Matt Jones-Redeemer at work

[walzav29]

Who cares about league perception? I don't. This only works if you have a strong foundation. Thanks to CP, Whit, Peko, Hall, Rivers, and Crocker we have that. There is really no risk with signing knuckleheads (Like Cedric I remind you) to 1 year deals and hope for the best. It makes total sense to me. Marvin and Palmer are the standard. Don't act right get cut.

[membengal]

Plus, given our red zone passing issues after Chris got hurt in the Baltimore game, I am intrigued about the possibilty of adding Matt Jones if only to be a big target in the end zone.

[bwillycuse]

Matt Jones apparently is a Bengal

/>http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/35367301/ns/sports-player_news/

Im good with it. Im actually happy we got a huge fast receiver that has unlimited potential.

Just stay off the blow.

[Ickey44]

Plus, given our red zone passing issues after Chris got hurt in the Baltimore game, I am intrigued about the possibilty of adding Matt Jones is only to be a big target in the end zone.

Agreed. His size could make him a good downfield threat, too. Toss it up and let him catch it. He was actually having a breakout season in Jacksonville before the whole cocaine thing.

[gregstephens]

I'm good with this. He's not known as a locker room threat, and that's really about my only qualifier in terms of giving FAs a shot. I also agree with the line of thought that applauds the continual proactive nature of SoP's thinking. Sure, we're all hoping to get the next Fredo or Douchemandzadeh in the draft, but why wait? Get some cheap insurance now.

[walzav29]

Very good signing. He is a better Chris Henry. Boy Mike Brown is determined to get something out of the class of 05. This is better than Stallworth or TO. He's big, fast and perfect. Now get Gilyard in the 2nd and we'll be good to go.

/>http://www.nfl.com/players/mattjones/profile?id=JON603496

/>http://www.nfl.com/players/chrishenry/profile?id=HEN601374

[HairOnFire]

It's too good to hate, but....who could love it?

(shrug)

I can live with it.

Mostly because it ends the first act of the WR circus ALMOST before it began.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Mostly because it ends the first act of the WR circus ALMOST before it began.

Are you telling me I don't need to get my popcorn ready?

[cHaD711Johnson]

Whoever thinks that Matt Jones is better than TO is smoking the same stuff that Jones was.

[HairOnFire]

Mostly because it ends the first act of the WR circus ALMOST before it began.

Are you telling me I don't need to get my popcorn ready?

Popcorn?

Probably not.

I'm guessing the second act will feature chips.

Or rather, chip.

Singular and red.

[derekshank]

Whoever thinks that Matt Jones is better than TO is smoking the same stuff that Jones was.

Sure...

However, at this point in their careers, who has the more upside?

I think we all know what T.O. is capable of. He is still serviceable, but he's a shell of his former self. At age 36, he's not going to suddenly get bigger, faster, and stronger. And best case scenario he would give the Bengals one good season.

Matt Jones on the other hand turns 27 in April. Sure, his very best year is comparable to T.O.s worst year - but he spent several years learning the WR position. Assuming that he can turn his life around, it has the potential to be a very good move. It might end up being nothing of note - but you can't blame a guy for trying.

[kneepit]

This about sums it up.

[membengal]

This about sums it up.

Yawn. Predictable.

Many Ravens fans are less than happy about this on call-in shows by the way, given that Baltimore so badly needs to upgrade its receiving corp.

[walzav29]

Whoever thinks that Matt Jones is better than TO is smoking the same stuff that Jones was.

But is he better than Henry? I say yes. So that is an upgrade. This will help big time in the red zone. Does this put us over the top? No. But it helps.

[SupaBran]

Very good signing. He is a better Chris Henry. Boy Mike Brown is determined to get something out of the class of 05. This is better than Stallworth or TO. He's big, fast and perfect. Now get Gilyard in the 2nd and we'll be good to go.

/>http://www.nfl.com/players/mattjones/profile?id=JON603496

/>http://www.nfl.com/players/chrishenry/profile?id=HEN601374

Whoa...better than Chris Henry?

[SupaBran]

Whoever thinks that Matt Jones is better than TO is smoking the same stuff that Jones was.

But is he better than Henry? I say yes.

[BengalPimp]

Whether Jones is a good fit or not, it shows that the front office is being proactive even before free agency and exploring their options to fix a huge position of need, and that gets a big thumbs up from me.

Whatever you do...Don't drink the Kool-Aid.

Proactive? They had 2 problem children in to take a look and signed one....I wouldn't be giving Mikey and the crew any credit just yet....Let's see what they do when free-agency rolls around. I believe it starts Feb 27th. Let's see what Mikey does then...This might be the only move "El Cheapo" makes.

[wpeldios]

I like it for one reason. It hopefully means no Owens. Ok 2 reasons, the guy is also huge.

[BengalByTheBay]

My main concern here is less "character" than whether -- after a year out of the league -- Jones still has sufficient speed and drive. If so, rock on - he might even make the team. He looks to fit a need and I do recall him making some incredible catches in the past. Hands seem to be good enough to have made the full transition from college QB to NFL WR. I have little concern about perception in the media because the real story is that the Bengals have a decent recent track record of making this work. He should be motivated. Finally, although my head said yes on TO, my heart just couldn't get into it. Hopefully, this ends that speculation. For the record, however, I'd still like to see them take a run at Malcom Floyd.

[blueridge]

My main concern here is less "character" than whether -- after a year out of the league -- Jones still has sufficient speed and drive. If so, rock on - he might even make the team. He looks to fit a need and I do recall him making some incredible catches in the past. Hands seem to be good enough to have made the full transition from college QB to NFL WR. I have little concern about perception in the media because the real story is that the Bengals have a decent recent track record of making this work. He should be motivated. Finally, although my head said yes on TO, my heart just couldn't get into it. Hopefully, this ends that speculation. For the record, however, I'd still like to see them take a run at Malcom Floyd.

The signing of Matt Jones is nothing but good news. He isn't the answer to the WR problem, but Jones is definitely a step in the right direction, and I applaud the Bengals for being aggressive and wasting no time in addressing some of the problem areas of the roster. As for Jones, whatever his baggage,he has great size,runs very well, and has terrific hands. He also has 4 years of NFL experience and is only 26. What really gets me,though, is that some people have responded to the Jones signing by bleating about Terrell Owens.The Bengals deserve some credit for this signing.

[BengalszoneBilly]

The signing of Matt Jones is nothing but good news.

Agreed. I'm good with it.

[markymark69]

I like the signing of Matt Jones. Low risk, high reward. Fills a need. Big, fast and can throw the ball. Looks like a wildcat candidate?

Of course if they keep taking chances on some of these guys --- they will eventually get burned. I like this one though.

[kingwilly]

My main concern here is less "character" than whether -- after a year out of the league -- Jones still has sufficient speed and drive. If so, rock on - he might even make the team. He looks to fit a need and I do recall him making some incredible catches in the past. Hands seem to be good enough to have made the full transition from college QB to NFL WR. I have little concern about perception in the media because the real story is that the Bengals have a decent recent track record of making this work. He should be motivated. Finally, although my head said yes on TO, my heart just couldn't get into it. Hopefully, this ends that speculation. For the record, however, I'd still like to see them take a run at Malcom Floyd.

The signing of Matt Jones is nothing but good news. He isn't the answer to the WR problem, but Jones is definitely a step in the right direction, and I applaud the Bengals for being aggressive and wasting no time in addressing some of the problem areas of the roster. As for Jones, whatever his baggage,he has great size,runs very well, and has terrific hands. He also has 4 years of NFL experience and is only 26. What really gets me,though, is that some people have responded to the Jones signing by bleating about Terrell Owens.The Bengals deserve some credit for this signing.

Yes. and no.

This all begs the question...why start at the bottom of the clearance bin?

I admit that this team struck gold with its largely scrap heap defense but it does not always apply. in this offense I'd argue that a guy like Tory Holt would have been a better fit, rather than a largely undeveloped WR like Jones.

All I can say is wow.

[HoosierCat]

This all begs the question...why start at the bottom of the clearance bin?

Because the clearance bin is the only bin open right now.

I admit that this team struck gold with its largely scrap heap defense but it does not always apply. in this offense I'd argue that a guy like Tory Holt

Really? Holt? Really? Didn't we just try that with Coles.

would have been a better fit, rather than a largely undeveloped WR like Jones.

Undeveloped? He has 2,000+ career receiving yards, which makes him more developed than anyone other than Chad and Coles.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

My main concern here is less "character" than whether -- after a year out of the league -- Jones still has sufficient speed and drive. If so, rock on - he might even make the team. He looks to fit a need and I do recall him making some incredible catches in the past. Hands seem to be good enough to have made the full transition from college QB to NFL WR. I have little concern about perception in the media because the real story is that the Bengals have a decent recent track record of making this work. He should be motivated. Finally, although my head said yes on TO, my heart just couldn't get into it. Hopefully, this ends that speculation. For the record, however, I'd still like to see them take a run at Malcom Floyd.

The signing of Matt Jones is nothing but good news. He isn't the answer to the WR problem, but Jones is definitely a step in the right direction, and I applaud the Bengals for being aggressive and wasting no time in addressing some of the problem areas of the roster. As for Jones, whatever his baggage,he has great size,runs very well, and has terrific hands. He also has 4 years of NFL experience and is only 26. What really gets me,though, is that some people have responded to the Jones signing by bleating about Terrell Owens.The Bengals deserve some credit for this signing.

I don't think anyone was beating down Jones' door to sign him. He would've cost more than $700k if so. Get kicked out of the league for drugs or law troubles? The Bengals' are your first stop.

He's a marginal receiver with some upside no one really wanted, we'll see how he does, I don't really care one way or the other honestly, but find it odd anyone would think it's some sort of saavy, aggressive move.

Cutting Graham and signing someone else was expected, the Bengals' weren't going to pay him any ways.

I suppose this is the move that confirms they've pretty much given up on Simpson.