'10 GA WR Tai-ler Jones (Notre Dame Signee)

[Irishnuke]

Good for him but I don't think he'll even be the best receiver at ND next year. Probably the most reliable one though.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

More like a good, reliable #3 WR. Nothing wrong with that, I do believe a team will draft him and be glad that they did. But him even being a #2 WR in the NFL is a bit of a stretch IMO.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Well.... starting with our consensus "revised reading" of this list as being of seniors only, I am quite comfortable with TJ Jones being on that list. Here are my reasons:

1]. Kelly looked at TJs total game and decided to name him as a freshman starter. Coach knows that TJ Jones is a consummate professional who not only has very good skills, but does everything right. Many times the doing of everything right is overlooked in the value column of a player.

2]. TJ Jones has been on football teams at Notre Dame with a Golden Tate just leaving, and a Michael Floyd, Kyle Rudolph, and Tyler Eifert still on the field. A sound argument could be made for any of those four people being the best pass-catching threat in the nation. The Notre Dame family has been spoiled rotten when it comes to Superhero receivers.

3]. At no time in TJs career has Notre Dame fielded an elite-functioning quarterback to throw to him or any of those people. When these non-elite QBs got in trouble [translation: about half the time], they either looked for their security blanket or fired somewhere randomly and inaccurately [typically]. When so targeted, TJ bailed them out as regularly as anybody.

4]. Kelly's offense is not based upon a featured receiver, though Floyd and Eifert were forced to act that way due to QB inefficiencies many times. Kelly's offense ideally runs by having good "reading" QBs throwing quickly to 5-6 receivers with fresh legs. Even while trying to spread the ball around, TJ catches more than just about anyone.

I believe that TJ Jones is an EXTREMELY under-rated receiver. That he would be among the Top 5 senior WRs in the draft next year would be utterly unsurprising to me. Will non-senior early-bolters go ahead of him? Sure. Not the point of the article as I read it.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Okay, they been feedin' me ten thousand watts a week, and I'm feelin' hot-to-trot! (Reference?)

I will go out on a limb and say that Tai-ler raises his game to an unbelievable level this fall. That he may not have room for a number seven on his chest because of the big red "S"

Seriously. This guys performance will be jaw dropping. There will be little continuity from years one through three, and four. I have now heard this from three different sources. He is locked, cocked, and ready to rock.

 

[Emcee77]

I'm so bummed for T.J, but so proud of the way he played. What a warrior.

With his father's passing last summer, T.J. wanted this NC more than anybody. He has said how much it would mean to him to be able to help bring an NC to ND, just like his father did in '88.

And he played his A$$ off to make it happen. Supreme effort and concentration from him. Probably the best game of his life.

That it wasn't enough ... ugh. My heart just breaks for him.

I wrote this after the NCG and I'll stand by it ... TJ played amazing in that game. Maybe this writer who's picking TJ as one of the top 5 WR prospects in next year's draft is basing his opinion mostly on that game? I'm encouraged by that game too and I'm expecting big things from TJ next year, but I definitely don't think of him as a top NFL prospect. I just don't see that kind of size and/or speed from him. I hope he proves me wrong this season.

 

[Luckylucci]

TJ will never be explosive but I do believe he'll have his best reception year this coming year. IMO, Kelly will lean heavily on him when needed. And as I'm writing this I am brain storming the best receivers of the last decade and from just a hands perspective TJ has got to be up there. Very sure handed which some NFL coaches will like.

 

[Riddickulous]

I think he has an NFL future. Runs great routes, excellent hands, and has very underrated YAC ability.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I think he has an NFL future. Runs great routes, excellent hands, and has very underrated YAC ability.

And don't forget he can do shiit like in that Pitt game.

 

[dublinirish]

made the Biletnikoff Award watch list

 

[PANDFAN]

TJ Jones Swims With Sharks - YouTube

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I liked the whiteboard: "Welcome shark dinner," with dinner crossed off and diver inserted, as well as "TJ!"

I love this kid!

 

[Irish Houstonian]

IMO he'll be probably the most important offensive player this year. Each season the team has needed a consistent 3rd down playmaker to keep drives alive (Floyd, Eifert), and he's going to have to be the one to fill that role.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

IMO he'll be probably the most important offensive player this year. Each season the team has needed a consistent 3rd down playmaker to keep drives alive (Floyd, Eifert), and he's going to have to be the one to fill that role.

Good thought! Wow, I am really glad he survived the sharks!






lol.

 

[BeauBenken]

Like how the camera man sneaks in a glance of his diving instructors butt...

 

[connect the dots]

IMO he'll be probably the most important offensive player this year. Each season the team has needed a consistent 3rd down playmaker to keep drives alive (Floyd, Eifert), and he's going to have to be the one to fill that role.

What game did Tommy Rees bounce a football off the doubtfully aware helmet of Tai-ler? If memory serves, it was in the end zone.

 

[PANDFAN]

What game did Tommy Rees bounce a football off the doubtfully aware helmet of Tai-ler? If memory serves, it was in the end zone.

usf...we don't talk about that game...purple face bk

 

[NDdomer2]

usf...we don't talk about that game...purple face bk

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Personally, don't think he was going anywhere with it even if he caught it but still terrible.

and i don't have a clue what is going on with the text added to this video

 

[BGIF]

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Personally, don't think he was going anywhere with it even if he caught it but still terrible.

and i don't have a clue what is going on with the text added to this video

Probably tackled for a yard or no gain but it would have been 2nd and goal.


If you watch the play again, Jones comes across from the left as Floyd comes across deeper from the right. Two other receivers have cleared out the area in front of Floyd.

For as much as Rees gets bagged for locking on Floyd, had Rees been locked onto Floyd it would have been a TD. Instead he threw to Jones who apparently wasn't the primary so he wasn't looking for ball. A turnover at the 5 in a 3 point loss.

 

[PANDFAN]

either way that season was doomed from DAY 1...the storm, Crist, Jonas Fumble, Jones getting hit in the head w/ football....didn't matter.........but TJ has been mr reliable since that season! that man had a lot of sh#t to deal w/ right before the start of season and i would be willing to bet aaron rodger's paycheck he was mentally checked out that year

 

[Bogtrotter07]

This year they both have a chance to correct, and make up for that.

 

[IrishLion]

I wouldn't mind one bit if I heard "Tommy to TJ on the completion" 70+ times over the course of the year

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Probably tackled for a yard or no gain but it would have been 2nd and goal.


If you watch the play again, Jones comes across from the left as Floyd comes across deeper from the right. Two other receivers have cleared out the area in front of Floyd.

For as much as Rees gets bagged for locking on Floyd, had Rees been locked onto Floyd it would have been a TD. Instead he threw to Jones who apparently wasn't the primary so he wasn't looking for ball. A turnover at the 5 in a 3 point loss.

I remember putting some of that debacle on the play caller, and would still do so.

Why in the hell do you run a 4 WR set on 1st and 5, at home, against an inferior opponent? And then, run crossing routes to the boundary? It was just too cute for our own good. (See also, not kicking the FG against Tulsa).

 

[BGIF]

I remember putting some of that debacle on the play caller, and would still do so.

Why in the hell do you run a 4 WR set on 1st and 5, at home, against an inferior opponent? And then, run crossing routes to the boundary? It was just too cute for our own good. (See also, not kicking the FG against Tulsa).

A crossing pattern is too cute?

ND WR's had an incredible talent and height advantage over USF. Kelly went with his strength. He had two First Round Draft Choices on the field and a RB that went undrafted. Look at the play both areas get cleared out. It was a well drawn up play. The execution was inferior as one receiver forgot a primary directive, LOOK FOR THE ****ING BALL!

He does now.

 

[woolybug25]

I remember putting some of that debacle on the play caller, and would still do so.

Why in the hell do you run a 4 WR set on 1st and 5, at home, against an inferior opponent? And then, run crossing routes to the boundary? It was just too cute for our own good. (See also, not kicking the FG against Tulsa).

Some people just refuse to believe that BK is capable of mistakes in play calling, but all coaches do.

Don't get me started on the Tulsa call. Me and somebody (Hollywood, maybe?) argued until we were both blue in the face on that call. I still believe 9 out 10 coaches would have just kicked the damn FG.

 

[STLDomer]

Just checked out TJ's Rivals profile, they were spot on:

On the Hoof: Jones has adequate height at about 6 feet and his frame is thin but not fragile. He needs to add weight but has the frame that should allow him to get stronger.

Needs Improvement: Jones body needs to continue to mature physically and fill out to not only be able to get off of the line of scrimmage effectively but also to take the college football beating. Already has good speed but Jones could continue to improve in that area.

Most Impressive: Jones is a surgeon with his route-running. He is very sharp in and out of his cuts, and he has a good understanding of defenses, where the soft spot is in zone coverage and how to get open against man coverage. Jones has elite ball skills, catches the ball with his hands away from his body and rarely drops a pass. Once the ball is in his hands, he has the ability to make the initial defender miss.

Conclusion: As he develops physically, Jones has the ability and consistency to be a very productive college wide receiver and put up serious numbers. He will come in polished enough to contribute early on in his career assuming he can add some good weight over the next year.

 

[IrishLion]

A crossing pattern is too cute?

ND WR's had an incredible talent and height advantage over USF. Kelly went with his strength. He had two First Round Draft Choices on the field and a RB that went undrafted. Look at the play both areas get cleared out. It was a well drawn up play. The execution was inferior as one receiver forgot a primary directive, LOOK FOR THE ****ING BALL!

He does now.

I can't find a full version of the play for the life of me, but I'm pretty certain that ND ran this exact same play against Michigan the next week and TJ took it in for a score. I think it's a decent play in the redzone; the field is shrinking, so create space with routes, angles and superior athleticism.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

A crossing pattern is too cute?

On 1st and goal from 5, yes.

 

[NDdomer2]

I can't find a full version of the play for the life of me, but I'm pretty certain that ND ran this exact same play against Michigan the next week and TJ took it in for a score. I think it's a decent play in the redzone; the field is shrinking, so create space with routes, angles and superior athleticism.

I couldn't find much. 2:32 they show the play but you cant really see any of the pre snap. I am sure it is out there somewhere.

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[Praytorian]

I give credit, where credit is due. I also give blame where blame is due.
There are no if's regarding that play there is only what was. TJ didn't look for the ball.
Not if Kelly had called a different play, or TR passed to MF.
I know that I personally can't recall TJ ever not looking for a ball since then though. Purple face must have scared that into the kid.
So while we are upset at that play and want to recall NOW that it was the play that cost us the game, its always more than one play, one person.
The play wasn't a BAD one. If TR had tossed it to MF and scored a TD you probably would have said BK called a great play. If TJ had caught the ball and scored (IF), same thing.

 

[NDdomer2]

I don't think Mike was open when Rees threw the ball. There was significant pressure right up the gut and Rees felt he needed to let it rip. Had he got a chance to wait another moment or two Mike would have been wide open. I honestly think the best option after review is the flat dump to Cierre.