Jones makes most of increased chances
FOXBORO — Secondyear Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones turned heads after a solid performance in relief during Sunday’s win against New Orleans, his main highlight a pass break-up on a potential touchdown strike from Saints quarterback Drew Brees to Ted Ginn Jr. in the back of the end zone during the second quarter.
That play, plus a similar one made against Brandon Coleman, was enough to earn praise from coach Bill Belichick on Tuesday.
“I thought on both of those plays, the technique that he used to finish the play, the final reception point, was excellent, perfect,” Belichick said. “It was textbook technique, what we teach all of our players to do, but it’s a great illustration of Jonathan doing it and having two big plays, two very productive plays.
Said Jones: “Those plays, you just have to keep your composure. You can’t see the ball, you know the ball is coming, you have to play through the hands. It’s keeping composure, I think, is the biggest thing in those situations, not getting pass interference and be able to get a pass break-up.”
Jones mainly has played on special teams for the Patriots, where he’s become a core player in coverage with his speed (4.33 seconds in the 40-yard dash).
But the undrafted free agent out of Auburn was thrust into the defensive mix after Eric Rowe exited the game with a groin injury. Jones played 27 snaps at corner. The Saints tested him early and often, as Brees appeared to audible into plays that targeted Jones several times, including the would-be touchdown pass to Ginn.
It’s something Jones said he was “definitely” aware of entering the game as a relative unknown.
“I think anytime you come in as a backup player in any position, I think you should be prepared for them to test you,” Jones said. “They’re going to come at the guys they’re not used to seeing, so you have to be able to step up.”
Jones might be tested some more Sunday against Houston. Cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Eric Rowe were limited at practice yesterday because of groin injuries. Malcolm Butler also saw a decrease in playing time against the Saints, taking just 75 percent of defensive snaps after playing every down against Kansas City.
If injury problems strike the Patriots again Sunday, or the coaches decide to shake up the starting cornerback group after what’s been a slow start to the season, Jones would be the next man up.
“You definitely have to always be prepared, especially when you go into games being the fourth corner. There’s three guys, and if somebody goes down, you have to be prepared,” Jones said. “You have to be prepared going into the week as if you’re going to play every down because you never know.”