Good on Ya, #24 - Cy Jones Gets It

The punt return duty is a plus for me, I'm really concerned with his ability as a CB.

Who had zero starts and was 1/3 passing for a grand total of 6 yards his rookie year? Said player was in college for 5 years and still wasn't quite ready for the NFL. Can't expect all rookies to hit the ground running. Especially, younger ones. Good Luck Cyrus, great attitude.

The lad will be fine in my eyes. He has the grit and determination to correct his errors, wouldn't surprise me if he leads the league in returns averages, another thing is he's not walking into the easiet franchise in the world. We tend to expect our rookies to play like 2nd year players, I feel he will be fine in the long run. Glad to see he made mistakes this season as it shows he cares and is accountable!

talk is cheap. lets see what he does on the field.

We'll see what happens. We need him to step up in two areas - ST's and CB. He must the a giant step forward and that's usually hard during the sophomore season. However, he comes from a great program and is now playing in a great program. He will have plenty of good coaching and winners around to help him. Good luck, Cy. We'll need you for that try at six rings.

farn said:

Wasn't it Chung that took the heat like an adult when he messed up on STs early in his career ? Hoping Cy trends in the same direction. No question though : I was not sad to see him inactive for the three last (crucial) games.

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Kevin Faulk also......

captain insano said:

talk is cheap. lets see what he does on the field.

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Nobody was annointing him, Captain.

But if there is any lesson to be learned from the 2016 season (again and again and again and again) is that maturity is half the battle.

Google: Odell Beckham Jr, Antonio Brown et al, for illustrations of why if you don't have half a football brain, you sink your team no matter how talented and gifted you are.

NFL teams cannot work with stupid (although for some reason, 31 teams try). The Patriots can at least work with this kid.

It must be humbling to go from being a star player on a national championship team to a 2nd round pick made inactive for the postseason. BB: "Hey Cyrus, after watching you perform this entire season, we think we like our playoff chances better without you." Ouch.

I do hope this motivates him and he has a stellar sophomore campaign in response.

Regards,
Chris

Thanks, Shmesh for finding this. I stated in some past post that I thought CJones would be a top 3 CB for us next season, IF he came into the off season with the right attitude, and make the effort to improve his game. I don't think there was ever an issue with his athletic skills, either at CB or as a returner.

His comments were JUST want I wanted him to say. It will take a bit of a load off my CB worries, IF he actually does what he says. Between JJones, CJones and Butler we will have 3 smurf CB's that can take care of people's speed/quickness WR's. What we need to add to this team's arsenal at CB is another tall guy and this draft is deep at CB, especially if we wind up with a pick higher than 32. THAT addition will make losing Ryan a bit more palatable.

My other point to those who think what they saw from CJones this year is what you'll get goint forward is this. Never underestimate the power of this coaching staff to improve willing players.

Just look at the growth of Logan Ryan over the years. He was a disater in his first year. He was improved in his second, came into his own in his 3rd year, and has put himself into position to make a ton of money after his 4th....and he isn't as physically talented as Jones. But he was coachable, a hard worker, and willing to do what he had to, to improve.

So it is good to know that CJones has talked the talk. Now let's see if he actually walks the walk.

patfanken said:

What we need to add to this team's arsenal at CB is another tall guy and this draft is deep at CB, especially if we wind up with a pick higher than 32. THAT addition will make losing Ryan a bit more palatable.

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Hey Ken, Eric Rowe says hi!

(and he played VERY well down the stretch this year)

shmessy said:

Hey Ken, Eric Rowe says hi!

(and he played VERY well down the stretch this year)

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C'mon Shness, you want just ONE big CB. How many times in a year the Pats play teams with more than one "big" receiver.

The Pats usually keep 5 CB's. If we add another big, then a combination of 3 guys who can keep up with anyone's speed guys and 2 big guys who you can use like we used Rowe this year, would make a dynamite combination on a week to week basis, with everyone playing a role against whatever combinations an opponent presents.

Of course that assumes the Jones boys make the 2nd year leap, and BB finds a big CB that can contribute his first year.

BTW- from a very early look at this draft. I believe that if we wind up with a pick in the top 15, when it comes time for the Pats to pick the guy who is highest on their board, regardless of position, could very well be one of those CB's Some think as many as 5 could go in the first round. That being said, if there is DE or DT are rated as high as the CB, Bill will go there.

I must apologize for my game day thread type reaction to him during the Ravens game. I'm wishing the best for him. Good stuff.

I forgive him.

farn said:

Wasn't it Chung that took the heat like an adult when he messed up on STs early in his career ? Hoping Cy trends in the same direction. No question though : I was not sad to see him inactive for the three last (crucial) games.

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Chung did for a fake punt call, Slater as a rookie for a fumble on a kickoff return. Can't forget Gronk as a rookie with a fumble and botched kickoff return in a loss against Cleveland that had some calling for him to be cut.

Rookies sometimes play like well . . . rookies. And rather than crucifying them for every single mistake, we should show them our support and help them overcome those issues. Because if we cut every rookie that made a mistake, we wouldn't have enough players to field a team.

Jones is showing maturity here, disappointed in himself but being a good teammate and I have no doubt he will work hard to become a better player. Just like Logan Ryan did, just like James White did, just like so many other Patriots before him. We should do whatever we can go encourage him and lift his spirits and cheer him on, but I know that Ryan has played so well, the angry fans need a new whipping boy.