DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum James Jones released by Raiders

Oakland Raiders Shockingly Release James Jones

by Chase Ruttig 4h ago
Late on Sunday night the Oakland Raiders made a post-2015 NFL Draft roster move that shocked those in the Bay Area, dropping one of their proven veterans on offense along with their top 2014 wide receivers in the wake of drafting Amari Cooper fourth overall and picking up Fresno State wideout Josh Harper as an undrafted free agent. Releasing former Green Bay Packers receiver and San Jose native James Jones in what was an eye opening move considering Jones performance for the team in his first season in Oakland.

Jones was one of the Raiders leading receivers in 2014, catching six touchdowns and providing leadership in the wide receiver group along with helping out rookie quarterback Derek Carr as a consistent target. However with the additions of projected top targets in Cooper and free agent Michael Crabtree along with the potential of Carr’s former Fresno State teammate in Harper making the 53 man roster the Raiders decided over the weekend that the 31 year old was suddenly expendable.

Jones confirmed his release on Sunday night to Fallon Smith of CSN Bay Area, an outcome that put a sad end to what was a feel good story in the San Jose native making a return to North California after a successful career with the Green Bay Packers. A former Super Bowl champion coming home to play for the Raiders, and doing quite well for himself despite being just past his prime. His age in the end becoming his downfall with a sudden release from general manager Reggie McKenzie and a new coaching staff.

Jones being released now makes Michael Crabtree the veteran receiver in the Raiders setup at wideout, a player who lacks the same leadership qualities despite having a higher upside in terms of production. Getting rid of a player who was steady for the team last season and had the experience of knowing what it takes to win a championship from the locker room a puzzling decision from McKenzie to say the least.

Oakland Raiders Release Miles Burris In Post-Draft Purge3h ago

What Jones release does is free up targets and snaps for some of the younger Raiders wideouts on the roster. A group that now includes Cooper and Harper, but also includes the likes of Andre Holmes, Rod Streater along with Brice Butler. All of those players listed are promising and need time on the field to develop to their full potential. Dropping Jones from the roster accomplishes that, but it also comes at the cost of losing a player considered as a leader as well as one who was the Raiders most consistent red zone threat for Carr.

That won’t be a problem if the younger receivers and Crabtree step up to the plate, but it will still be disappointing to see an influx of receivers come at the price of losing a player who arguably deserved one more season in Oakland. Jones is likely to find a new team, but his time back in the area with the Raiders is now officially over for the San Jose native who left the only team he ever played for in Green Bay for a single season in Oakland.

http://justblogbaby.com/2015/05/04/oakland-raiders-shockingly-release-james-jones/

Could this be another Cut/Release signing for the Browns ??

I don't see how he fits on the roster.

Wow. Jones has only missed 2 games in the past 6 years, and has been productive both for a good team, and a bad team.

His only apparent down side is that he is 31.

If he's viewed as better than what we have, then he fits...

LOL??? Any "body" that can actually catch a pass would be an improvement. Oh, that's right, I forgot. We have all we need at the WR position. Sorry.

He has 383 career catches for 4,971 yards and 43 touchdowns, a 13.0 ypc average. A very durable receiver, may be a good to check out heading into training camp.

Who is he better than? None of our top four guys (Bowe, Hartline, Hawkins, and Gabriel). That leaves Benjamin, who is younger and [hopefully] return skills.

Why is it shocking? He was making a ton of money and played like crap.

I wouldn't be surprised if Oakland ends up with rookies as their #1 and #3 receivers this year.

He was the leading receiver on the team ( catches.. not yards). Obviously no one thinks the Raiders' 2014 leading receiver could help the Browns receiving corps, which is what I wanted to know...

Knowing about Rob Housler only what has been talked about on these forums, my impression was that he was brought in to be the pass catching TE.

No thanks, I'll pass.

I wish there was a way we could work a trade with the jets for Wilkerson who is unhappy there

Didn't Flip come from the Raiders?

James Jones wouldn't be a terrible pickup, but I don't know what role he fills or who he replaces. He'll probably want too much money to come to Cleveland anyway. My guess is he ends up somewhere like Kansas City. They might be one of the few teams that are as WR needy as we are.

yes, so if we think he can help us at all he'll be here ... he wouldn't cost us the valuable supplementary picks, wouldn't break the bank, and he'd view it as a spot to play a lot

if he signed here:

Dwayne Bowe
James Jones
Brian Hartline
Andrew Hawkins
Vince Mayle
Taylor Gabriel


Benji is the odd man out (but I'd assume Duke/Gaines/Gilbert would be our returner)

Not a huge upgrade IMO. For short contract and reasonable money, OK. May need more wideouts to keep this many QBs busy . .. . Not a priority pickup for me.

I wonder if he regrets chasing the money and leaving green bay??

Flip should have a good read on the guy, so I wouldn't be too surprised if he is brought in. And if we pass on him, probably on Flips recommendation as well....

Chasing the money is almost always the right choice in the NFL.

I'd say you're correct in like 95% of the circumstances, but chasing the money may not be the best career move for a WR who plays for a team with a HOF QB.

If Jones would have stayed with GB he'd continue putting up huge stats for the next 3-4 years (albeit for making less money) ... then he'd still have a shot at a big contract

I also understand the injury risk involved however

I don't really care about this subject, but he was never going to more than a 3rd receiver on the Packers.