The Philadelphia Eagles took a chance in the second round selection of Washington Football cornerback Sidney Jones. But he will prove to be the perfect fit
The Philadelphia Eagles are a proud and passionate football team and fanbase. To play for the Philadelphia Eagles in the southeastern city of Pennsylvania, it is neither a job nor a right. It is a privilege. And right now, that is exactly how the former Washington Football team’s cornerback, Sidney Jones, sees it. And right now, he’s itching to be out on that playing field:
"“Whenever I get back out there,” he said on Friday at the NovaCare Complex, “it’s going to be special.” – per interview as reported by PhiladelphiaEagles.com Dave Spadaro"
City of passion
On one hand, I know Philadelphia and her fans. The city is impassioned with the Eagles, past, present, and future. But east coast fans do not pay homage to their sports figures. They love. Tough love. They cheer a player who gives effort and puts it all out there for the team. They boo when a player short arms a catch to avoid the inevitable hit from a defensive back.
On the other hand, they are always watching and deciding. They are looking for more than simply outstanding plays (albeit they love those!). Fans want outstanding effort. A guy who battles all the time, who works hard to be in the right place at the right time. A football player who delivers on the field. A professional who decides “enough!” and then makes the stop.
In summary, the fans are some of the most passionate in the NFL.
Passion? Check!
Passionate fans demand passionate players. Not for the money, nor the fame, but for the love of the game. And straight from the player’s mouth, that is exactly what the Philadelphia Eagles will get.
"“You’re getting a passionate player who loves football,” Jones said. “Couldn’t be happier than to be in the position I’m in right now. You’re getting a great football player, a great person, somebody who loves to compete, and who goes hard every time he steps on the field.”"
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I watched his senior season at the University of Washington. He is all that and more. Now, don’t confuse that with a loose cannon. He is incredibly disciplined. He had one of the best college defensive back coaches in Coach Jimmy Lake.
Great unit
That resulted not only in great play on his part, but also from the likes of teammates as well. The group played as one unit. They covered as intelligently as defensive backs can. But when they hit, they tackled with all the passion from the fans in the stands.
But even the most passionate player is subject to injury. Right now, that looms as the biggest question. When? And even moreso, will the recovery result in a player just as effective as the PAC-12 version?
Recovery takes time
Some look at the injury to Sidney Jones’ Achilles Heel as the key element that dropped him out of the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft and emptied his first NFL contract of millions of dollars. Perhaps that view is correct.
Autzen Zoo
But from a differing perspective, Sidney Jones IV is a very cerebral player. He studies film, learns his opponent’s tendencies, and succeeds in many contests by anticipating correctly. So the preparation for the NFL is as much about observing as it is training his body.
In the NFL, the timetable is something nobody will commit to because it opens the door to criticism. Rush ahead of a conservative timetable, and the opinion is he was hurried back. Fall behind an aggressive timetable, and the opinion is he suffered a setback.
Four-six month healing process
The healing process is very much an individual matter, but physicians did lay out the timetable as a four-six month process. Per that timetable, he has passed the eight week mark, and is now walking in shoes. It’s the end of June 2017. The timetable projects his return to full health between the end of August 2017 to the end of October 2017.
But that is just the healing process. From that point on, he will need to train to be NFL ready. That could project Jones’ playing time to mid-December.
Be ready to play when you step onto the field
So far, he understands the situation he is in, and is making the best of it:
"“I can get better by taking mental reps, as I’m not practicing,” he said. “Watch practice, see what people are doing good and see what people are doing bad and just learn from that. Film room, weight room, nutrition. Everything can play a part in progressing yourself as a player. I’m feeling good. Everything looks good to them (the medical staff). We’re just going to follow the protocol and the schedule. No rush to get me back. We’re just going to go whenever I’m ready, whenever everybody else feels I’m ready.” – Per PhiladelphiaEagles.com Dave Spadaro Interview"
The Philadelphia Eagles could come out ahead from all of this navigation of Jones injury. If the team finds success this season, the defensive backfield gets a huge boost later in the season. If Sidney Jones IV delivers the same level of play demonstrated during his Washington Football days, his return will give the Eagles a boost as they make a run at the playoffs.
But the team must win without Jones to make that happen
If the timetable for Jones’ return is too late in the season, the team may simply call the season a wash and simply await next season to debut Jones.
CB Jones brings reasons for optimism
When healthy, when NFL ready, cornerback Sidney Jones is a complete NFL cornerback. On one hand, he is always thinking, always strategizing. On the other hand, he is more than a cover corner. In summary, he negates the pass receiver, but he delivers punishing tackles too. In fact, he is everything the very discerning Philadelphia Eagles fans hope for in a defensive back.
The anticipation is thick and tangible. But not with Jones alone, but with his defensive back coach Cory Undlin. His thoughts about Jones appeared in a recent interview reported by TheEaglesWire.com
"“I am excited about it. Going through the draft process, I watched every game that he played in college. I hope I’m here to be coaching him when he comes back,” Undlin said with a laugh. “You watch the tape, it’s pretty good. His ability to drop his body and get his feet on the ground and come out with violence and efficiency is special.”"
Jones potential is sky-high
In the end, Jones played against some of the nation’s best receivers, including Washington Football teammate John Ross, fastest man in the NFL.
Ross rarely bites on double moves. He sets up close to his receiver and shadows him. When the ball takes off, he tracks the ball and often places himself into the better position to make an interception or deflect the pass. He gave up no touchdown passes in his senior year.
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In the ever oscillating NFC East, no team has one the title two consecutive years in some time. the last time the Philadelphia Eagles rose the top of the conference was 2013. This could be the year the team rises once more. Should they do so, Jones will be one of the reasons. He is more than just a “solid college football player”. He plays like a fan. And that reason alone makes him the perfect fit for the Philadelphia Eagles.