James Jones - Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: RGIII, Panthers, Cassel

September 6th, 2015 at 3:15pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Washington head coach Jay Gruden is confident that backup quarterback Robert Griffin III will receive medical clearance and be ready for Week 1, writes Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.

“He’s got to see the independent neurologist one more time early this week,” said Gruden.

Gruden recently stripped the starting job from Griffin, who suffered a concussion in the preseason, and awarded it to Kirk Cousins. If healthy, it’s no lock RGIII will even be Washington’s No. 2 QB. Gruden wouldn’t commit to it when asked, according to Smith. That role could go to Colt McCoy instead, which would leave RGIII as a third-stringer.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

Despite their shortage of viable wide receivers, the Panthers are not interested in free agent James Jones, according to Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer (Twitter link).
The Texans have contemplated adding another quarterback in the wake of third-stringer Tom Savage‘s season-ending shoulder injury. But they have no interest in free agent Matt Cassel, whom Buffalo cut on Saturday (Twitter link via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle).
Speaking of the Texans, one of their ex-players, wideout Damaris Johnson, will work out for the AFC South rival Titans, reports ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter). The three-year veteran played in all 16 games last season and totaled career bests in receptions (31), yards (350) and touchdowns (one).
The Titans will work out linebacker Diaheem Watkins on Tuesday, according to agent Jeff Jankovich (via Twitter). Watkins, an undrafted rookie out of UAB, was a victim of Philly’s roster cuts Saturday.
Rookie cornerback Justin Coleman, whom the Patriots signed Friday, also had interest from other teams, tweets Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. He worked out for the Seahawks on Wednesday, which came after Minnesota cut him a week ago.

Giants Cut James Jones, Ashlee Palmer

September 5th, 2015 at 9:51am CST by Luke Adams

After cutting longtime punter Steve Weatherford earlier this week, the Giants have decided to release a couple more notable veterans. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links), New York is parting ways with wide receiver James Jones and linebacker Ashlee Palmer.

Jones, who confirmed the move in a text message to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter links), added: “I’m good at this point. I don’t know who wants me. I’ll be playing somewhere though hopefully.” One potential destination for the veteran receiver could be Green Bay, where the Packers have seen Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb get injured this preseason. While Cobb is expected to be back for Week 1 or shortly thereafter, Nelson is done for the year.

As for Palmer, his stint with the Giants didn’t last long. The veteran linebacker, who started 15 games for the Lions over the last two seasons, just signed with New York on August 24.

The Giants also cut fullback Henry Hynoski earlier today.

Hakeem Nicks, James Jones Drawing Interest

August 24th, 2015 at 6:42pm CST by Zachary Links

According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link), Hakeem Nicks, James Jones, Deonte Thompson, and Vincent Brown are among the wide receivers drawing interest around the NFL as potential release candidates, in that order. He adds that the Panthers, Ravens, Packers are a few of the teams considering adding wideouts as the season draws near.

The Panthers, of course, are in the market for a reliable target after Kelvin Benjamin suffered a season-ending injury. The Ravens could also use a receiver with promising rookie Breshad Perriman currently sidelined. And the Packers are undoubtedly scouring the market for options now that Jordy Nelson is confirmed to be done for the 2015 season. While sources tell Cole that Nicks will generally get the most attention of this quartet, the Packers are more interested in Jones that the rest of the bunch, due in part to their familiarity with him.

Nicks, 27, first reached unrestricted free agency in March 2014, and signed a modest one-year contract with the Colts after spending the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Giants. While fellow 2009 first-round wideout Jeremy Maclin parlayed a one-year, prove-it deal in 2014 into a huge, long-term contract, Nicks was unable to do the same in Indianapolis. Currently, Nicks is on a one-year deal with the Titans that holds a modest guarantee and he could be days away from hitting the open market again.

Jones had 73 catches for 666 yards and six touchdowns last season with the Raiders in 2014. This offseason, the veteran hooked on with the Giants and it has been widely speculated that he could be released before the final rosters are set. His best individual output came in 2013, when he hauled in 64 passes for 784 yards and a career-best 14 TDs for the Packers.

FA Rumors: Packers, Wayne, Mathis, Deering

August 24th, 2015 at 10:40am CST by Luke Adams

The Packers are still waiting on the official results of Jordy Nelson‘s MRI, but if the star wideout has a torn ACL, as is feared, the team is expected to inquire on Reggie Wayne, reports Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Green Bay still has a good deal of wide receiver depth without Nelson, and the club typically doesn’t sign outside free agents very often, so it seems unlikely that Wayne would land with the Packers. It’s fair to wonder if Wayne’s camp is using Green Bay as a leverage play, as the veteran free agent attempts to negotiate a deal with the Patriots or perhaps another team.

As we wait to see where Wayne lands, let’s round up a few more notes on free agents….

Agent Drew Rosenhaus expects free agent guard Evan Mathis to have a new team by the end of the week, he said during an appearance on South Florida’s WSVN-7 (link via Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald). According to Rosenhaus, his client has received interest from the Seahawks and “other teams,” and Salguero suggests the Dolphins should be in the mix if Mathis’ asking price is coming down at all.
It’s a busy week for former Rutgers safety Jeremy Deering, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, who tweets that Deering tried out for the Eagles, is working out for the Colts today, and has an audition with the Jets later in the week.
Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin examines the Packers‘ wide receiver situation, speculating that ex-Packer James Jones could be an option for the team. For now though, Jones is a Giant, so he’d probably have to be cut for Green Bay to consider him. Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports made a similar point yesterday.

Extra Points: Giants, Nelson, Packers, Moss

August 23rd, 2015 at 9:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted notes from around the league as we wrap up the weekend:

Six-year veteran safety Corey Lynch will workout with the Giants on Monday, reports Mike Kaye of First Coast News (via Twitter). The 30-year-old entered the league in 2008 with the Bengals before a three-year stint with the Buccaneers.
If Jordy Nelson ends up missing the entire season, it’ll cost him $500K, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com (via Twitter), noting that the contract tactic is used often by the Packers and 49ers.
Yahoo’s Charles Robinson wonders if the Packers would consider James Jones if the receiver was cut by the Giants (Twitter link).
Randy Moss sounds like he’d like to get back in the NFL, and the former receiver said as much during the Vikings broadcast on Sunday evening. “I actually have not lost the itch,” Moss said (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com). “I’ve been working out with a few guys over the offseason. I have been retired for the last two years, but you never know, Curt. But it’s the love of the game that I still have inside of me.”

East Notes: Cowboys, Brady, Giants, McDaniel

August 5th, 2015 at 9:00pm CST by Zachary Links

In an interview on KESN-FM 103.3, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones left the door open for signing a free agent running back. “I do think we’re a popular place for a running back right now. There’s backs out there that I think still have some gas left in their tank. If we need to go get one, then we can get one,” Jones said (transcript via The Dallas Morning News). Here’s more from the East divisions..

After poring over the entire 457-page transcript of Tom Brady‘s appeal hearing, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports just wants to see a settlement take place. One could poke holes in the argument of either side, but none of which could be big enough to blow the whole case wide open. The NFL won’t allow Brady to avoid a suspension and the Patriots quarterback won’t admit guilt, but they can still meet in the middle for a reduced suspension.
Newly-acquired wide receiver James Jones signed with the Giants for the veteran minimum, according to a person with knowledge of the contract who spoke with Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger. Jones had 73 catches for 666 yards and six touchdowns last season with the Raiders in 2014.
There hasn’t been much talk about the Cowboys making a play for Tony McDaniel, but the team could take a hard look at him because he played in a defense that is similar to Dallas’, Rainer Sabin of The Dallas Morning News writes. McDaniel was released by the Seahawks earlier this week due to financial constraints.

Giants Sign James Jones

July 31st, 2015 at 7:28pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Giants have officially signed free agent wide receiver James Jones, Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports (Twitter link). Details of the contract have not yet been disclosed, though Jones told Fallon Smith of CSNBayArea.com on Thursday that he’d be getting a one-year deal (via Twitter).

Jones, who visited the Giants on Thursday, set a career high with 73 receptions with the Raiders last season before they released him in May. Prior to signing a three-year, $10MM deal with Oakland in 2014, he spent 2007-13 with the Packers and caught 310 passes and 37 touchdowns. His best individual output came in 2013, when he hauled in 64 passes for 784 yards and a career-best 14 TDs.

Besides the Giants, the Seahawks and Chiefs previously expressed interest in Jones after the Raiders cut him.

Giants To Sign James Jones

July 30th, 2015 at 5:35pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants will sign James Jones to a one-year deal, the wide receiver tells Fallon Smith of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter). Jones will head east and arrive in the New York area tomorrow.

Jones probably won’t ever approach his high-water mark season of 2012, when he led the league with 14 touchdown receptions while catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. But, he’s still only 31 years old, and has remained remarkably durable, missing just eight of a possible 128 career games. He has also proven to be consistent, averaging 48 receptions for roughly 620 yards and five scores each year.

After spending seven seasons in Green Bay, Jones established a new career high in 2014 with 73 receptions in Oakland, easily the most catches for any player currently available. Given the conservative nature of the Raiders’ offense though, Jones averaged just 9.1 yards per catch, significantly below his career mark, for a total of only 666 yards.

The Seahawks and Chiefs also reportedly made inquiries on Jones since he was released by the Raiders on May 4th, but it’s the Giants that have wound up with him.

Giants Hosting James Jones

July 30th, 2015 at 4:32pm CST by Zachary Links

Veteran wide receiver James Jones is visiting the Giants, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. The hope for both sides is that the powwow will turn into a signing, he adds.

Jones probably won’t ever approach his high-water mark season of 2012, when he led the league with 14 touchdown receptions while catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. But, he’s still only 31 years old, and has remained remarkably durable, missing just eight of a possible 128 career games. He has also proven to be consistent, averaging 48 receptions for roughly 620 yards and five scores each year.

After spending seven seasons in Green Bay, Jones established a new career high in 2014 with 73 receptions in Oakland, easily the most catches for any player currently available. Given the conservative nature of the Raiders’ offense though, Jones averaged just 9.1 yards per catch, significantly below his career mark, for a total of only 666 yards.

The Seahawks, Giants, and Chiefs have also reportedly inquiries on Jones since he was released by the Raiders on May 4th.

Community Tailgate: Best FA Besides Evan Mathis?

June 22nd, 2015 at 4:43pm CST by Zachary Links

We’re still a few months away from the start of battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. This month, we launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Today, we’re asking PFR readers to weigh in on the top remaining free agents. Excluding talented players with legal troubles like linebacker Brandon Spikes and defensive end Ray McDonald, former Eagles guard Evan Mathis is universally regarded as the best player without a deal at this time. Beyond Mathis, however, there’s hardly a clear cut silver medalist.

Over the weekend, PFR’s Dallas Robinson put together his list of the best available remaining free agents. After Mathis, he ranked tackle Jake Long No. 2, citing the former No. 1 overall pick’s talent level while also acknowledging his frustrating injury history. Tight end Jermaine Gresham, who underwent back surgery in March to repair a herniated disc, comes in at No. 3 thanks to his pass-catching ability and history of solid blocking. One-time fantasy darling James Jones is ranked fourth even though he has yet to put up the kind of numbers that he did with the Packers in 2012. Defensive end Dwight Freeney, 35, has remained productive despite his age and lack of sack totals, and was ranked No. 5. Safety Dawan Landry, guard Rob Sims, defensive lineman Red Bryant, center Chris Myers, and offensive lineman Anthony Collins rounded out the top ten. Honorable mention went to notables such as defensive end Osi Umenyiora, running back Pierre Thomas, safety Bernard Pollard, running back Ahmad Bradshaw, and quarterback Michael Vick.

Long could definitely pay dividends for a team willing to roll the dice on a low-cost deal and one could hardly be slammed for considering him the most intriguing free agent after Mathis. After all, in 2013, Long graded out as the seventh-best tackle in the league with a strong 22.5 overall score, based on Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). However, he has torn his ACL in each of the past two seasons and in 2014, Pro Football Focus ranked him as just the No. 36 tackle out of 84 qualified players. Do you consider someone like Gresham, who was a focal point of the Bengals’ offense for multiple seasons, to be a better buy? Does that mantle belong to Freeney, who graded out as one of the best at his position in terms of pass-rush productivity? Or, would you cast your vote for someone else?

In the comment section below, let us know who you think is the second-best free agent on the board and why.