Matt Jones

[SmokingMonkey]

I've never been impressed with Alf Morris, and credited a lot of his success to scheme/playing behind RGIII.

New mrg/coaches bringing a new scheme.
RGIII benched, for what is probably the entire season.
Perhaps they are thinking that a full year's rest will bring health and some trade value?

Skins GM has built a solid reputation for having a great eye for talent, and he was the guy in the war room that picked Jones. College Scouting director for SEA from 2000-'04, they draft Shawn Alexander, Steve Hutch. in back to back years, and that was pretty damn good. GM for 49ers, they went from shit to SB contender. Sr Personnell Executive for SEA (whatever the hell that is) when they drafted all their studs, especially day 2 and day 3 studs when most other teams were drafting duds, that panned out quite well.

Say what you want about Jones as a players, it just looks like things are aligned for him to get a legit shot at being a 3 down back, and he performed well in preseason. He's the guy THIS staff/front office wants to get a good look at this year. They already know what they have with Morris.

Definitely worth a late round pick, imo, and I did get him in most of my leagues with one of my last picks each time.

 

[SmokingMonkey]

also don't discount that he gets to play in the NFC East.
defenses are weak, offenses (except WAS) are pretty potent.
I'm guessing the skins are passing a lot this year, and I'll also guess Morris will barely sniff the field, only to spell Jones, when they are passing.

 

[kramer1]

LOL no. I'm just not gonna buy that til I see it.

 

[TREFF]

Agree with kramer, but more politely.

Seeing this reminds me how happy I am Kramer's blocked


I'm sure T and everyone else is aware of my disdain of Alf. I've been high on Matt Jones ever since the rookie draft, nothing had happened to change my mind, only solidify my belief that Alf's time plodding around, masquerading as an NFL RB is finally at it's end.

 

[DALLAScornhusker]

This is an interesting thread for me. I drafted Coleman in the middle rounds and finished the draft with Jones. I liked what I saw of both coming out of college. Coleman should have a higher ceiling than Jones, but I'm with tlance on Jones should most definitely be drafted in 12 and up team leagues. ATL's O-line blows but not enough to keep Coleman down. Skins O-line isn't pretty, but there's more to work with. Value-wise, Coleman has what Jones doesn't - the #1 spot on his team. I get that Jones will see the field, but I doubt he sees more snaps than Coleman (barring injury). I also want to point out that I trust ATL's offense to move the ball better than Washington's, and should score more points. I could see Jones outscore Alf over the course of the year, but not Coleman.

 

[tlance]

Jones may not outscore Coleman.

I just find it interesting how most sites continue to ignore Jones.

I do think, however, that while Coleman's role is more secure than Jones', jones ceiling is far higher. Washington's offense while not nearly as good as Atlanta's is more set up to be a running offense. Atlanta is and will continue to be pass first, thus limiting Coleman's upside.

And before anyone asks, no, I am not starting Jones in week 1. Nor would I start Mathews or Coleman unless I was completely desperate. I want to see exactly what all these guys do before inserting them in a lineup.

 

[TREFF]

Jones may not outscore Coleman.

I just find it interesting how most sites continue to ignore Jones.

I do think, however, that while Coleman's role is more secure than Jones', jones ceiling is far higher. Washington's offense while not nearly as good as Atlanta's is more set up to be a running offense. Atlanta is and will continue to be pass first, thus limiting Coleman's upside.

And before anyone asks, no, I am not starting Jones in week 1. Nor would I start Mathews or Coleman unless I was completely desperate. I want to see exactly what all these guys do before inserting them in a lineup.

Was gonna say pretty much the exact same thing. The Atlanta RB's aren't getting a big piece of that pie, and what they do is going to be split up into 3 pieces. .not even sure Coleman gets the biggest one

 

[tlance]

LOL no. I'm just not gonna buy that til I see it.

Suit yourself, but by then it will probably be too late. Don't come crying here when Jones is the top waiver add next week.

 

[Sam Sportboy]

Suit yourself, but by then it will probably be too late. Don't come crying here when Jones is the top waiver add next week.

Lol...........I think that might be Hankerson..............footballs be flying in that game and I see him getting some love..........

 

[MilkSpiller22]

Wil,

There is a big reason to think Morris won't be the same. He does not fit Gruden's offense at all. In fact, he is such a poor fit that He skins hand picked a replacement RB in the 4th round despite multiple glaring holes elsewhere.

Part of the problem is that washington's offense gets no respect... But it doesn't look like it deserves it yet.... So should you take the backup, even if that player gets his touches, for one of the most durable RBs out there... I get alfred Morris is not flashy, and doesn't catch the ball, but he has stayed healthy and has ran very well in his career... Morris has to disappear totally for Jones to be more than a flex, at least the other RBs you mentioned have an easier path to be a RB2, they are either behind a rb with inefficiency or injury issues or they are on actual decent offenses...

 

[MilkSpiller22]

Part of the problem is that washington's offense gets no respect... But it doesn't look like it deserves it yet.... So should you take the backup, even if that player gets his touches, for one of the most durable RBs out there... I get alfred Morris is not flashy, and doesn't catch the ball, but he has stayed healthy and has ran very well in his career... Morris has to disappear totally for Jones to be more than a flex, at least the other RBs you mentioned have an easier path to be a RB2, they are either behind a rb with inefficiency or injury issues or they are on actual decent offenses...

With that said, i have drafted him whenever i could and i convinced my brother in law to pick him when he spend a WAY to early pick on Morris...

 

[tlance]

Morris is on my do not draft list....

And he has been one of my favorite players for 3 years

 

[MilkSpiller22]

Morris is on my do not draft list....

And he has been one of my favorite players for 3 years

Tlance, how much of your Matt Jones sell is as a homer?? I know i am very high on Devin smith!!!

 

[tlance]

None. I feel like I have a better grip on the situation because they are my local team, but I am not high on Jones because I am a homer.

Watching every game last year, it was very obvious that Gruden was not a fan of Alf. He was far superior to any other back they had as a 1st/2nd down grinder, but he just does not fit what Gruden wants to do. Anytime the Skins went no huddle, Alf was out. There were quite a few short yardage situations custom made for Morris were Helu got the call instead. Far too often, the Skins handed to the fullback on goal to go situations. Tell me, if Alf is not built for short yardage, who is? Yet Gruden went away from him time and again last year.

Now, they have their hand picked guy who can play on 3 downs. Alf's days are numbered in Washington. I think Alf will retain a significant portion of the workload, but there is a very real chance that Matt Jones is this year's Jeremy Hill. He is a better fit and may actually be a better runner too. Than Alf, not Hill.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

None. I feel like I have a better grip on the situation because they are my local team, but I am not high on Jones because I am a homer.

Watching every game last year, it was very obvious that Gruden was not a fan of Alf. He was far superior to any other back they had as a 1st/2nd down grinder, but he just does not fit what Gruden wants to do. Anytime the Skins went no huddle, Alf was out. There were quite a few short yardage situations custom made for Morris were Helu got the call instead. Far too often, the Skins handed to the fullback on goal to go situations. Tell me, if Alf is not built for short yardage, who is? Yet Gruden went away from him time and again last year.

Now, they have their hand picked guy who can play on 3 downs. Alf's days are numbered in Washington. I think Alf will retain a significant portion of the workload, but there is a very real chance that Matt Jones is this year's Jeremy Hill. He is a better fit and may actually be a better runner too. Than Alf, not Hill.

Even if alf's days are numbered... they are not going to want to just shut him down and give Jones the show... they will want to highlight morris to trade him... it is also nice to have a weapon that you don't care about their future, it is very possible that they just run Morris to the grave this season... Again, it is not like they are going to be a playoff team, so why overwork your new rookie kid that you like??

But the real problem is that the skins are going to play from behind a lot this season, the running game is not going to be a high TD opportunity...

 

[wilwhite]

Wil,

There is a big reason to think Morris won't be the same. He does not fit Gruden's offense at all. In fact, he is such a poor fit that He skins hand picked a replacement RB in the 4th round despite multiple glaring holes elsewhere.

But Gruden was there last year and Morris got plenty of carries. Does Gruden have some say that he didn't before? And how does Matt Jones compare to Helu?

 

[Chef99]

Haven't read all the posts in this thread, but I agree with Tlance about Alf...for about half the season last year, Gruden did everything he could not to use him as a bell cow. It was only when all the QBs blew up that he did, and Alf responded pretty darn well. Gruden doesn't want Morris in his system, just like he doesn't want RG3 in his system. They just don't fit.

 

[wilwhite]

LOL no. I'm just not gonna buy that til I see it.

We can compare Tlance's analysis of the RB situation on his home team with your analysis of the RB situation on your home team last year.

 

[tlance]

First, alf has no trade value because he is a free agent next year, and RBs have little to begin with.

2nd, Gruden does not care about alf's value because after his public clashes with Snyder's boy, RG3, Gruden may be out of a job if the Skins don't take steps forward this year.

3rd, you don't need to be on an elite offense to be a fantasy stud at RB. See Jamal Charles, AP, Jeremy Hill last year, I could go on. Bad offenses score points and support fantasy studs too, just not as many.

I don't think Alf get phased out completely, but don't expect him to be a bellcow either. I believe a 50-50 back in Washington can be every bit as good as one in ATL, but for different reasons.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Been betting on Matt Jones myself, but it's a risk. Mostly made sure not to draft Morris in any of my leagues. Also except no trades including Morris. Better ways to go for sure.