OWINGS MILLS — Arthur Jones charged out of his stance, immediately engaging a blocker with his hands before dipping his shoulder and weight to generate power as he busted into the backfield.
A year ago, the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive lineman might have lacked the requisite quick hands, feet and stamina to win this kind of encounter.
This is a different year, though, and a different Jones.
Listed on the roster at 6-foot-3, 313 pounds, Jones has lost a considerable amount of body fat following an unproductive rookie season after being drafted last year in the fifth round out of Syracuse.
Now, Jones regularly works with the first-team defense at left end where he’s competing with veteran Cory Redding.
“Arthur has worked tremendously hard, he’s really matured and come along since last year,” defensive line coach Clarence Brooks said. “It’s good to see he’s really competing. The best thing that could happen to us is we compete against each other and he’s able to do a lot of things for us. It’s a nice mix, and Arthur is a big part of that."
Besides a healthier diet where he incorporated more vegetables, chicken and fish and stayed away from fried foods, Jones practiced a demanding training regimen of mixed martial arts he practiced with his brother: MMA light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones.
The results: He’s noticeably leaner and quicker.
“It was awesome,” Jones said. “We pushed each other. He was training for his world title and I was training for this year. It was a great change of pace and cross-training.
“I was in his corner for his fight. I’m his biggest fan. He’s unbelievable. He’s very strong for his size and he’s taught me a lot of things like how to take angles, and how quick your hands and feet need to be.”
For a defensive lineman, martial arts training appears to translate well to the action on a football field.
The first things a lineman needs at the line of scrimmage are a strong hand punch and a rapid burst.
“I’m working angles on the football field as a pass rusher and when I spar in the gym,” Jones said. “I feel like my hips and hands are working together, really, my whole body out there on the field.”
Jones was only activated for two games last season, dressing out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints contests. He was deactivated for the playoffs and didn’t record a tackle last season.
When Jones began training camp as the starter ahead of Redding, it came as a surprise.
“Arthur Jones is doing really well,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s grown and matured. He’s a little bit leaner and a little bit quicker. He’s just making more plays. He’s a better technician. He’s doing a nice job.”
For the former Syracuse standout, his first NFL season was a major disappointment after recording 145 career tackles, 38 1/2 tackles for losses, 6 1/2 sacks and four fumble recoveries for the Orangemen. The Ravens drafted the All-Big East Conference selection 157th overall last year.
“I feel a lot stronger and a lot faster than I was as a rookie,” Jones said. “It was like I was a freshman all over again. Now, I have a sense of urgency. I learned how to push myself farther. I’m learning fast and I’m ready to compete.
“Last year, was more of a learning experience. I’m feeling confident. Now, I have a grasp of the playbook and I understand the defense better. I just want to go out there and dominate every single play.”
One major plus with Jones is his versatility.
The Ravens can line him up at defensive end, defensive tackle or nose guard.
“He’s getting better every day,” defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said. “We’ve played him in a couple different spots. So, he brings some versatility that way. He comes out here and he doesn’t say a word.
“We press him pretty hard, coach Brooks does a great job with him, and you can see him just starting to take off. So, he’s been a pleasant surprise at this point.”
Despite his collegiate success and NFL status, Jones has yet to achieve as much as his relatively famous younger brother as a professional athlete.
Jones is intent on gaining some bragging rights this season.
“I’m the older brother, so I try to tell him everything,” Jones said. “It’s a great sibling rivalry. It’s a great competition. We want to make our parents’ name a great one.”
