We Need A Nickel/Slot Defensive Back

[mgteich]

What we have is the loss of Ryan. If Butler is still here, I agree that we have enough "chess pieces" to work out something good at nickel.

Absent Ryan, we've simply lost a top player and will hope that someone who has shown little will step up. If Butler isn't staying, I would expect us to add a corner or two for camp.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

What we have is the loss of Ryan. If Butler is still here, I agree that we have enough "chess pieces" to work out something good at nickel.

Absent Ryan, we've simply lost a top player and will hope that someone who has shown little will step up. If Butler isn't staying, I would expect us to add a corner or two for camp.

There ain't no damn "chess pieces" you guys have written cyrus Jones off way to early. The man is gonna represent this year, and please bookmark this post, as he makes all you negative Nellie's look like the chumps you are.
He knows he failed in his freshman year, repeatedly!
The man LOVES the game! Which by Mr. Jordan Cameron is hard to come by in this sport.
Cyrus Jones.. supposed 6th round selection chosen by the genius in the 2nd...
Love it! Didn't love Wilson, or Richards there...But this one will pay!

 

[Ochmed Jones]

You do understand that bb plays a quarters scheme in the secondary now right?

This is not the same defense that needed a Kyle Arrington to cover the slot.

We have the personnel in the secondary to match up with any offense as is now, with butler.

What we desperately need is a pass rusher and cover linebacker.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

You do understand that bb plays a quarters scheme in the secondary now right?

This is not the same defense that needed a Kyle Arrington to cover the slot.

We have the personnel in the secondary to match up with any offense as is now, with butler.

What we desperately need is a pass rusher and cover linebacker.

It's coming...

 

[maineman209]

While Jones did have a terrible rookie season, I think it's important to be a little more specific. He was one of the worst returners I've ever seen, and that's where the bulk of his work came. As a corner, I didn't think he was so bad. Fine for a rookie, IMO.

Agree.

Certainly, the bulk of Cy Jones' notoriety came from his return efforts. However, the bulk of his use in 2016 was on defense.

51 snaps on ST:
... 14 punt returns, including 3 fair-caught
... 8 kick returns (plus however many touchbacks)
... 5 fumbles on the 22 punts/kicks he touched (1 lost)

147 defensive snaps:
... 33, wk-3, HOU (46% of defensive snaps)
... 18, wk-5, CLE (28%)
... 18, wk-12, Rams (35%)
... 48, wk-13, BAL (69%)
His other 30 defensive snaps were spread among the other six games for which he was active.

 

[maineman209]

I hear you. But, to me, it all ties together. He talked about losing confidence and questioning a desire to continue playing. Not only that, but he was inactive for many games.

I don't think roster concerns were such that if he was playing well as a DB they'd keep him off the game day roster in favor of someone else at CB or another position.

I do agree that a bulk of his struggles were obviously ST's related, but again, I think there obviously was more to it for him to be inactive so often and for the playoffs.

Looked at another way, the Pats often keep otherwise useful subs on the bench in favor of keeping critical ST coverage guys active.

Both Coleman and Cy Jones were inactive for six games.
... Coleman: 227 defensive snaps (significant percentages in 8 games), but only 65 ST snaps
... Cy Jones: 147 defensive snaps (significant % in 4 games), 51 ST snaps (almost all as a returner or blocker for another returner)
- It's possible, perhaps even likely, that both were spending the bulk of their practice time with the defense rather than with ST.

Meanwhile, Jon Jones was active all 16 games.
... only 64 snaps with the defense, 32 of them in one game (wk-5, CLE, 51% of the defensive snaps)
... 307 snaps on ST coverage units, fourth highest on the team

So, it's not necessarily the case that Cy Jones was "benched" exclusively for his fumbles or for poor defensive play. He did play 69% of the defensive snaps in wk-13 vs. BAL.

 

[Doctor DDS]

Assuming Butler goes, the fight for the 3rd/slot CB will be one of the most interesting battles in camp. I have a feeling that Cy Jones will get the nod and be serviceable but he will be panned like Ryan was the majority of his time here.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Looked at another way, the Pats often keep otherwise useful subs on the bench in favor of keeping critical ST coverage guys active.

Both Coleman and Cy Jones were inactive for six games.
... Coleman: 227 defensive snaps (significant percentages in 8 games), but only 65 ST snaps
... Cy Jones: 147 defensive snaps (significant % in 4 games), 51 ST snaps (almost all as a returner or blocker for another returner)
- It's possible, perhaps even likely, that both were spending the bulk of their practice time with the defense rather than with ST.

Meanwhile, Jon Jones was active all 16 games.
... only 64 snaps with the defense, 32 of them in one game (wk-5, CLE, 51% of the defensive snaps)
... 307 snaps on ST coverage units, fourth highest on the team

So, it's not necessarily the case that Cy Jones was "benched" exclusively for his fumbles or for poor defensive play. He did play 69% of the defensive snaps in wk-13 vs. BAL.

I hear you and this is fair. My only rebuttal would be he was none too impressive on D against BMore. However, the point you made is still very valid. Thank you for pointing it out.

 

[Dexter]

Want to make touchbacks a more exciting play? Consider this change

Cornerback Cyrus Jones, the Patriots’ top 2016 draft choice (60th overall) who had a rocky first year, is hoping to spark a turnaround in 2017. To do so, I’m told he has been training hard in New Jersey, with the goal to return to the club’s offseason program next month and, as someone close to him explained, “getting back to what the Patriots drafted him to be, a significant part of the team"

 

[JarOfMayo51]

People who completely write players off after their rookie year crack me up

Cyrus Jones will have a chance to redeem himself in training camp and show everyone why he was drafted in the 2nd round.. We should all be rooting for the guy and hope he can do just that

 

[BTTA]

People who completely write players off after their rookie year crack me up

Cyrus Jones will have a chance to redeem himself in training camp and show everyone why he was drafted in the 2nd round.. We should all be rooting for the guy and hope he can do just that

 

[luuked]

People who completely write players off after their rookie year crack me up

Cyrus Jones will have a chance to redeem himself in training camp and show everyone why he was drafted in the 2nd round.. We should all be rooting for the guy and hope he can do just that

There is a reason why Mayo said that Jones is his candidate for a breakout season. According to Giardi he explained his reasoning to the entire newsroom after taping QuickSlants. Giardi said they will try to get the thing into the Ex Pats podcast.

In any case, I expect to see a Cannon like revelation with Cyrus this year. He has all the tools and the experience of an entire season in him.

 

[zydecochris]

There is a reason why Mayo said that Jones is his candidate for a breakout season. According to Giardi he explained his reasoning to the entire newsroom after taping QuickSlants. Giardi said they will try to get the thing into the Ex Pats podcast.

In any case, I expect to see a Cannon like revelation with Cyrus this year. He has all the tools and the experience of an entire season in him.

I still have high hopes for him this year also, I was very surprised that he seemed to lose confidence last year (at least with the returns), in college his real strength was his toughness, confidence, willingness to take on any challenge, and intangibles. If there was a 6'6" receiver starting to make some big catches, it was 5'10" Jones yelling in Saban's ear wanting to take on that receiver. Plus, in college he seemed to have complete amnesia when it came to mistakes (unlike his Pats return career). He was always aggressively looking to take it to the end zone on any return. If he muffed a punt, most returners would be more careful and just take what they could the next time. With Jones, he would get even more aggressive and try 3x as hard to take it to the end zone next time (and it often worked for him). I think on the Pats he tried that "get even more aggressive and take it to the end zone" approach and it just didn't work, and (to my surprise) he lost confidence. Hopefully this year will be a big rebound year for him.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

I don't think we can say with any level of certainty that Cyrus Jones is not any good just yet. He was god awful in the return game but, defensively, I don't think he looked terrible just yet. There's definitely room to grow, but he has the pedigree for the job. He played in a very similar system in college. He was drafted that high with a plan in mind and the nickel role is probably it. He'll be given every opportunity to earn that role.

I don't ever want to see Cyrus Jones anywhere near a kick return or see him throw any more punches in a game but, I'm with you, I don't recall him being all that bad otherwise. He seems like something of a knucklehead but I'll keep a happy thought and hold out hope that he outgrows this.

 

[maineman209]

I don't ever want to see Cyrus Jones anywhere near a kick return or see him throw any more punches in a game but, I'm with you, I don't recall him being all that bad otherwise. He seems like something of a knucklehead but I'll keep a happy thought and hold out hope that he outgrows this.

You might be right about the knucklehead part.

OTOH, I saw his return highlight reel from Alabama a few months ago. He caught the ball clean, took one quick look and somehow saw a lane that wasn't even open yet ... and was gone. I mean, "gone" like instantly everyone else on the field looked like they were in a slo-mo replay.

I'm hopeful that he finds a way to cure his yips. If he does, I think we may see a guy who plays even faster than he timed (which was pretty fast).

 

[doesntmatter1]

My best guess is that Coleman will be the slot with J. Jones chipping in as well.

I don't know about Cyrus. I have never been more pissed at a rookie before. I can absolutely accept a guy just not being good enough and wish them well outside of football, but I genuinely felt like Cyrus was doing it on PURPOSE. I was almost upset Goodell didn't also take away the pick that was used to draft Cyrus lol. I am going to let it go and hope the best for him even though I question his speed, not quickness, for the position.

 

[stinkypete]

If Cyrus Jones does not win the job, it will be a colossal disappointment.