James Jones spent most of the offseason stressing to teams that he was still healthy and could still play football. Following his release from the Oakland Raiders, Jones sat on a free agent market not very kind to veterans He earned a contract with the New York Giants, but once Odell Beckham Jr returned healthy, he was cut. The Packers took a chance and re-signed Jones following the loss of Jordy Nelson and he thanked the team in a big way.
There are likely a few teams kicking themselves on Monday after seeing that Jones put up 51 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Chicago Bears. With Nelson out for the season and Randall Cobb dealing with shoulder soreness following a preseason injury, it was Jones who came up in a big way and proved that yes, he can still play.
"I'm just going to say that I'm playing with a little chip on my shoulder," Jones said, via JSOnline.com. "I am. If somebody tells you that you can't do something, you're going to want to go out there and prove them wrong. ([Aaron Rodgers] and I) the last couple of days have been talking and talking and talking and talking and talking about what he's looking for, where he needs me to be and things like that. And he gave me some opportunities today."
With Rodgers under center, Jones becomes an instant fantasy target. While Cobb continues to nurse his shoulder issue, it will be Jones along with Davante Adams that get relied on the most. One person not shocked by the resurgence of Jones was head coach Mike McCarthy who credited the receiver's relationship with the quarterback as the reason for the early success. After just three practices together it is clear the chemistry is still there.
"Knowing Aaron Rodgers and their relationship, if I was a betting man, I would've bet the ball was going to go to him today," McCarthy said, vi JSOnline.com. "James looks like he's in amazing playing shape. Aaron and J.J. have a connection as far as timing and so forth, but J.J. made a huge catch down there in the end zone."
The win over the Bears proved that the Packers can still be highly competitive without Nelson making plays. Cobb will return healthy. Ty Montgomery is coming along well in special teams. Eddie Lacy and James Starks will form a nice backfield for Rodgers to work with. Andrew Quarless is also a strong tight end to work with.
"I think we're confident in what we've got," left tackle David Bakhtiari said, via ESPN.com. "Of course, you can't replace Jordy; he's a phenomenal player. But the ability of other guys to step up at wide receiver and the ability for us to grind out those plays is a huge positive to build on."
