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Green Bay Packers: James Jones Appears Headed Home

By Russell S. Baxter

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It seems to be a trend we see more and more each year.

Prominent free agents test the market when they can go out and find out what they are truly worth. Many depart for bigger roles or bigger paychecks and more times than not it turns out to be a good move.

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But when things do go sour and that player becomes expendable or no longer wanted due to any number of factors (financial, change of system, etc.), that performer gets his walking papers (or is not re-signed) and in many occasions winds up returning to the place where his NFL career began.

A few years ago, the Oakland Raiders welcomed back veteran defender Charles Woodson after he spent seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. We saw our share of reunions in Cincinnati this offseason when defensive end Michael Johnson and defensive tackle Pat Sims returned to the Bengals after very short stints elsewhere. There are examples just about everywhere and it’s been happening for a few years now.

Aug 29, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets cornerback

Marcus Williams

(20) strips the ball from New York Giants wide receiver

James Jones

(89) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Giants 28-18. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

It looks like were about to have another reunion, this time in Titletown. Nothing is official as of this writing but according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, the Packers are about to sign veteran wide receiver James Jones. Earlier this year, the eight-year pro was cut loose after one year with the Oakland Raiders, a team he joined in 2014 courtesy of a three-year deal.

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This summer, he joined the New York Giants but was among that team’s final cuts this weekend. Now it appears he will be reunited with the likes of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver Randall Cobb and head coach Mike McCarthy as he looks to fill the shoes of injured wideout Jordy Nelson, out for all of 2015 with a torn ACL.

There doesn’t figure to be much of a learning curve when it comes to getting back in sync with Rodgers and the offense. “I’m only one year removed,” said Jones on Sunday. “It seems like 10 years, but time will wait. Get with Aaron. I’m sure they probably have some new stuff. We’ll see what happens, but let’s make it happen first.”

A third-round pick by Green Bay in 2007 out of San Jose State, Jones spent seven seasons with the Packers and caught 310 passes for 4,305 yards and 37 touchdowns. His best year with the team came in 2012 when he caught 64 passes and led the NFL with 14 scoring receptions.

Nov 9, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver James Jones (89) runs past Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) after making a catch in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

In 2014, he signed with the Silver and Black and led the club with a career-high 73 catches. Six of those grabs went for scores but Jones averaged a mere 9.1 yards per reception. Oakland drafted Amari Cooper in the first round and added Michael Crabtree via free agency and the former Packers wideout quickly became a former Raiders receiver.

Now it looks like he’s headed back to the team that brought him into the league eight years ago. And if he can take even a little of the sting out of losing Nelson for all of this season it will be a worthwhile reunion.

Next: Green Bay Packers: If…And…But for 2015

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