Jacoby Jones Gives Ravens The Big Dance
Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) celebrates with teammates after returning a kick for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
I’ll admit it. When watching a Baltimore Ravens game, there is probably no other player I enjoy seeing come into the game more than Jacoby Jones. When he is on the field, something big might just happen!
So I am pleased, as are Ravens fans everywhere that Jacoby Jones will be back with the team for the next four years. A deal has been reached for $14 million over four years, with a guarantee of $4.5 million.
Forget March Madness and the Big Dance, it is the dance of Jacoby Jones that Ravens fans are celebrating with this news. Yes, Jones is not only known for big plays, but for his signature TD dances, and of course his appearance on Dancing with the Stars.
It is the minority of Ravens victories that are free of significant impact from Jacoby Jones. Of course this is true of the AFC playoffs win over Denver in the 2012 season, as well as the 56-yard TD catch in the Super Bowl and the second half 108-yard kickoff return.
Beyond those big stage highlights, just think of this past season. There was the critical “Mike Tomlin” return, followed the next week by the vital snow-fest 77-yard TD punt return. There was also the 66-yard touchdown catch against the Jets and 80 yards on six catches against the Lions … not to mention also that huge third-down play in the drive that won the game.
The significant role that special teams play in most every game seems to be undervalued by NFL franchises in my opinion. A guy like Jacoby Jones is a huge weapon who can re-write a game script in about 15 seconds of playing time. And that will likely be his role as a receiver – not as the first or second guy, but rather the occasional wide-out who gets into three or four plays per quarter and introduces an entirely different look and threat.
One has to believe that the acquisition of new Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak had something to do with this result. Jacoby Jones is very close to him from their time together in the past.
Along with Dennis Pitta, Eugene Monroe, and now Jacoby Jones, the Ravens are off to a good start with free agent signings. Yes, they lost Arthur Jones, and now also Corey Graham today to the Bills, but there are going to be some more good moves ahead. Daryl Smith would add to the good feeling, as would getting a top-drawer wide receiver and safety in one fashion or another. Lots more work needs to be done, but so far, so good.