I'd think he can, Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter ran the more technical stuff, but that long in the Texans offense he should be able to handle Sherman's. I was always of the mind he was ready to be a #1 type Wr if given the chance.
I'd like him for cheap just to help out on returns. That way Miller (hopefully) will get more reps on offense. If we do pick up Jones, I give the FO credit for waiting HOU out.
He's far tougher then Ginn, and a far more polished Wr as well and more of a proven deep threat then Clyde Gates. In other news, Jags waived Deji Karim, seemed like someone really liked him, he was claimed by the Colts
He was terrible for the Texans last year. They were hurting for a WR and he was so bad they gave up on him after half the season. He just didn't get it, and he didn't show any improvement from game to game.
He really had his chance when Andre Johnson was out Padre and he still disappeared during games. I don't think there is anyone out there right now that can fill the hole we have at WR right now. A lot is riding on one of the project WR's Wallace, Gates or Moore stepping up this year IMO.
He's not a number one, but he can add seriously good depth to our WR corps. Maybe he can have one breakout game when we play Houston and we can finally beat them for once
This is a guy I could see Jeff Ireland grabbing because he's still only 28 years old, will turn 29 in a few months. As I recall, the problems with Jacoby Jones were your typical loss of concentration issues...drops, bad route, miscommunication, etc. In 2009 he produced 2.23 yards per pass snap and that was outstanding. But in 2010 it was down to 1.41, and in 2011 it was down to a paltry 1.19 as they tried to get him to help replace an injured Andre Johnson. The thing that could attract Miami is he's had 160 punt returns for 1570 yards in his career, with 3 punt return touchdowns. He also does not call for very many fair catches. Davone Bess has a good average since entering the league with 1166 yards on 111 returns, but he's got no touchdowns and I think with his 4.65 type speed people realize he's never going to break off big returns, and he calls for a LOT of fair catches. He's called 52 fair catches on his 111 punt returns. Jacoby Jones has legit 4.50 speed which makes his 3 touchdowns not coincidental, and he's only called 49 fair catches on his 160 punt returns. That number is trending downward as he only called 7 fair catches versus 58 punt returns in 2011, whereas Bess called 20 fair catches versus 37 punt returns. Obviously calling a fair catch is not always a bad thing and it's certainly not always up to the punt returner whether he calls one or not, but if you account for the fair catches suddenly Jones is averaging 7.5 yards per punt return in his career, including 8.5 yards in 2011, versus Davone Bess' averaging 7.15 yards per return in his career, including 7.75 yards per return in 2011. So you're not only getting an increased chance of touchdown, you're also arguably getting consistently higher per return production. Naturally you're going to want to say, what about fumbles? If Jacoby is calling fewer fair catches does that mean he's being reckless with his decisions and fumbling the ball? Answer is no. He's only lost 1 fumble in his career whereas Bess has lost 4 fumbles.
You could also question why his average is only one yard more per attempt if he is more apt to the big return. It could mean his returns on average are actually worse.
His returns on average are what they are on average. That's why it's an average. I don't know why you would suddenly want to take his 3 punt return touchdowns away from him, as if they didn't happen, and should not be considered as part of the equation, but I do not agree with it.
Well, lost in these discussions is any sense of cross referencing his level of competition vs Bess's. For example, NE and NYJ have all had top ST units since Bess has been here, and Buffalo still had April when Bess first started returning kicks AFCS..have no earthly idea, 6 games per yr vs the rest of the division, that has an impact on stats..I'd call it the "Vince Young" effect. What I like about him is he is a deep threat, who is versatile.
I don't know if you got what I meant entirely. Let's say player A and player B. Player A returns: 13 yards, 27 yards, 2 yards, 8 yards Player B Returns: 10 yards, 15 yards, 10 yards, 15 yards Both players have the same average. However some people might think player B is a better returner because he is consistent. Some may think player A is better because he can bust a longer gain. My point is that average doesn't always tell the story because it can be achieved in different ways. I'm pretty much saying you can be a boom/bust returner but if that is the case I'd rather have the consistency.
I've seen a fair few Texans games and he never really stood out as a receiver. Had a good season a few years back but has kind of vanished since then. IMO he would be worth bringing in to try and salvage - he just never seemed to live up to his potential. Would be an upgrade on Bess on returns as well. Dear god if we trot him out for another punt return ....
Keep in mind the sample size. You're making a point with four returns but we're talking about a much greater sample size where average really negates the big returns anyway.
I have watched a fair amount of Jacoby and I gotta say he isnt very good. Routes are sloppy and his hands are very questionable. If he wants to come in with a contract that makes it easy to either cut him or bury him on the depth chart then sure why not...but the dude is flat out average.
He was born 7/11/84 so is 27 now and will be 28 in a few months. Otherwise I totally agree with your excellent post.
We are looking for speed on offense, no? Sign him up. I don't care how bad his route running is. He will be a deep threat and, more importantly, a weapon in the return game.
Truth be known, we have some fine Returner candidates, what interests me about him is his big play ability as a Wr. Consider even in a "Down" yr, he would have been 3rd in Td scored among our Wr's with..2.
That's a fair point. With all the new additions, maybe we do have a game-breaker in the return game. Maybe even Gates will be that guy though I wasn't overly impressed with him last season.
For the sole purpose of drawing a defender away? That would also depend on how good of downfield blocker he is. Is he? That being the case, I'd rather go with Gates and his 4.37 40.
I heard he was on thin ice, when the Texans selected DeVier Posey, along with that big play punt returner out of Michigan State. The muffed punt return in that last playoff game against Baltimore may have haunted him, which btw is one thing Bess DOES possess among his punt fielding repertoire, good hands.
I do not understand this "take a flyer" on virtually any player that becomes available. Its like people think the NFL is like a garage sale and we're all antique hunters. Don't get me wrong, you can get good players from other teams, but when phrases "take a flyer", "take a shot" or anything similar is used it almost never works out. Do Packers, Giants & Steelers take flyers on players? I think we should just focus on building our own talent from the ground up and not get into a panic mode and grab proven average to below average players like Jones or Gaffney. Let's just build and stop panicking.
I think we could already have a special punt returner in WR Rishard Matthews, would rather give the rookie a shot, instead of wasting a roster spot on a guy like Jones who has already proven he can't get it done as a WR.
I think most people use the words take a flyer, meaning lets just take a look see. Bring them into camp. If he makes the team cool, if not, no big deal. All teams take flyers. GB took a flyer on a player WE cut, he ended up their starting OLB. Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2
Slightly OT but I read that Bess had a partialy torn ACL at the end of the season that didn't require surgery, just rehab. Is that possible? Sounds like a full blown tear waiting to happen if true.
I'm talking more about the fans. If the professional talent evaluators on a given team want to give a guy a shot, that's fine. But this time of year, when hole on the team real or perceived doesn't get filled we get post after post of, "X got waived, let's sign him!!!!!!!". That rarely pans out. Basically I'm saying, instead of tempering your enthusiasm like someone else said, I want people to temper their panic.