Cubs News: Jones Jr. on kickoff rules change, Tory Taylor, Williams' playmaking ability |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - Wide receiver Velus Jones Jr.'s first two seasons have been underwhelming as he has caught only 11 passes.
He has spent more time on special teams, with 38 kick returns for an average of 27.4 yards per return. The kickoff rule change could finally allow him to maximize his speed and agility. “I’m looking forward to that. I’m definitely getting (our) offense (in) good field position and possibly getting a lot of kickoff returns for touchdowns … You don’t have to depend on blocks as much anymore. It’s really everybody get a (hand) on your man and you just (have) a feel for it, whatever hole (opens) up, you hit it full speed,” Jones Jr said. “It definitely changed the game, really excited, definitely (adds) value to my game. I got speed, physical, got size, and so, it’s tough already to bring me down. But, giving me a running head start, I (saw the) XFL before, watch some XFL film. So, really curious how teams are going to go about it and stuff like that and I know they want excitement back into the game because (they could) eliminate kickoff returns just by kicking (it) in (the) back of the end zone and so, I feel like bringing that excitement back to the game and that’s what everybody (wants) to see. So, pretty excited.” Special teams are also changing in Chicago's punting game. While punter Trenton Gill was solid in his first two seasons, the Bears chose to spend their fourth-round pick on punter Tory Taylor out of Iowa. Taylor was a unanimous All-American last season and the recipient of the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s best punter. “He has a powerful leg, real powerful (unlike) any other I’ve ever seen. He has a real powerful leg and so, a lot of hang time on the ball. But, I know that’s going to help the gunners as well to get downfield and cover,” Jones Jr said. “So, that’s going to be tremendous to our special teams game. It’s definitely going to be able to switch field. Football is all about field position and that’s what special teams brings.” Despite his lack of work as a wide receiver, Jones Jr would ultimately like to play more in that role. That is part of what he likes about new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s scheme — it allows everyone to get the ball and could allow him to be a hybrid player, perhaps even receiving handoffs. “It allows you to play, get the ball in the players’ hands in many different ways … Anybody can have a breakout game in this offense and so, that’s really exciting. I feel like everybody (focuses) on their assignments and stuff and play for the man next to him,” Jones Jr said. “I could be a hybrid … I could do many things and that’s something I did my senior year of high school. If you go back and watch, I took some handoffs out the backfield because a lot of teams tried to cloud my side a lot, so Coach just got the ball in my hands any type of way, and I got the size. I got the physicality. So, whatever they need me to do, I’m going to do.” Although he plays more with the second-team offense, Jones Jr. has gotten the opportunity to watch rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. From what he has seen of Williams in training camp, he is impressed with his playmaking ability and is excited about his career with the Bears. “Caleb is a fast learner. He’s a very intelligent kid and especially his (throws) on the run, really impressive and he shows that a lot, how (he) can get the ball downfield,” Jones Jr said. “His vision, the way he can see the field and (also) when he was rolling out to his left and had to spin back tight to throw it to (receiver) Keenan (Allen) on the sideline catch, really impressive and so, I’m excited to see his career with the Chicago Bears in this season, ready to go to war with him. He’s a special kid and I feel like he’s going to prove that to himself first and then prove it to everybody else.”
