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New York Giants: Analyzing impact of James Jones’ signing

By Ryan Disdier

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According to numerous outlets, including Fallon Smith of CSN Bay Area, 31-year-old wide receiver James Jones will be playing for the New York Giants in 2015.

The deal is of the one-year variety, and it’s a deal that will give the Giants one more offensive weapon.

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According to NFL.com’s Ian Raporpot (via Twitter), Jones chose the Giants over the Eagles, Chiefs, Seahawks and Bengals. Rapoport also added Jones ‘loves’ Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo.

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Jones most recently played for the Oakland Raiders, recording 666 yards and six touchdowns last year. However, Jones’s best work came in Green Bay while he was playing in an offensive system not too unlike New York’s.

During his tenure with the Packers, McAdoo was the tight ends and quarterbacks coach, so the two are somewhat familiar with each other. The two left Green Bay after the 2013 season, but Jones’ familiarity means he already has a grasp on the Giants’ west-coast offense.

The 6’1″ receiver isn’t especially spectacular at any one area, but he’s a well-rounded receiver who’s three years removed from leading the entire NFL in receiving touchdowns.

A big-play threat (seriously. This dude had the most underrated catch of last year), Jones was a relatively significant part of the Packers offense.

Although his stats from last year weren’t Pro-Bowl caliber, he still had a respectable year playing with a young quarterback, and being the only real threat Oakland had at receiver.

Yes, Jones played most of his career with Aaron Rodgers (AKA the best quarterback in the NFL), but he wasn’t exactly chopped liver without Rodgers, either.

In the seven games Rodgers missed in 2013, Jones recorded 32 receptions for 410 yards. Scott Tolzien and Matt Flynn were the quarterbacks during that span.

“The biggest issue Eli Manning might have this year is deciding where to deliver the ball.”

So he’s not a receiver who can shine with any signal caller, a la Calvin Johnson. Jones is, however, a receiver who can, and will, thrive in a certain system with a competent quarterback. In my mind, the Giants have both of those things.

Although he won’t be the starter, Jones will add another layer to an already intricate Giants offense. I’ve talked before about how if Victor Cruz or Odell Beckham Jr. should go down with an injury, Dwayne Harris will be ready to step up.

Jones is a more complete receiver than Harris, but the depth the Giants now have at wide receiver is unparalleled in the NFC East.

Essentially, the Giants could have another duo of receivers who are capable of attracting attention from defenses. Few teams in the league boast that luxury, and it’s something that gives the Giants the unquestionable most firepower in the division.

Jones is now the most veteran receiver on the team, and he, along with Cruz, are the only receivers to ever appear in a Super Bowl. To me, this move ranks as the second best one the Giants have made all offseason, behind the addition of the versatile Shane Vereen.

So what can Giants fans who are unfamiliar with Jones expect? Depth, depth and more depth.

I’m quite honestly flabbergasted with the amount of weapons the Giants have to utilize through the air. The biggest issue Eli Manning might have this year is deciding where to deliver the ball.

To put this into perspective, the Giants now have an emerging superstar who amassed over 1,200 yards last year (in 12 games), a returning star who totaled 998 yards (the last time he played more than 10 games),

Nov 17, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones (89) catches a pass against New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Based on that alone, it’s hard to dislike the move to acquire Jones, based simply on the depth the Giants now possess.

Are there any drawbacks from this addition? Well, there’s one that some fans might be very irked about. That’s the fact that New York probably — barring an Eli Manning extension — won’t be able to sign offensive tackle Jake Long, who visited with the Giants early this week.

Long, although a tantalizing option, had health concerns and it seems like the Giants are comfortable moving forward with the offensive line they have, if necessary. We’ll see what happens there, though.

There’s also always the chance that Jones doesn’t make it through training camp. But his experience with similar offenses should help him make the final team.

Upgrading the wide receiver position isn’t exactly a necessity, but it’s a good move nonetheless. Jones will likely prove to be a reliable option as a backup wide receiver, and he’ll pay dividends if a starter gets hurt.

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