Let's talk Chandler Jones

[PatsBoy12]

He's been robbed of 2 legitimate sacks already due to phantom penalties on other players.


He could very well have 4 sacks right now.

Hey Nathan, I slight corrected your post. I agree completely with what you were saying, though.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I'm not worried about sacks, they will come the way that Jones is playing. What is more surprising is that he is a rock against the run. Not only that, he has the speed an athleticism for backside pursuit. That is extreme versatility in a defensive end. It's no wonder that BB waited so long to pull the trigger, he wants one of those rare beasts when drafting for defense in the 1st round - a guy who can stop the run AND rush the passer.

Dude, you said it! The guy just has the "it" factor in all phases of the game. He's only a rookie, but he's already mastered setting the edge in the running game. He has a high motor so he's always in pursuit, even ten yards down the field. I'm just so impressed with the kid at this young stage in his professional journey. Remember when all anyone could post about was how raw he was going to be and how he was a 2-3 year project? What a joke. And believe me, it isn't hindsight for me. I never doubted the kid would be good. If I was wrong about anything, it's that he isn't just good. He's borderline great already in many respects. As he continues to learn and grow, he'll become more consistent. That's the only thing that I think is keeping him from being truly great already.

I believe we'll see BB moving him around the line as he becomes more comfortable with his responsibilities. I think he's already comfortable with the speed of the pro game. I think he is getting more comfortable with the schemes. Once that happens, we'll see BB use him in a myriad of ways, including some pass coverage stuff too. He'll emerge as a more athletic Will Mac for sure. Size, speed, smarts and desire - that's what we have in Chandler Jones. After years of trading down, the mad genius traded up for the package he had been waiting for all these years. Although different in almost every way, don't be surprised if this kid has a better overall career than Clay Mathews (the guy who everyone thought BB should have nabbed) when it's all said and done.

 

[Rob0729]

From Matt Williamson over at ESPN on his rookie watch:

Comparing anyone to the Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul just isn't fair. And Patriots DE Chandler Jones is not quite in that class in terms of physical gifts -- few are.

But Jones is close because of his incredibly long frame and arms, smooth movement skills and the natural strength to anchor or bull rush against bigger men. He has been extremely impressive thus far as a pass-rusher and against the run -- and he has yet to develop a wide array of pass-rush moves.

Also, Jones has to have endeared himself to Patriots coach Bill Belichick because of his versatility. He is best as a traditional 4-3 defensive end, but Jones also can stand up and bump outside in a wider technique or hunker down inside in more of a 3-4 defensive end role.

A big problem for Jones, and for New England, is that Jones is really the team's only threatening pass-rusher. Opposing teams now know he is the one to stop when they decide to pass, which is going to be a lot for any rookie to overcome. The Bills, namely fellow rookie Cordy Glenn, did a nice job against Jones in Week 4. But that is also a bit misleading, as Buffalo surrenders few sacks because its offense dictates getting the ball out very quickly.

NFL - Chandler Jones bolstering New England Patriots defense - ESPN

 

[TruthSeeker]

don't be surprised if this kid has a better overall career than Clay Mathews (the guy who everyone thought BB should have nabbed) when it's all said and done.

I'm as big a fan of Chandler Jones as any Pat's fan, but let's not go overboard with statements like this. Matthews recorded 51 tackles, 10.0 sacks, 5 pass deflections, a forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries in his rookie season of 2009, and he hasn't stopped yet. 35.5 sacks in 3 1/4 seasons so far, and is an absolute beast and disruptive force, was one of the MAIN reasons GB won the SB. I love Jones' potential, and has already surpassed Matthews forced fumble total as a rookie, and may surpass the 10 sacks, but there are 12 games to go, and like the Chandler article posted, teams know that Jones is the Pat's main pass rusher, so they will start to double team him. I love his overall game, and his non stop motor, but he's going to have to become one of the top disruptive forces in the NFL to have a better career than Matthews.

 

[Big-T]

I'm as big a fan of Chandler Jones as any Pat's fan, but let's not go overboard with statements like this. Matthews recorded 51 tackles, 10.0 sacks, 5 pass deflections, a forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries in his rookie season of 2009

Through 4 games Jones has: 17 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

Which means on that average, he would finish with: 68 tackles, 12 sacks, 8 forced fumbles.

As for being the only pass rusher, if teams start thinking that Cunningham will bite them and potentially Scott & Bequette as the season progresses too.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Through 4 games Jones has: 17 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

Which means on that average, he would finish with: 68 tackles, 12 sacks, 8 forced fumbles.

As for being the only pass rusher, if teams start thinking that Cunningham will bite them and potentially Scott & Bequette as the season progresses too.

BINGO! And let's not forget that Jones is actually NOT a liability against the run. People get so caught up in statistics that they forget that there are so many phases of the game that don't appear on a stat sheet. I'd take Chandler Jones as a rookie right now over Clay any day of the week, and I'm saying that even though the guy has put up huge numbers. I don't think I'm going overboard at all. The kid (Jones) just gets it.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Through 4 games Jones has: 17 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

Which means on that average, he would finish with: 68 tackles, 12 sacks, 8 forced fumbles.

As for being the only pass rusher, if teams start thinking that Cunningham will bite them and potentially Scott & Bequette as the season progresses too.

Just because he has those stats at this time after 4 games, does not mean he will have the same stats every 4 games. A crappy player can get a sack in the first game of the season, it does not mean that crappy player will wind up with 16 sacks at the end of the year. AND, even if he surpasses Matthews' rookie stats, doesn't mean he will have a better career. Through 3 1/4 season, Matthews has been one of the most disruptive forces in football, and a Pro Bowler since his rookie season. had a down year last year, but he sure looks like he's in beast mode once again. Let's wait a while before we proclaim Jones might have a better career than someone who's achieved so much already.

As far as Scott and Bequette helping out, I don't see Bequette being helpful to Jones until next season, he seems to be getting the Vereen treatment during his rookie season, and Scott doesn't seem to be a huge difference maker so far. Hopefully Cunningham gets his chances and Hightower adds some more sacks (Mayo too I hope).

 

[PatsBoy12]

Just because he has those stats at this time after 4 games, does not mean he will have the same stats every 4 games. A crappy player can get a sack in the first game of the season, it does not mean that crappy player will wind up with 16 sacks at the end of the year. AND, even if he surpasses Matthews' rookie stats, doesn't mean he will have a better career. Through 3 1/4 season, Matthews has been one of the most disruptive forces in football, and a Pro Bowler since his rookie season. had a down year last year, but he sure looks like he's in beast mode once again. Let's wait a while before we proclaim Jones might have a better career than someone who's achieved so much already.

As far as Scott and Bequette helping out, I don't see Bequette being helpful to Jones until next season, he seems to be getting the Vereen treatment during his rookie season, and Scott doesn't seem to be a huge difference maker so far. Hopefully Cunningham gets his chances and Hightower adds some more sacks (Mayo too I hope).

Much respect to you, Scott, as I truly do see the point you're trying to make. I merely said don't be surprised IF Jones has a better career. Of course none of us knows if that will happen or not. There is nothing absolute in this argument. Furthermore, I could use the same argument you used in your reasoning, which is just because Mathews has had a good first few years does not mean he will continue to play this way. Again, we don't know that he will or he won't. We have seen time and again in sports where players have been amazing for a stretch and fizzle as quickly as they came up, whether it be due to injury, coaching changes, scheme changes, or age catches up to them quicker than other players.

At the end of the day, I really think both men will have incredible careers. They will both benefit their teams tremendously. The only reason I used Mathews as my example is because of the outcry on this board when he was not the one BB chose. He just didn't see what he was looking for, I guess. However, he aggressively traded up to nab Jones. He obviously saw what he was looking for. It appears to be paying dividends right now.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Much respect to you, Scott, as I truly do see the point you're trying to make. I merely said don't be surprised IF Jones has a better career. Of course none of us knows if that will happen or not. There is nothing absolute in this argument. Furthermore, I could use the same argument you used in your reasoning, which is just because Mathews has had a good first few years does not mean he will continue to play this way. Again, we don't know that he will or he won't. We have seen time and again in sports where players have been amazing for a stretch and fizzle as quickly as they came up, whether it be due to injury, coaching changes, scheme changes, or age catches up to them quicker than other players.

At the end of the day, I really think both men will have incredible careers. They will both benefit their teams tremendously. The only reason I used Mathews as my example is because of the outcry on this board when he was not the one BB chose. He just didn't see what he was looking for, I guess. However, he aggressively traded up to nab Jones. He obviously saw what he was looking for. It appears to be paying dividends right now.

Thanks man, the respect is definitely returned. I have not been a HUGE fan of Belichick's draft starategy the last 6 or 7 years, and I truly feel it has hurt us in the last 2 SB losses (by not drafting defensive studs). Defense has been an obvious weakness since 2006, so to see him finally draft defensive studs like Jones and Hightower (and maybe even Wilson and Bequette), as well as Spikes in 2010 helps ease the pain a little bit. I love the way Jones plays, people have been comparing him to JPP of the Giants, and I do see a lot of similarities, but Jones is his own man, hopefully people will be calling others in the future, the next Chandler Jones. That will mean he has become a great NFL defender.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Thanks man, the respect is definitely returned. I have not been a HUGE fan of Belichick's draft starategy the last 6 or 7 years, and I truly feel it has hurt us in the last 2 SB losses (by not drafting defensive studs). Defense has been an obvious weakness since 2006, so to see him finally draft defensive studs like Jones and Hightower (and maybe even Wilson and Bequette), as well as Spikes in 2010 helps ease the pain a little bit. I love the way Jones plays, people have been comparing him to JPP of the Giants, and I do see a lot of similarities, but Jones is his own man, hopefully people will be calling others in the future, the next Chandler Jones. That will mean he has become a great NFL defender.

I know what you mean. I, too, sat and watched the TV with frustration as I watched BB trade down year in and year out. He went for it this year and it should pay off tremendously. Again, I do see the point from your earlier post, and I'm sorry if it seemed like I was slighting Mathews. He has been incredible.

 

[hodgey]

Add more snaps for Cunningham over Nicko along with Hightower going after the Qb with a Dash of Wilson on the back end. This will give us more play making ability to go along with Jones.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I know what you mean. I, too, sat and watched the TV with frustration as I watched BB trade down year in and year out. He went for it this year and it should pay off tremendously. Again, I do see the point from your earlier post, and I'm sorry if it seemed like I was slighting Mathews. He has been incredible.

No worries man, we are all Pat's fanatics, it's good that we all have different views and thoughts to add to a conversation. As far as Matthews, I was upset we didn't draft him, but I believe in all the trades involved (trading down, trading for future picks, etc), we wound up with Gronkowski, and hell, different discussion, but I'd trade all of our draft picks for Gronkowski, what a great pick he wound up being for Belichick, Hernandez as well ! So I drool over the thought of Matthews as a Patriot, but knowing we somehow wound up with Gronkowski because of not drafting Matthews, eases that pain tenfold !

 

[Marqui]

Add more snaps for Cunningham over Nicko along with Hightower going after the Qb with a Dash of Wilson on the back end. This will give us more play making ability to go along with Jones.

That stuff isn't going to happen. For some asinine reason Belichick doesn't really care about pass rush.

 

[ausbacker]

I'm as big a fan of Chandler Jones as any Pat's fan, but let's not go overboard with statements like this. Matthews recorded 51 tackles, 10.0 sacks, 5 pass deflections, a forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries in his rookie season of 2009, and he hasn't stopped yet. 35.5 sacks in 3 1/4 seasons so far, and is an absolute beast and disruptive force, was one of the MAIN reasons GB won the SB. I love Jones' potential, and has already surpassed Matthews forced fumble total as a rookie, and may surpass the 10 sacks, but there are 12 games to go, and like the Chandler article posted, teams know that Jones is the Pat's main pass rusher, so they will start to double team him. I love his overall game, and his non stop motor, but he's going to have to become one of the top disruptive forces in the NFL to have a better career than Matthews.

You know how to embarrass Clay Matthews? You rush in his direction. He's a superb pass rusher but a diabolical run defender.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Chandler has won Defensive Rookie of the Month!

 

[Marqui]

Brady has won the 2007 MVP!

 

[randomk1]

I've almost forgot that the Broncos have Ryan Clady for Chandler. That guy was injured for some time but now looks back in great form. This is going to be a great match up for the defensive rookie of the month.

 

[ExpatPack]

You know how to embarrass Clay Matthews? You rush in his direction. He's a superb pass rusher but a diabolical run defender.

As long as you have 2 blockers ahead of the runner, yeah.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Michael Lombardi Says Best Is Yet to Come for Chandler Jones (Video) - Dennis and Callahan - NESN.com

More and more . . .

 

[nekromantique]

now that ninkovich seems to be settling in at DE (i was one of the ones who thought he might be better off back at OLB...so i admit i was wrong), the pass rush should be fairly solid. i wouldnt expect it to be elite since the pats interior tackles arent really rushers, more run stuffers.

also...man...jones gets held alot without calls...guess its the life of a rookie.