Free agency and trades in the NFL were meant to take talent from good teams to help bad teams get better faster. That trend might hold true if the Jacksonville Jaguars can tempt James Jones away from the Green Bay Packers.
Fewer passes from Aaron Rodgers has Jones seeking greener pastures
Very few teams will feel sorry for the Green Bay Packers when they have problems with their wide receivers. Stats alone show the team has three if not four talents good enough to become a number one wide receiver on other teams. It took a large pay cut just to bring back veteran Donald Driver. MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers loves having that many toys but he can't play with them all equally. That doesn't work in football. The best receivers catch the most passes. James Jones has flashed big play ability for year but his bad fumbling and drop problems have made him a backup option for Rodgers. It's frustrating for the receiver who knows he has the skill but just needs more chances. It's why he has stayed linked to trade rumors for months. Keeping him might prove too expensive in the long run. The question is which teams will give Jones the title of number one?
Justin Blackmon and Blaine Gabbert could both benefit from Jones
Jones doesn't just bring talent to a team. He also knows what it takes to win in the regular season and the playoffs. The Jacksonville Jaguars have done little of both for years. It was why they drafted quarterback Blaine Gabbert in 2011 and then wide receiver Justin Blackmon last April. Optimistic fans think the new teammates might surprise some people, at least in fantasy leagues. The hard truth though is Jacksonville has a new coach, a new owner and two raw kids expected to lead them to a winning season. That is where the Jones rumors get louder. The Jaguars have a long history of wide receiver problems and their offense last season showed that in blinding clarity. Since they have a full amount of draft picks and Green Bay prefers building their roster through the draft it makes sense for the two sides to discuss a deal. The Packers get something back for Jones who goes to a team where he is easily the most polished receiver. That and his veteran experience could help Gabbert and Blackmon in so many ways.
While no lines stand drawn yet, the Green Bay Packers can't keep James Jones quiet forever. If they want to avoid the media blitz to come they will likely move into trade talks faster. Aaron Rodgers might not like it but the Jacksonville Jaguars have every reason to. If not for Justin Blackmon or Blaine Gabbert, then at least to get the fans interested again.
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