One inescapable truth about the NFL is that you only get so many opportunities. Teams have a finite amount of patience when it comes to a player. You can work so hard and say all the right things. However, there comes a point where you must produce on the field. One could argue Velus Jones has gotten more opportunities than he deserves For all his athletic prowess, his mistakes seem to far outweigh his big plays. The Chicago Bears were willing to give him another chance after a strong preseason, helped by a transition to running back.
Lots of people were against the idea. Regardless of position, Jones’ unreliability was well-documented. It wasn’t worth the risk to them. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus stayed the course, believing he was too explosive to let go. Sure enough, in the first game of the season, Jones fumbled a kickoff return that led to three points for Tennessee. Needless to say, the Bears were not happy. Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower made that plain during his presser on Thursday.
“In regards to what happened in the game it’s unacceptable. As a human, I hurt for the kid. I do. But as a coach we have to evaluate all our options. And he knows in the return game, the No. 1 thing is to take care of the football.”
Jones was benched after the blunder, with veteran DeAndre Carter stepping in on return duties. He promptly took one back for 67 yards, helping fuel the Bears’ eventual comeback. Hightower didn’t mince words. That is a change he doesn’t mind making permanent.
“I’m totally comfortable with DeAndre doing such. That’s why he did it to finish the game.”
Velus Jones has nobody to blame but himself.
The Bears have done everything in their power to get him going since they took him in the 3rd round. They put him on return duties, crafted a package for him as a wide receiver, and even tried getting him the ball in the backfield. Across 27 games, he has 300 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. While he’s been solid in the return game, it hasn’t been enough to overcome four fumbles and two dropped passes. Hightower is correct. Protecting the football is more important than anything. If Velus Jones can’t learn how to do that, the Bears must find somebody who will. It’s unfortunate. Nobody can deny the kid has loads of talent. Sadly, it takes more than that to survive in this league.
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I agree with you Mbearest. Speed kills! Yes he was over drafted, we can all agree on that. He’s here now and costed a 3rd round pick. At the moment, there’s no need to get rid of him this season. He may turn the light switch on and become a beast out the back field, gadget plays, or special teams gunner.
Just Chicago’s luck, he’ll get cut and become a nightmare match up against us for whoever signs him.
Anyone who’s ever played the game at a truly competitive level knows that no one is “motivated” by a GM’s “choosing to keep [an undeserving] guy and give him several chances” to blow another game — certainly not an NFL game.
Like most fans I was shocked by Velus Jones Jr’s fumble on the kickoff. This has happened too many times to overlook his inability to secure the football. He has fumbled too many times!
Simple answer, he’s here because he’s not costing them much and speed kills, you can’t teach it and he runs a 4.3 40, I suspect his return days are over but if the middle of this O-line could make a few holes, I won’t be shocked to see him open some eyes.
I’m going to go on a limb and say something just as stupid as reiterating how Velus has failed. Notice he’s never fumbled running the ball as a running back. Of course, the sample size is small. Nothing can predict if it will happen a lot sooner or later. He has successfully caught two screens and many pitch plays without incident. Maybe his problem is when he looks up and has problems with depth perception. If the opposition or fans see him back to return kicks in the future, I would be wary of some sort of razzle-dazzle play. For… Read more »