Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2017 11:32:52 GMT -6
The Vikings managed to poach a pass rusher from our bitter rivals the Green Bay Packers this offseason in Datone Jones. He had an up and down 4 year career with the Packers and a lot of that had to do with circumstances out of his control. They haven’t really known what to do with him throughout his career as they’ve moved him from an interior DL a the beginning of his career to an Edge Rusher last year. It’s really messed with his development because his weight has fluctuated from mid 285lbs to 269lbs and he’s never really had a consistent role in a complicated Dom Capers defense. Despite this every year he has consistently improved his pass rush production per snap and although he hasn’t lived up to his lofty draft status as a first round pick, he is still a useful situational player.
How he stacks up
RUN GAME:
Datone Jones has spent most of his career in a situational pass rushing role but when given run down snaps as an Edge player he has not disappointed. He has heavy hands and is consistently able to locate and make a play on the ball carrier even he has poor hand placement. He’s a dependable edge setter but as an interior player he lacks the weight and strength to take on double teams and will be brought to his knees frequently. He reads his keys well when the tackle blocks down and shows solid technique taking on pullers.
On the Vikings I don’t envision him getting many run down reps, but if a starter goes down or needs a rest, he will be able to perform up to the run stopping standard Zimmer has set for his DEs.
PASS GAME:
Datone Jones was drafted in the 1st round off of his pass rushing potential and although he’s failed to live up to those lofty standards he’s not a poor pass rusher by any means. He’s not the type of player to bend the edge per say but he has a solid bull rush which allows him to collapse the pocket and his hands are effective enough for him to be able to get consistent pressure. If he were able to step up his hand usage and better clear the hands of the blocker off him he could really take a leap as a pass rusher. He fits the profile of a Zimmer DE, meaning he’s tall and extremely athletic. This allows him to be effective as a QB spy and he was adept at dropping into coverage on zone blitzes.
Datone Jones is a Zimmer DE through and through and could prove to be the long term replacement for Robison as the 3rd DE. He can line up on the interior in our 3rd down packages and has all the versatility to rush the passer, spy the QB, drop into coverage and run a variety of stunts.
5 PLAYS THAT SHOW HIS STRENGTHS
The bullrush is his go to move and he often constricts pockets with it
In Zimmers defense the DE needs to be able to play the bootleg(something Robison struggled with at times) here Jones handles it well
Jones has great athleticism for DL and this helps him when he drops into coverage, here he runs down the seam with the receiver forcing an overthrow and pick
In the run game he is always able to locate the ball carrier, here he stacks and sheds the blocker then makes the stop on 4th down
Pass rushers never win every rep which is why it's key to be able to get your hands in the passing lane, here Jones is able to get a deflection which almost leads to a turnover
5 PLAYS THAT SHOW HIS WEAKNESSES
There's speculation that he could become our 3 tech but he's too weak to hold up vs double teams on the interior
He has a bad habit of misstepping out of his 2 point stance
Jones is washed out wide when rushing from the interior too often, not only does this mean he doesn't get him but it also opens up passing lanes and running lanes for the QB to step up or scramble
Once you're in this position vs a blocker you should beat him 10/10 but instead Jones is washed out
His hand usage holds him back from converting more pressures into hits and sacks, here if he clears the blockers hands quicker he could have had a sack
Datone Jones was misused on the Packers and hopefully he can find a definitive role on the defense in 2017. The Vikings are the best team in the league at developing DEs so if he’s going to develop into a starter caliber player it’ll be here. Andre Patterson is one of the better DL coaches and with his help Datone Jones could possibly become a starter quality player. Even if he doesn’t reach that ceiling we should be getting a player that proves to be a possible long term chess piece.
How he stacks up
RUN GAME:
Datone Jones has spent most of his career in a situational pass rushing role but when given run down snaps as an Edge player he has not disappointed. He has heavy hands and is consistently able to locate and make a play on the ball carrier even he has poor hand placement. He’s a dependable edge setter but as an interior player he lacks the weight and strength to take on double teams and will be brought to his knees frequently. He reads his keys well when the tackle blocks down and shows solid technique taking on pullers.
On the Vikings I don’t envision him getting many run down reps, but if a starter goes down or needs a rest, he will be able to perform up to the run stopping standard Zimmer has set for his DEs.
PASS GAME:
Datone Jones was drafted in the 1st round off of his pass rushing potential and although he’s failed to live up to those lofty standards he’s not a poor pass rusher by any means. He’s not the type of player to bend the edge per say but he has a solid bull rush which allows him to collapse the pocket and his hands are effective enough for him to be able to get consistent pressure. If he were able to step up his hand usage and better clear the hands of the blocker off him he could really take a leap as a pass rusher. He fits the profile of a Zimmer DE, meaning he’s tall and extremely athletic. This allows him to be effective as a QB spy and he was adept at dropping into coverage on zone blitzes.
Datone Jones is a Zimmer DE through and through and could prove to be the long term replacement for Robison as the 3rd DE. He can line up on the interior in our 3rd down packages and has all the versatility to rush the passer, spy the QB, drop into coverage and run a variety of stunts.
5 PLAYS THAT SHOW HIS STRENGTHS
The bullrush is his go to move and he often constricts pockets with it
In Zimmers defense the DE needs to be able to play the bootleg(something Robison struggled with at times) here Jones handles it well
Jones has great athleticism for DL and this helps him when he drops into coverage, here he runs down the seam with the receiver forcing an overthrow and pick
In the run game he is always able to locate the ball carrier, here he stacks and sheds the blocker then makes the stop on 4th down
Pass rushers never win every rep which is why it's key to be able to get your hands in the passing lane, here Jones is able to get a deflection which almost leads to a turnover
5 PLAYS THAT SHOW HIS WEAKNESSES
There's speculation that he could become our 3 tech but he's too weak to hold up vs double teams on the interior
He has a bad habit of misstepping out of his 2 point stance
Jones is washed out wide when rushing from the interior too often, not only does this mean he doesn't get him but it also opens up passing lanes and running lanes for the QB to step up or scramble
Once you're in this position vs a blocker you should beat him 10/10 but instead Jones is washed out
His hand usage holds him back from converting more pressures into hits and sacks, here if he clears the blockers hands quicker he could have had a sack
Datone Jones was misused on the Packers and hopefully he can find a definitive role on the defense in 2017. The Vikings are the best team in the league at developing DEs so if he’s going to develop into a starter caliber player it’ll be here. Andre Patterson is one of the better DL coaches and with his help Datone Jones could possibly become a starter quality player. Even if he doesn’t reach that ceiling we should be getting a player that proves to be a possible long term chess piece.
... and neither is this Chris guy.