Newly signed Charger Jones excited to play with 'intense' Rivers
After initial visits to the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans, former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones has agreed to a two-year contract that is worth up to $5.5 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rappaport.
Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't just the 80-degree weather that lured him to San Diego.
"It's a great team," the eight-year veteran said of his new team at an introductory press conference Friday afternoon. "They're contenders. Playing with No. 17 will be great.
"I talked to Phil yesterday and again as he was getting his workout in, I interrupted him and he looked at me like I was crazy. He's an intense guy."
That "intense" guy is, as expected, pretty excited to have Jones join his squad of targets that already includes Antonio Gates, Keenan Allen and Malcom Floyd.
"I think he's just an explosive player, and he's proven that," Philip Rivers said of Jones to Chargers.com. "He can do a little bit of everything, but it's those chunk plays that you really think about with him. He's obviously got the speed and range, and he's long. I think he'll fit in well.
"The little I've talked to him, he's got that swagger you like in a receiver and playmaker."
Jones, who won a Super Bowl in his hometown with the Ravens in 2012, hasn't let any of his accolades cloud the sort of player he is. Having found the end zone 14 times as a receiver and nine times as a special teams returner, Jones knows what he needs to do to help the Chargers succeed.
"I'm a role player, I'm not the type of person that will (complain) and look for the ball and beg to get my number called," he said. "I want to be there to make that play. If I can help stretch (the defense) to get somebody open, I'll do it.
"I'm going to be that guy to help take the top off. To free up some of those guys like Gates underneath, Keenan and all those guys who'll be burning and might catch them slipping. Phil might throw one up, and I'm going to go get it."
In signing Jones the Chargers not only buy themselves a receiver who's averaged 13.5 yards a catch while scoring 14 touchdowns overall, but a kick and punt returner who's found the end zone nine times. It's a quality coaches frequently seek, but a skill few players have.
"Once I feel comfortable with my guys and I know (they're) going to make that block, I don't think twice, I'm just going to hit it 100 miles an hour," he said. "You're either going to kill me or you miss me.
"You got to be fearless. My old college coach told me you got to be a fast fool. So, I guess I'm a fast fool."
The 30-year-old Jones comes into town in a similar situation to the one he left back in Baltimore: he's the second-oldest player in at his position. Conceding only three years to Chargers wideout Malcom Floyd, Jones is poised to bring a veteran presence with him as third-year receiver Keenan Allen and former CFL standout Dontrelle Inman continue to ascend into their roles on this team.
But don't let his age fool you; he's here to play.
"I'm old by numbers, but mentally I feel like I'm 12," he said. "Body-wise, I feel great. I'm just coming in to play my role."
A New Orleans native, Jones was drafted in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. He spent five years with Houston before signing a free-agent contract with Baltimore in 2012.
