Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
The 2012 NFL Draft marked the beginning of a new era. For the first time in his tenure with the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick selected a pass rusher in the first round. Chandler Jones was the player to receive that distinction. At first, Jones seemed to be a bit of a reach as a first-round prospect. Looking at him now, however, brings a much different opinion to the table. This guy has a chance to be special.
Jones was mostly a physical specimen (6-foot-5, 260 pounds) coming out of Syracuse University. His size and length made him very projectable to the NFL; many scouts thought that coaches could get the most out of a player with Jones’ potential. They had to believe that, because his college production was very underwhelming (10.5 sacks in three seasons). And that’s coming from Syracuse, a school that doesn’t have a particularly strong football program. Most fans thought that Jones’ combination of production and potential translated to a second-round pick.
That’s why fans are fans and coaches are coaches. Belichick not only drafted Jones in the first round, but jumped up to the No. 21 pick to do so. He saw a lot of potential in Jones, thinking that maybe he could mold the freak of nature into the next Willie McGinest. The one difference was that McGinest played outside linebacker when Belichick ran a 3-4 defense, whereas Jones would be the cornerstone of Belichick’s new 4-3 look.
Jones started off very fast (six sacks in his first 10 games), but was slowed down by an ankle injury after that (no sacks in his last eight games, including the playoffs). The potential he showed was enough, however, as Jones looked like the next impact pass rusher in the NFL. He even contributed in run defense, making plenty of stops on runs that went his way. So, not only did Belichick get a pure pass rusher in Jones, but he got a complete player as well.
This season should be even better for Jones. If he stays healthy, he should rack up double-digit sacks, and become known as one of the better all-around pass rushers in the league.
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Philip Alexander is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @steely0906, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
Read more at http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2013/09/03/matthew-mulligan-offers-a-mulligan-for-new-england-patriots/?cOcEd0UkjLL1yfs6.99.
