Patriots Gameday: Jonathan Jones creating an island of his own
If the New England Patriots are to pull a shocker at Lambeau field on Sunday, it will be due to the defense finding a way to frustrate Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
In this latest Bill Belichick vs Rodgers battle, one man in the secondary who can cause some havoc is veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones who has stepped into that No. 1 corner spot nicely. In fact, through Week 3 Jones has been PFF’s highest-graded player at the position.
That comes after lining up against the likes of Tyreek Hill, Diontae Johnson, and Rashod Bateman. So, on Sunday against the Packers, expect Jones to create his own island as Belichick will play the chess game with Rodgers by taking away his top option.
New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones stepping into that lockdown corner role
Whether that is veteran receiver Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard or rookie Romeo Doubs, the Patriots’ secondary will lock in on taking away the passing game as the front seven key in on the running game featuring Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon.
Will this be the game Jonathan Jones really makes a name for himself?
Aside from the PFF ranking, Jones is already being noticed by the likes of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin who isn’t surprised Jones has stepped in as the latest Patriots shutdown corner.
"“They play a really, really good matchup game,” Tomlin said of Jones, via Masslive.com. “An example: I’m watching their tape, and they’ve always got a lockdown-match corner over the years. In recent years, it’s been Gilmore, and then it was Jackson, and now it’s Jones. I think that’s what you get when you get continuity in a program, if you will.”"
In playing a slot corner role through previous seasons, Belichick has turned to Jones at time to cover the opposing team’s fastest receivers with safety help. That left Gilmore or Jackson in a position to matchup one-on-one with the No. 2 receiver. So, Jones was in prime position to fill the void when Jackson walked away this offseason, or perhaps he was the reason Jackson was allowed to take the money and run.
So far this season, Jonathan Jones has made a genius out of Belichick, once again proving the coach knew he had the next man already on the team. Like Tomlin pointed out, the continuity in the program has allowed Jones to learn behind the likes of Gilmore and Jackson and step into that top corner role now that his time has come.
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With the New England Patriots, it is always the next man up, and Jones has defined that approach this season.
"“Just go in, fit with the program,” Jones said. “I mean, literally, come in, they tell me who my matchup is and what the scheme is going to be for the week, and I just go out and try to complete it. It’s kinda been that way since I’ve been here. Working inside before, now moving outside, I guess when you turn on the film it can kinda seem that way.”"
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With the New England Patriots likely playing mind games with Rodgers on Sunday, any success or lack thereof will depend on Jones. That’s Jonathan Jones. The Packers may instead try their luck against Jalen Mills or Jack Jones.
It’s gameday.