Green Bay Packers: Is James Jones done in Green Bay?
By Nick Ziegler
The Green Bay Packers were able to overcome a lot in the 2015 season, as they survived an injury to one of their best players and still made a run in the playoffs.
Before the season started, the Packers lost their No.1 wide receiver, Jordy Nelson, to a season-ending knee injury, as he suffered a torn ACL. In 2014, Nelson was a beast for the Packers, totaling 98 receptions, 1,519 receiving yards, and 13 receiving touchdowns.
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The loss of Nelson may have flown under the radar to start the season, as the Packers did start the season on a nice run, but it was certainly noticed when their offense laid some eggs against good teams.
When Nelson went down, the Packers expected their No. 2 wide receiver Randall Cobb to step it up, as he had a very good 2014 season, totaling 91 receptions, 1,287 receiving yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns.
As the No.1 receiver in 2015, Cobb saw his numbers take a noticeable drop, as he totaled 79 receptions, 829 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns. Cobb was unable to carry the load for the Packers as the No.1 option, as defenses really keyed on him all season.
In addition to Cobb struggling as a No. 1 receiver, Davante Adams also was a failure as stepping in as a second option for Aaron Rodgers. Last season, Adams totaled 50 receptions, 483 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown in a disappointing sophomore season.
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After the injury to Nelson, the Packers were able to bring back a familiar face in wide receiver James Jones. After the 2013 season, Jones signed with the Oakland Raiders but lasted just one season in Oakland. Jones was then cut from the New York Giants in 2015 before the season, which was certainly a move they regretted when Victor Cruz was announced out for the season.
In his second stint with Packers, Jones had a great season, as he totaled 50 receptions, 890 receiving yards, and eight receiving touchdowns.
“Like I told my wife before I came here, I just want to have the best season of my life and help this team win,” Jones said to Rob Reischel of the Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel. “But I was just excited about the opportunities Aaron gave me, a chance to make some plays and show my talent.”
With Nelson returning in 2016, Jones may be the odd man out in Green Bay, as the Packers do have some young receivers in Jared Abbrederis, Jeff Janis, and Ty Montgomery to go along with their core of Nelson, Cobb, and Adams.
Reischel of the Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel believes that Jones will be playing elsewhere in 2016, mainly because of his age.
"Jones will turn 32 this off-season, an age general manager Ted Thompson usually shies away from. But Jones is one of Rodgers’ favorite receivers, a model citizen and a steadying presence in a typically young locker room."
“Hopefully, I did enough to get a good contract from somebody or somewhere,” Jones said to Reischel. “I feel good man. I want to play as long as I possibly can. Keep this thing rolling.
“But at the end of the day, man, I would love to finish my career here. It’s where I started, I would love to finish out here. I’m tired of moving my family. But who knows how it’s going to work out.”
Jones had a very productive season for the Packers in 2015, and while it may not be home in 2016, he should be able to sign with another team for next season.