Josh Jones makes his mark with Green Bay Packers defense
If there were a Sunday coming out party as big as that provided by and for Packers safety Josh Jones, I’m not sure where to find it.
The young assassin has taken to his new job in Green Bay with a downhill view of the field.
“The way coach Capers draws it out, it’s tough on the offense. He draws it up, and then it’s up to us to get home,” Jones said after Sunday’s win.
Twelve tackles, two sacks and two quarterback hits later, Josh Jones’ name was well known to all who watched him and the Packers come back from 14 points for an improbable 27-24 Week 3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Kevin King, who saw his own challenges Sunday, could see Jones’ impact. Of course he approved, as did everyone else.
King said of Jones: “Lights out. He played lights out.”
Not only were Jones’ sacks impressive, but when he had the chance to make plays, he was there.
Always around the ball, Josh Jones’ pass coverage, especially that of the tight ends, was impressive. Bringing the guy down was his focus and he did so, time and again.
Not only did Jones catch the attention of his fellow rookie, King, but veteran Morgan Burnett was also impressed.
“No matter what stage he’s on, he’s going to go out and play football. He’s going to keep the game simple. He’s very mature for his age. Coming in, just being around him and hearing him talk, you wouldn’t think he’s a rookie.”
No, and Sunday he didn’t play like one either.
Jones’ contributions weren’t lost on Aaron Rodgers either.
“He was fantastic, he really was. It’s fun to watch him play and get confident,” Rodgers said of Jones. “(That’s important) for young players like that, and for Josh especially.
“He got a lot of action and he made the most of it. He was huge for us with the sacks, with the stops, with the coverage. I’m really happy for him. It was the stuff that we saw in training camp.”
Even Ricky Jean Francois got in on the love fest: “He don’t look like a rookie. If he’s playing like a rookie, please show me. Because that kid is playing the way we need him to play.”
Granted, this is just one game and the Packers were playing a winless team. However, the Bengals showed Sunday they weren’t about to seen as soft. They, too, were flying around and Making plays.
Just ask Aaron Rodgers, who went down under a Bengals defensive barrage that sacked him six times and intercepted him once for six points.
The Bengals offense was also on a roll in the first half, but it was Jones whose sacks that helped the defense slow the Bengals and hold them to two scores, an important fact in the game that allowed the Packers offense to eventually catch up and win.
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Jones got his shot Sunday because of injury and made the most of his opportunity. The Packers used four safeties against the Bengals, but it will be difficult for the Packers not to find a place on the field for the rookie in future games. It’s tough to keep playmakers from making plays.
Josh Jones is the type of player who will help give this team character, the nasty attitude every good defensive unit needs. He brings it and should be allowed to continue to strut his stuff.
Stay tuned …