Why isn't anyone talking about Nate Jones?

by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 24, 2009 2:35 PM EST

I have been watching this guy since Will Allen got injured and am wondering where he has been hiding? I am thoroughly impressed with the guy, and yet, with all of the focus on our rookie corners, I have not seen ANY mention of him in the media or around here.

Just to put things in perspective, he is the nickle CB. That means he gets to play about a third of the defensive snaps. But he is 4th on the team in tackles - YES FOURTH!, behind only Bell, Wilson, and Ayodel. And he is tied with Davis and Will Allen for most INTs. Here is how the top D stats break down so far:

Individual Defense
	Total	Tackles	Assists	Sacks	Fum Rec
Yeremiah Bell	70	56.0	14	1.5	0
Gibril Wilson	64	49.0	15	1	0
Akin Ayodele	43	33.0	10	0	2
Nate Jones	41	32.0	9	0	0
Channing Crowder	36	31.0	5	1	0
Randy Starks	33	26.0	7	5.5	1
Vontae Davis	31	28.0	3	0	0
Sean Smith	30	25.0	5	0	0

Interceptions
Player	No	Yards	Avg	Long	TD
Vontae Davis	2	38	19	23	1
Nate Jones	2	0	0	0	0
Will Allen	2	27	13	21	0

Oh, and that little thing called "Passes Defensed"? Jones is tied with V. Davis for 2nd on the team with 7. Sean Smith is first with 9 for the season.

So with Davis and Smith started out each playing about 50% of the Defensive snaps while they split playing time. And since Will Allen went out, Davis and Smith are starters, playing all the Defensive snaps. So how is it that no one is impressed with a guy that plays less and produces the same or better? And how much worse would our secondary be playing with him right now?

Am I the only one wondering where this guy came from, and glad the Triad found him?

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Hahah wow Lefty this is incredible.

I wrote this comment last night: “wait a second, If you asked me Nate Jones is having a better season than Smith”. Haha so Im with you, he is a beast.

by MauMontaV5 on Nov 24, 2009 2:41 PM EST reply actions

JONES is doing awesome as a nickel corner idk about fulltime starter

Who DAT: WILDCAT
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Chillin in the Henne ERA!!!!
WAKE+brady= Roughing the Passer

by DPL3 Rollin on Nov 24, 2009 2:59 PM EST reply actions

exactly

he’s become a good nickel corner….but he’s not a starter

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by Matty I on Nov 24, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

um, who was talking about making him a starter?

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 24, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

Nate Jones is a very sure tackler

and he blitzes like a maniac. The guy is having a hell of a year as the nickel corner, and I think he’s helping out our safeties immensely by covering slot guys and the like, because we’ve seen this year that Bell and Wilson are both subpar cover guys. I would definitely keep him around as the nickel, and with Smith/Davis as our starting tandem, we look pretty damn good at the CB position

Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
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by Little Nicky 21 on Nov 24, 2009 3:01 PM EST reply actions

You are entirely right

The guy keeps on turning up in the game commentary and the key highlights but there isn’t much hype around him.
But then again it probably works for him, flying under the radar gives him the space to get better without the pressure from the media/fans.

Lets hope he carrys on and gets better.

by DickDevil on Nov 24, 2009 3:02 PM EST reply actions

I have been a big fan of Jones

ever since he showed his CB blitz prowess in ’08. It was awesome to see him come down with the pick live in Charlotte 8)

Driver of the Make David Lee OC Bandwagon
Repentant Former Driver of the Trade-Ronnie-Brown Bandwagon.

by joel311 on Nov 24, 2009 3:05 PM EST reply actions

yeah he was a stud coming off the corner last year

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by Little Nicky 21 on Nov 24, 2009 3:13 PM EST up reply actions

He comes from Rutgerts Baby! but...

He is not getting the spot light because hes a nickle corner, granted NB should be and could be a starting position it is very different then an outside corner position. Very different positions and although he is doing very well he gets no attention because many people think and I agree he would not do that great on the outside.

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by k2oconnor on Nov 24, 2009 3:15 PM EST reply actions

Jones is having a heck of a year.

I hope Smith gets an Int this weekend.

There is nothing so bitter that a patient mind cannot find some solace for it

by Nayru'sSolace on Nov 24, 2009 3:28 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, no one seems to talk about him yet we have a lot to thank him for. He has broke up crucial passes and has kept us in games

great write up

Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Nov 24, 2009 3:31 PM EST reply actions

Last nite

I picked him as my "Dolphin " in this week’s version of the scoring pick ’em contest on this site (the 1st person to do so).

You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four.
-Dan Birdwell

by snook36 on Nov 24, 2009 4:20 PM EST reply actions

Heh, no you aren't the only one who noticed...

but as you might imagine, we’ve had more than a few deficiencies in the secondary. Apparently they tend to be spelled ‘W-I-L-S-O-N’ and as you know, that’s rather caught our attention given the many missed tackles, dropped interceptions, and poor angles taken by the latter.

That said, I think it is fabulous we have this kid on board. Although I’m still even more impressed with Davis & Smith. I mean for one of these kids to step in and play OK, in 2009 with it being a pass pass pass league, would have been impressive. But for both to play and play well, is pretty amazing.

by Natalya on Nov 24, 2009 7:25 PM EST reply actions

yep.. not taking anything away from Smith and Davis

i just thought we were going to be thin at CB anyway, and after losing W. Allen, i figured nickle would be our Achilles heel. But Jones has really filled the gap nicely.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Nov 25, 2009 12:59 AM EST up reply actions

ive been

very impressed with his play. He is a good nickle corner & does a great job. How long is he signed for? Isnt he young aswell?

thanks

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by E_Dove on Nov 24, 2009 7:43 PM EST reply actions

I was wondering the same thing...

I agree that he is a good nickelback but i wouldn’t put him in the starter role unless someone goes down…

It was really cool to see him blitzing last year cause he was destroying QB’s (especially for being a small guy)

by scbrandon on Nov 24, 2009 8:28 PM EST up reply actions

I feel alot more comfortable with Nate Jones in at nickel then Jason Allen

although I feel Allen does have a purpose. The guy is awesome in ST and actually played decent in the NE game

Laces out!

-2008 AFC East Champions-
Suck it Pats, Bills and most of all... the god damn jets.

Sean Smith/Vontae Davis= Pat Surtain/Sam Madison

by BSerious72 on Nov 24, 2009 9:01 PM EST reply actions

While I do think Jones is great at playing the nickel...

I think that’s as much as the FO trusts him. Cause if one of the starters goes down, it’s Jason Allen they call on to take their place.

by luvs2drnk on Nov 24, 2009 11:03 PM EST reply actions

Love what Nathan is doing

but at that nickel spot who is he really covering. Maybe he just has a great skillset for that position.

Stats dont ever tell the whole story. Playing in that nickel(inside) he prolly has a better opertunity in run support and check down route plays. Im not saying he’s not great but dont let stats fool you.

Just like a WR if Welker isnt lined up in the slot but on the outside, how great is he?

Ted Ginn supporter

by okokokaay on Nov 25, 2009 4:15 PM EST reply actions