Im so sick of hearing that Jones can't be a RT.. It is very clear that Mangini is building an athletic OL.. Can anyone tell me a more athletic T tandem than DBrick & A. Jones? Didn't think so.. The game has changed alot over the years, pretty much gone are the days of the bull rushing DE, they are replaced by the speed rushers.. Yes Jones did struggle at RT early in the year but not only was he making his first start at RT he was also getting his first taste of the NFL.. He started to improve as the season went on, he would have made improvements regardless if he switched to LT or stayed at RT.
I agree in so much that today most defenses try to move their best speed rushers around to take advantage of mismatches. Having two athletic tackles helps with these speed rushers no matter what side they line up. The concern is that typically these more athletic tackles are not as productive in run blocking; this is a concern I have for both Brick and AJ. I'm hoping another year in the off season program will add some strength to Jones and it will also underscore the importance of good interior play to assist in run blocking. Will be interesting to watch in TC....
I agree that Adrian Jones can be a decent RT. Everyone got their panties in a bunch when it was suggested, but its not as big of a deal as everyone is making it out to be.
He's going to have to be a RT or else he ain't going to play. I just don't want to see D'brick on the right side at all. I would rather he sit on the bench until he is ready to play the left side. It just seems like all the can't miss LT prospects (Gross, Harris, Brown, Gallery) start on the right then get so accustomed to it that they can't switch back to the left.
I think Jones can be a good pass blocking RT, but I still have concerns about his run blocking. He's got good feet and moves fluidly...but doesn't have burst. I also still worry he has shorter arms.
Jones struggled at RT last season, but the same can be said about all of our offensive linemen last year. A great portion of OL success comes from chemistry between the players and their ability to "grow" as a unit. With that being said, I feel as though Jones can be a solid RT if we use a zone blocking system and the new talents live up to their potential.
I think another year of experience, another year in the weight room and a year removed from Marrone will do AJ wonders in '06.
Like Rambo said, he's either there or he's nowhere. But what kind of offense would you run if you had two athletic tackles who were both... let's say less-than-ideal run blockers? We all know you ahve to run the ball to have success, so what do we do? Zone blocking? Focus on interior running? What?
He's already gained several pounds for this season, and with his first starting season out of the way he can only go up.
No need to read the other responses...I totally agree with you.. Will definitely be interesting to watch in TC, the problem is is that our center Mangold, is defintely going to be light in the ass, so that really calls into question: Where will we be able to run the ball effectively?
What exactly did Adrian Jones do last year that proved he couldn't be an OT? People on here are acting like he is Matt Willig.
nyjunc, Jones is ok - but not great. I think the kid is smart with good feet, but I wonder if he can run block power block at RT? I am hopeful that the new CS can work with him. I've always liked Tony Wise...but I understand the concerns. I also wonder if Clements will start at RT?
I thought when we drafted him and I still think it now, he'd be better suited as a guard because of his athletisism and lack of girth. Ellis
He was a rookie and the whole Ol was in shambles and he was moved around, he showed mroe than enough to me that he can play in this league and I expct he'll be alot better in yr. 2.
