According to defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, Jarvis Jones has "it". The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie linebacker could possibly be in contention for a starting role. Pittsburgh's track record of putting rookies on the field, especially rookie linebackers, is not strong but Jones could be the one to change that. Drafted out of the University of Georgia, Jones has picked up right where he left off and the Steelers are noticing.
LeBeau told press that Jones has "it" and the Steelers intend to let him use it. It is just a matter of when. The rookie is catching onto the system incredibly quickly. In the team's first preseason game, he displayed the raw talent and athleticism that drew the Steelers to him in the first place. Jones recovered fumble after a botched handoff by the New York Giants. It was was not intended to be a rush play, but that kind of of heads-up play is what is getting Jones noticed as a potential starter.
Veteran Lawrence Timmons is certainly impressed.
"He's a great player," Timmons said via the team website. "He has it all and once he puts it all together, he'll be a problem."
Jones understands his place with the team. He knows as a rookie mistakes will come, but he intends on speeding the learning curve up as quickly as possible.
"I'm doing a great job, but at the same time I'm a rookie," Jones said. "There's going to be a learning curve and I'm going to make some errors. I'm doing a good job of taking the process slow and learning."
Early success only means so much for the Steelers. At the moment, Jones will stay sitting behind fourth-year linebacker Jason Worilds. With team experience already under his belt, Worilds is the obvious choice to start, but his injury history is against him. At the moment, LeBeau is sticking with the veteran and waiting to see just how quickly Jones can adjust.
"He's completely heeled, and I thought he played well in the first game and I've been pleased with what I've seen from him. We're going to need those young guys to grow and give us the outside presence in our defense," LeBeau said.
Jones certainly represents the young guys. If he continues to make plays like he did against the New York Giants, he could break the trend and start Week 1.
