Expectations For James Jones

The Giants kicked off Training Camp by adding a well-known receiver. James Jones, the ex-Packer and Raider who scored 14 touchdowns in 2012, added depth to an already seemingly deep Giants’ receiving corps. It gives Eli another weapon, and the offense some security should Victor Cruz have a setback.

So, what to make of this signing…

I think Giants fans are generally excited. And I get that. I was excited too when I read it. Jones, although coming off a poor stint in Oakland, had his best years when playing with Ben McAdoo in Green Bay, and gives the Giants an experienced receiver with some red zone chops. It’s a little surprising a wide-receiver needy team didn’t pick up the 31-year-old a bit sooner.

I generally consider myself an optimistic Giants fan. With this signing, I’m optimistic, but cautiously optimistic. Well, very cautiously optimistic, as it’s hard to say what to expect from Jones.

He struggled in Oakland last year, even though his 73 catches might not show it. Yes, their offense stunk, again, but averaging 9.1 yards per catch as a 30-year-old receiver (now 31) isn’t exactly promising. And his career-high in receiving yards in 817 in 2014. Sure, not awful, especially for a guy who has been a third or fourth option for most of his career.

But remember: he was playing with Aaron Rodgers. And Aaron Rodgers is, well, you know, Aaron Rodgers–he makes everyone better. So I’m wondering what Jones will bring the Giants…

Dec 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver James Jones (89) reacts after catching a touchdown pass against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

My expectation: he makes the team, and serves as the team’s fourth receiver, even pushing Randle for number three duties as they’re a similar type of receiver and Randle hasn’t proven he can play at a consistent level yet. If Jones really stinks it up in camp, he’ll get cut, and while it’s possible, I’d say it’s unlikely. Realistically, 40-50 catches, 600 yards, and 5 touchdowns is a reasonable expectation for Jones, considering the Giants have three receivers along with Larry Donnell, Shane Vereen, and Rashad Jennings who they could also target in the passing game.

In my mind, signing James Jones, and particularly the timing of the signing, seems a little strange, and it’s left me with more questions than answers. He doesn’t bring much to the table on special teams, so it seems like they’re going to give him a try at receiver. But I thought they were set at receiver? Victor Cruz avoided PUP, Rueben Randle (seems to have) had a good offseason, and they guaranteed a decent load of money to Dwayne Harris. And Odell Beckham Jr. is, well, Odell Beckham Jr.

So what’s the deal? Did Cruz’s knee not check out? Is Randle still struggling to gain chemistry with Eli? Is Beckham’s hammy acting up? And did they fork over more than seven million guaranteed to a strict return man?

Maybe what Jones is showing us is that the Giants aren’t as deep at receiver as it may seem. Cruz is coming back from a devastating injury, Randle can’t seem to find his touch with Eli, and Beckham did only play in 12 games last year–so who’s to say he may not suffer an injury again this year? We don’t know that. And behind those three, there’s a real drop off in talent.

I’m not sure what Jones brings to the table–mainly because I don’t know what he has left in the tank–but we are talking about an experienced receiver here, who’s coming to a team that has a lot of talent but also a lot of question marks at the wideout position. So if nothing else, Jones gives them some more security. I say Giants fans are getting a receiver that will produce for them during the regular season here, and he’s coming at a cheap price at the beginning of Training Camp.

If nothing else, it’s worth a try for the Giants to at least give him a shot. He’s got that–he now just has to prove he can still play.

Next: Jason Pierre-Paul and the wrong decisions

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