Reshad Jones…You’re An Idiot

Reshad Jones…you’re an Idiot

I re-watched last Sunday’s game and I couldn’t help but notice one player sticking out in the complete wrong way.  I try my best to usually provide some positive feedback, but I can’t hold my tongue any longer.  The majority of people that know me here on Phinphantic know that I love breaking down the secondary and play extra close attention to the Safety positions.  Based on this, it’s time for me to vent out a little frustration on one player; Rashad Jones.

Reviewing the game tape, Vontae Davis made a great interception on Rex Grossman early in the game and made some moves to try to return it for a pick 6.  Congrats to VD for getting his first INT in over a year.  So how is Rashad Jones affiliated to this INT, let me show you what I saw.

Please note all images extracted from NFL.com

The INT pick was caused by a Redskins WR (Hankerson) slipping on a route. First let’s start at the beginning

Davis is highlighted in yellow and Jones is red.

Davis is playing a soft man coverage on Hankerson and Jones is roaming the field as the Robber.  As the play develops, Hankerson slips on the field and Davis makes a great play.  Jones is behind Davis and start running to catch up:

Davis makes the pick and Jones is in the back.

As a former player, the first thing you do once you see a teammate making an INT is block for them.  Allow your teammate to get any extra yards they can…..

Seems like a simple lesson, but Jones…here is where you become an idiot:

Jones has the right idea…start running infront of Davis to become a lead blocker…but look at Jones he’s looking at Davis.  Most likely asking him to lateral the ball.  Well Jones, Davis can’t do that, because you are in front of him.

Secondly, why are you watching him, Get up front and start blocking!

Davis then breaks a tackle, and still look at Jones…he’s still admiring Davis…oh my. Jones start blocking someone…come on mon!

Now this is where I lost it.

Davis now puts it in second gear and tries to break away. What does Jones do…he gives up on the play and instead of blocking someone he lets up and allows Davis to run without a lead blocker:

What should have Jones done…just look at the picture. Davis has two Redskins in front of him, wouldn’t it have been great if he had a lead blocker, cough cough Jones taking out Helu or 62?
Nope, that can’t happen because Davis already out hustled him and is now stopped for a nice gain that could have been a lot more.

Any player that has every played this game knows that the best plays you can make for a teammate are the unselfish plays.  Jones is not making any plays that would benefit the team or his teammates.  Coaches around the league and players will re-watch this game and see the exact same thing in which I have provided for you.  What does this mean in the end of the things…well I have said it once and I’ll say it again ,we can’t continue like this.  We need to address our Safety position and we need to cut ties with all Safeties that we have on our team (with the exception of Bell).  If Clemons can’t overtake Jones that means he is regressing worse than I can imagine, but let’s first start with Jones.  In my eyes its time to cut him.

Do you agree?