Bills Get Great Roster Value From Donald Jones

by Brian Galliford on Jun 26, 2011 1:00 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills Opinion

By the end of his rookie season as an undrafted free agent out of Youngstown State, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Donald Jones was an integral part of the team's offensive attack. Jones saw his playing time increase dramatically in Week 10, when he began filling in as a slot receiver for the injured Roscoe Parrish. Jones finished the season with 18 catches for 213 yards and a touchdown.

Parrish, however, is healthy once again - as is Lee Evans, whose injury also helped Jones' playing time increase. Right now, at best, Jones projects as the team's fifth receiver - and he'll have competition for that spot from the likes of Marcus Easley, Naaman Roosevelt and others. Still, if I were a betting man, I'd bet on Jones being a lock for the final roster heading into the 2011 season.

Why? It has more to do than with the fact that he's already proven himself a capable reserve: Jones is also one of the team's very best special teams players. He plays a very physical brand of football, and brings that temperament with him when covering kicks and punts. Jones is one of a prominent core of specialists that this team employs, and it's a strong bet that Chan Gailey and Bruce DeHaven keep him around specifically for that reason. Jones is exactly what you want in a reserve player: a good specialist that can produce when called upon.

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So do you think we carry six receivers? Last year final cuts left us with 5 (I think).

by greysquirrel on Jun 26, 2011 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

100% yes. It’s where the team is deepest. Keep your best players.

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by Brian Galliford on Jun 26, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Most likely Seven WR's

Chris Brown on his blog has said the team is likely to have 7 WR’s on the roster this year. That only makes sense given the fact that Chan Gailey likes to run spread formations with four wideouts. Allowing for the usual number of injuries that occur during the course of a season, starting out with 7 is closer to a necessity than a luxury. Brown figues that the Bills will carry one less TE than normal, given the fact that none of the TE’s currently on the squad are as dependable catching the ball as the WR’s, and frankly none of them are especially good in-line blockers either, so in effect the 7th WR would be occupying one of the TE slots.

by Macktruck on Jun 26, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know that I’d call it “likely,” but it’s certainly possible. As I say: it’s easily their deepest position. And a few of their depth guys, Easley included, can play special teams.

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by Brian Galliford on Jun 26, 2011 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions

D Jones

I like this kid and I was glad to see him make the team last year. I know he was a productive, strong player at Youngstown State and from what I heard was well liked by his teammates. At 214lbs, he’s probably one of the more physical wide outs we have on the team.

by BuckeyeBillsFan on Jun 26, 2011 1:13 PM EDT reply actions

Good job Buddy for signing him!
Good job Chan for coaching him up!

"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jun 26, 2011 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, deep and still have more potential...

I’m really chomping at the bit for the season to start to see some further development from this group of receivers and how Gailey is going to run his offense with so many weapons available.

"A deaf person can hear better than a ignorant person."

by blknites on Jun 26, 2011 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

7 wrs

It doesnt happen a lot but I hope it does this season….id be ok with two tight ends and 7 wrs. I think all 7 of them can contribute to this roster more than a 3rd string tight end

by bflobills3 on Jun 26, 2011 3:04 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Well if this team is going to throw the ball as much as it did last year it only makes sense to keep 7 WR....

Bring back the Shoot in Run and Shoot!

The score dictated they pass

by norcaliangelsfan on Jun 26, 2011 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

Still though – the Bills were ranked 19th in pass attempts last year with 519 – below the league average of 539.7. They were ranked 25th in rush attempts with 401 well below the league average of 435 attempts.

So they effectively ran about 7.5 more pass plays last year than run plays – not that bad is it?

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2010/

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by J2 on Jun 26, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Jones's TD vs Cincinnati

was a thing of beauty. He had some nice blocking, and read it perfectly.

Stay Bills!

by Undee on Jun 26, 2011 6:10 PM EDT reply actions

Easley

So the consensus is that there’s little-to-no chance that Marcus Easley will be cut? I still think he’s got the potential to be a special player.

by Morningw00d on Jun 26, 2011 7:03 PM EDT reply actions

0% chance of him being cut.

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by Brian Galliford on Jun 26, 2011 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Jasper

I think it would be fun to see him at tight end from time to time even if he can’t catch.

Go big or go home.

by jackkemp15 on Jun 26, 2011 7:19 PM EDT reply actions

it would be fun. that does not mean it would be effective. this fan base got way too caught up in jasper. his chances at cracked the roster are very very slim

by boomsauce on Jun 26, 2011 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Normally I’d say this too, but I don’t see why he wouldn’t have a fighter’s chance at taking Kellen Heard’s roster spot. Sure, he may not have the experience that Heard has, but his potential might be enough to take his spot.

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by NordicBillsfan on Jun 26, 2011 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions

i agree you get drafted to be on the roster the last few years they did cut the 7th rounders

but IMO i think that calloway didnt work at it or was just a complete goober as for brown there was no way they were gonna keep 4 qbs on the roster i still believe jasper is a lock

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by Gpluehri on Jun 26, 2011 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Wasn’t Heard on the Practice Squad?

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by WhyBillsWhy on Jun 27, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

not sure i agree hes a lock

yes, in all likelihood the Bills keep 6 WRs (and id think theres a small chance they roll with 7). and yes, i do like his chances. however his role as a specialist is replaceable, as is his role as a depth receiver.
i completely believe its his roster spot to lose (the 6th WR that is..), and odds are he makes the team. but it wouldnt totally shock me to see naaman, huggins, or even some new blood manage to squeeze jones out.

by boomsauce on Jun 26, 2011 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

Jones is in a tough spot. He does have special teams going for him that is a plus.

Also, he as Nelson, demonstrated the ability to perfect his routes. He will need to expand on this as well as learn as much of the offense as possible. Remember Gailey likes these guys to learn multiple positions at WR. The trump card in all of this is Marcus Easley. Marcus should make the roster, but it is not a given. Still somewhat like Danny Batten he has shown the remarkable ability to pick things up rather quickly. I would expect the same from Marcus Easley this camp as last one, and if he can stay healthy he could make an impression by mid season. Still the delimma, Donald Jones. I believe Mack mentioned above, that depending on what Chan wants to accomplish at the Tight End position may have a lot to due with deciding how many WR’s are kept on the active Roster.

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by VanScottM on Jun 26, 2011 8:51 PM EDT reply actions

I do love his physical play

I am still holding out hope for some extra roster spots. 56??

Please base your arguments in provable facts instead of pulling stuff out of your rear. -CanadianBillsFan- This is why talk is cheap because the supply always exceeds the demand.

by jbbillfan on Jun 27, 2011 12:50 AM EDT reply actions