going to need to find a way to get him 15 touches per game (minimum). If our offense is having a hard time getting him the ball in the slot, he will take snaps at RB. This is precisely what Florida did with Harvin. It's ideal if he gets those touches in the normal flow of the offense, but if not, they forced it and it worked.

 

[hungan1]

Jeff Jones being shifted to WR (albeit not exclusively) is a testament of what Jerry Kill said about putting the best players on the field. Defenses have to worry about one more wrinkle in addition to the infusion of talented wideouts.

Compared to four seasons ago judging from the tone of GH back then, this is an awfully good problem to have having multiple talented options.

We still have Shannon Brooks and others. I'd say wow. We definitely also have upgraded the team speed/talent in both sides of the field.

Will Jeff Jones and Rodney Smith eventually become a RB tandem? I ask because I like the sound of Smith & Jones Show.

 

[Coolew01]

I have no insider knowledge of this what so ever, but what if Jeff is struggling with pass protection? Food for thought i guess.

 

[die hard gopher]

I have no insider knowledge of this what so ever, but what if Jeff is struggling with pass protection? Food for thought i guess.

Of course he would be. He is the equivalent of an early enrollee true freshman going through his first practice of fall camp. I don't think any RB in that scenario wouldn't struggle in pass pro.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

The future is bright with Rodney Smith, Shannon Brooks, and Jeff Jones. The offense is catching up with the defense. It's going to be a really interesting few years.

 

[needmorecowbell]

So, we get a 4 star running back, brag about 2-3 receivers that we redshirted last year and then we move our 4 star running back to receiver? I love kill, but I don't get this one....

 

[Kuato Lives!]

So, we get a 4 star running back, brag about 2-3 receivers that we redshirted last year and then we move our 4 star running back to receiver? I love kill, but I don't get this one....

What's so hard to understand? The staff feels that even without Jones the RB group is pretty solid and that the more playmakers on the field (in this case Jones as a WR combo kind of guy) the better.