When the Ravens re-signed wide receiver/kick returner Jacoby Jones back in March, the organization basically killed two birds with one stone – the return of Jones not only gave the kick return game some insurance but also provided quarterback Joe Flacco with an increased continuity with another one of his wide receivers.
In 2013, Jones saw action in 12 games, including nine starts (he missed four games due to a knee injury), and finished fourth on the team with 37 receptions (the second-highest total of his career) for 455 yards and two touchdowns.
The electrifying return man who dazzled us with his skills during the Ravens’ Super Bowl run again turned in another solid performance on kickoffs in 2013. Over the five final games last season, Jones returned 14 kickoffs for 442 yards and one touchdown (31.6-yard average).
Heading into the 2014 offseason, the Ravens’ primary focus has been shoring up their lackluster offense that left a lot to be desired in 2013.
With Gary Kubiak now calling the plays on the offensive side of the football, it remains to be seen exactly what role Jones will play in what has become a relatively crowded receiving corps.
Will Jones see his reps cut with the free agent signing of wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. and other new “weapons” or will his prior relationship with Kubiak help his cause in the receiving game even more?
“My role is always the same,” Jones stated. “Whatever they want me to do, I’ll do it. If it’s getting there to make a certain block or returning a kick or punt or just this one play to stretch the field and open up this guy, whatever my role is, I’ll do it.”
There’s no two ways about it, Jones is certainly a team player.
As we have all witnessed, Jones is an instant game changer – as long as Mike Tomlin doesn’t get in the way, of course.
Even with all of the new weapons, let’s hope there are still a few pages in the 2014 playbook earmarked for Jacoby.
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