The rise and fall of one-game wonder Jonas Gray

KontradictioN said:

So he’s garbage. Or no?

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Neither.

Older players just didn't get drafted in the XFL. Clay Harbor, Trent Richardson, a number of others. I think Siliga did get drafted (he's 29 like Gray) but I think they're trying to sell it as an NFL showcase, especially since they're recruiting supplemental draft guys like the West Virginia safety, rather than a weird collection of has beens and never weres like the UFL and AAF. Plus running back is such an interchangeable position, why trot out Jonas Grays when you can roll the dice on young guys who aren't known quantities.

Gray's issue was he was a more or less average talent at a position where there are a hundred guys every year leaving college who are more or less average talents. I feel bad he disappeared after that game, though. Mostly a result of Blount becoming available and injury luck, then the signing of Dion Lewis to a futures contract.

Belichick just signed Antonio Brown, and you want me to believe Jonas Gray lost it all because he was late to one meeting?

TheAdultintheRoom said:

Belichick just signed Antonio Brown, and you want me to believe Jonas Gray lost it all because he was late to one meeting?

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Yeah, but then Bill fired AB for text messages. But a number of people here feel that this was out of character for Bill. So, who knows?

I remember that game. I jumped off of the sofa with a loud MEEEOOOW!!!
I was also sad when he did not play during the games that followed.

I think the story is more an indictment of the Colts defense than how good Gray could have been. He was an undrafted player that shredded the Colts defense on National TV and then couldn't replicate it again, with the Pats and two other teams.

Always sad for someone not to realize their dreams but Gray is was he is- a plodder without elite athletic talent.

At the end of the day he was good enough to play in the NFL, make the cover of SI, play with and for GOATs and collect a Super Bowl ring. He should be proud of that as that puts him in pretty good company.

Greetings,
I don't think him being late had anything to do with him being cut. If it was, BB would have gotten rid of him a lot sooner. Like BB said, Jonas got caught up in the numbers game and Blount was a better more consistent back. His performance is why people say "Any Given Sunday" and this is why they play the games. I hope he finds success in life in whatever avenue he chooses to go into!!

Celticboy04

Pat the Pats Fan said:

I think the story is more an indictment of the Colts defense than how good Gray could have been.

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Yeah, especially since Blount basically did the same thing later that year against the Colts.

Pape said:

that was good stuff

here's the si article: November 24, 2014 Issue Viewer

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Always loved that secondary headline: "The Relentless, Anonymous Brilliance of the New England Patriots."

PP2 said:

So sad. I feel bad for him. Sure, his subsequent actions were unwarranted, but you hate to see someone work so hard to get to a point and suddenly become a flash in the pan. It's all over, just like that.

I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

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Timmy Smith: One Big Game, One Big Regret

SammyBlueCat said:

I remember that game. I jumped off of the sofa with a loud MEEEOOOW!!!
I was also sad when he did not play during the games that followed.

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Come on. Dude was kitty litter and you know it.

There was much more to it than just a tardy that we’ll never know. I remember he was back with us the next preseason and had a long td run but ultimately didn’t make the team. Then he got another shot with Miami and eventually out of it there. So hes had more chances. I was a fan of his, consistent bjge type who would get the yards if they were there but not very explosive.

Actual Pats Fan said:

Timmy Smith: One Big Game, One Big Regret

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Thanks for posting that.

Man he had a killer game.

It is up to the player to make sure that his phone is charging rather than to assume that it will. That's neither hard nor too much to ask. Tough mistake, but sh!t happens

FortressX said:

Fantasy vs. reality: The rise and fall of one-game wonder Jonas Gray

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Now there's a guy who blew his wad too early.

Missing practice is a death sentence. Plus bad luck with Blount becoming available.

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