Buffalo Bills Stevie Johnson praises Donald Jones
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson often makes headlines for controversial statements or actions, with his most recent act of note being a tweet jokingly asking North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un to bomb Foxboro. That joke was viewed with a critical eye by some, while others enjoyed it.
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Anyway, what Johnson recently told the Boston Herald will sit pretty well with New England Patriots, because he praised former Bills receiver and teammate Donald Jones. The Patriots are looking to go young at the wide receiver position, and Jones was a surprising addition to the squad at the beginning of the free agent period. Jones is a decent No. 3 or 4 option, but he was not tendered by the Bills since they are looking for true playmakers in the No. 1 receiver mold. The Bills did not view Jones as that type of player (he obviously isn’t), but he’s a solid possession receiver when healthy (he does have an injury history).
Johnson is likely just touting a friend and a teammate, but I find it interesting that he touted Jones as a potential playmaker. He told the Herald, ”
“There was no issues with him. He came to compete every day whether it was cold, whether it was hot, whatever,” Johnson said. “And he worked his way to get into a starting position, and that says a lot coming from not being drafted, coming from a small school, and getting himself a shot at being a starting receiver. He has all the tools to be a playmaker. It just didn’t happen here. Things didn’t go right. There were opportunities for him to flourish in this offense. It just didn’t work here. But there were plenty of small plays that he made that got things going. And I think with Brady, and the weapons you have in New England, those plays are going to be noticed now.”
What Johnson said is interesting, because he specifically points out the fact that Donald Jones will have significantly greater success with Tom Brady throwing him the rock. It’s not earth-shattering news that Brady makes the receivers around him look better (every elite quarterback does), but it is interesting to hear Johnson say that Jones had chances “to flourish” in Buffalo and has the tools to be a playmaker on the outside. Did Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s struggles hinder him?
If Jones can stay healthy, then he could be an effective replacement for Brandon Lloyd in 2013. I’m glad to hear that Jones has that “hungry” mentality (fellow incoming WR Danny Amendola does too) that will mesh well with Brady, and I think there’s some value to glean from that quote provided by Stevie Johnson.
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