Jones tries not to fumble chance
FOXBORO — Rookie cornerback
Cyrus Jones has heard plenty over the past week from the Patriots coaching staff about his fumbled punt against the Texans.
Jones recovered the third-quarter miscue during the 27-0 victory, so there was no damage done. But he doesn’t want to put the Pats in that type of position again, and with Julian
Edelman and Danny Amendola on the team, any further mistakes could cost him his role as the punt returner.
“Of course (the coaches) are going to mention it, but I’m harder on myself than anybody,” Jones said. “I know it’s something I’ve got to be consistent at, and I can’t have things like that happen. It could end up costing us if I turn the ball over. It’s something I’m focusing on, just to prevent anything like that from happening where I put the team in a bad spot.”
Jones fumbled in the second quarter, too, but referee Walt Coleman overturned that ruling with a video review.
“Whether they were fumbles or not, having that be a question is something I don’t want,” Jones said. “I’m definitely focusing on that. I’m focusing on the details, focusing on my ball security to make sure I don’t turn the ball over and put the team in a bad position. That’s something we always stress, and I’ve just got to do a better job of it.”
Jones has averaged 11.0 yards on three punt returns this season, which would rank 10th in the league if he had enough returns to qualify (four). After setting an Alabama record last year with four punt return touchdowns, the rookie clearly has the skills to make a positive impact, and the Pats want that to happen to lessen the load on Edelman and Amendola.
“The returns are going to come,” Jones said. “I’m just focusing on fielding the ball first. I know what I can do once I get the ball in my hands, so I’m relying on those guys to do their job up front and they’re relying on me to first secure the catch and then make plays and have good ball security. Last week is gone, and I’m looking forward to (today).”
Jones, who was the Pats’ first draft pick in April, also doesn’t want to surrender his only guaranteed playing time. He has played 46 defensive snaps (23.4 percent) this season, while safety Duron Harmon (129 snaps, 65.5 percent) and cornerback
Justin Coleman (99 snaps, 50.3 percent) have taken the field more frequently in the sub defense.
Jones will get more chances when he provides a better matchup option, which was the case for his seasonhigh 33 snaps (46.5 percent) against the Texans. He has only been targeted twice this season, allowing an 18-yard completion on the final drive against the Cardinals and forcing an incompletion against the Texans.
“I trust the coaches to put us in the best position,” Jones said. “So I go out to practice every day to constantly improve and get more comfortable out there every time I’m on the field and be ready when my number is called.”
Sackful of Flowers
Second-year defensive end Trey Flowers has been more than a complementary piece so far, as his five quarterback hits are the most on the team. Flowers also has a fumble recovery and a batted pass, though he is still in search of his first career sack.
“It just shows you all the offseason training, and hopefully I can turn all those hits into sacks,” Flowers said. “They say it’s just split seconds, so I’m going to keep on working and trying to improve.”
Flowers has gotten over the shoulder injury that bothered him in the preseason and limited his practice availability for the first three weeks of the regular season, so he should be a full go to back up Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long today against the Bills. The trio has already formed a formidable pass-rushing presence.
“We want to affect the quarterback,” Flowers said. “It may not always count as a sack, but if he is looking at the rush instead of looking downfield for his receivers, we’re affecting him. Anytime you can get some hits on him, get some pressure on him, get in his face, it’s very important.
Another Gronk signs on
The Patriots signed rookie fullback Glenn Gronkowski to the practice squad yesterday. Rob Gronkowski’s little brother got some attention from the Pats leading up to the draft, too. The Pats also signed tight end Greg
Scruggs, who converted from defensive end with the Bears last offseason and clearly made a positive impression with the Patriots during their joint practices in August. To make room, they released defensive tackle
John Hughes, who signed with the team Monday. Additionally, wide receiver Da’Ron Brown was released from the practice squad.
Third’s the word
The Bills have only converted 27.8 percent of their third downs, which was the worst mark in the league through Week 3. But the Patriots’ third-down defense (allowing 45.9 percent to be converted) is the fifth worst in the NFL, so this will be a key matchup.
“I don’t see necessarily anything to exploit,” Long said of the Bills’ thirddown woes. “I see a lot of strengths.”