Next Pats Podcast<\/em>.<\/p>\nPerry spoke with Belk at length about the former Houston defensive back, who Belk believes was a perfect fit with the Patriots and someone who Bill Belichick should be able to get the most out of given his Jones’ versatility.<\/p>\n
“I thought it was a perfect fit,” said Belk of his former player.\u00a0 “Nobody knows how to use players with versatility better than coach Belichick and obviously his proven track record over decades of being a coach in the NFL and the production that he’s been able to use.”<\/p>\n
“Not only is he versatile, but he’s probably the most intelligent player that I’ve ever been around.\u00a0 And so that combination, along with the Patriots and what like to do with players like him, it was a perfect match. I’m really happy, I’m excited, I can’t wait to see him play.”<\/p>\n
Belk also talked about Jones’ athleticism on the defensive side of the football, as well as his football prowess.\u00a0 As someone who worked closely with him during their tenure together, Belk praised Jones’ coverage skills along with the fact that he’s someone who was really the first person he felt really had no flaws in his game, aside from his physical restrictions of lacking the height (he’s just 5’8″) that most prototypical defensive backs tend to have.<\/p>\n
“He has elite playmaking ability and I think he’s the most ‘sticky’ type man coverage guy that I’ve ever been around and his intelligence allows him to be elite in zone coverage as well,” said Belk.\u00a0 “He’s the first player that I’ve probably ever coached who has zero flaws in his game except being short.\u00a0 He has great long speed, he has the best ball skills, he’s physical, he’s intelligent, doesn’t make very many mistakes, the only flaw is that he’s short.”<\/p>\n
Belk also believes that Jones is good enough to be a weapon on offense, with the biggest challenge being that he’s also too valuable on the defensive side of things to take him out of the lineup.\u00a0 But given what he’s seen from him when he spent some time on the offensive side of things, he believes he’s got what it takes to also be a solid receiver.<\/p>\n
“In packages, I think [he could be used as a receiver],” Belk said. “I don’t know that he’s not as good on offense as he is on defense. Because if you watch him when he catches the ball on defense or when he touches the ball on a punt return or a kick return, you almost have to hold your breath.”<\/p>\n
“He’s that good with the ball in his hands. He’s even harder to tackle than most offensive players we play on a weekly basis, based on his change of direction and balance and body control. There’s typically not one guy ever tackling him.”<\/p>\n
Here’s the full episode for anyone who hasn’t seen\/heard it:<\/p>\n