TJ NFL Draft Thread

[Screamin_Eagle174]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d81f33317/article/ingram-might-be-only-hope-for-rb-to-be-taken-in-first-round?module=HP_cp2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Small-school prospect with a chance
I interviewed Eastern Washington's Taiwan Jones and he has a chance to be a solid back. He was preparing for a number of NFL team visits and his pro day on April 14. His personal workout was postponed because of foot surgery, but he told me he expects to run 4.3 or maybe even 4.2 in the 40. Health is a big question, but production isn't an issue. He had 100-plus yards rushing in nine games last season and averaged more than eight yards a carry on five occasions.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Eastern Washington RB Taiwan Jones was questioned why he would come out early despite having back to back All-America seasons while only playing running back for two seasons. He might have quieted all the skeptics today at his private workout.

According to sources, Jones measured in at 6'0, 196 pounds, and ran in the 4.25-4.37 in the 40-yard dash. He had a 41 1/2 inch vertical but they said he shuffled so they only gave him 39 1/2. He also had a 11'0 broad jump, 4.05 short shuttle, and 6.6 3-cone.

27 NFL teams attended the workout. Mid-late round picks don't attract 27 teams by themselves. It would shock us if he lasts to the 4th round or even to the late third at this point.

http://www.jbscouting.com/index.php/blog/1688-tj-private-workout" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Taiwan-Jones-runs-a-VERY-fast-40-yard-dash?urn=nfl-wp955" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

About 50 NFL scouts, coaches, and executives (including 18 running backs coaches) were at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, California to watch one private workout. And if you don't follow FCS football closely, you may not even know the name of the player they came to watch.

Eastern Washington running back Taiwan Jones, the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year, finally got to run the 40-yard dash everyone had been expecting and hoping to see. Jones suffered a broken foot late in the 2010 season, which kept him out of the FCS Championship game (which EWU still won without him) and workouts at the scouting combine. However, those in the scouting community were well-aware of Jones' raw speed, and knew that when fully healed, he could put up numbers in the range of those established by current Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (4.24 at the combine) and Kansas City Chiefs back Jamaal Charles(notes) (4.28).

After serious work and rehab at Athletes Performance in Carson, California (a bit of which we caught on tape recently), Jones flew up to the Bay Area and put on a major show in front of what San Francisco 49ers running backs coach Tom Rathman told one observer was the biggest NFL attendance for a private workout he had ever seen. API's Travelle Gaines told Yahoo! Sports that Jones ran one 40 and times in the range of 4.27 to 4.35 on all stopwatches. We'll get the official times later today and pass them along (as well as an interview with Mr. Jones), but this could really push Jones up quite a few draft boards. Currently seen as a third- to fifth-round prospect, Jones may jump up a bit higher based on today.

Jones also put up a 39.5-inch vertical leap (which would have been third among running backs at the combine), and an 11-foot broad jump, which would have been second overall at the combine behind Alabama receiver Julio Jones, who was universally acknowledged as the star of the 2011 event.

In 31 games for the Eagles, Jones carried the ball 383 times for 2,955 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also caught 64 passes for 903 yards and seven touchdowns, and took 50 kick returns for 1,134 yards and one touchdown.

 

[EWUeag]

Too bad about his vert...I bet it really is at least 40".

 

[clawman1]

Lots of interesting reading and it seems Taiwan is getting a lot more respect than earlier.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/660051-nfl-draft-2011-latest-dallas-cowboys-rumors-news-and-speculation/entry/63594-nfl-draft-2011-dallas-cowboys-monitor-eastern-washingtons-taiwan-jones" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/04/14/qa-with-eastern-washington-rb-taiwan-jones" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_17839123" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/666117-2011-nfl-draft-10-propsects-that-could-bring-some-much-needed-speed-to-miami/page/6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[EWURanger]

Here's some more articles...

http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/2/9/1984504/2011-nfl-mock-draft-taiwan-jones-draft-stock-rob-rang" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/666214-2011-nfl-draft-taiwan-jones-would-be-perfect-complement-to-steven-jackson" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"His representative stated after the performance that Jones is only about 90 percent. If he was being straightforward, and Jones does have a little left in his tank, Chris Johnson has some competition."

http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2011/3/29/2079948/thinking-about-taiwan-jones-and-the-rams" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2011/4/15/2112679/rb-taiwan-jones-chiefs-raiders" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Red Dawn]

Many have hinted Jones will be a second round pick. I have seen a couple articles that have him going in the 1st, will see if I can find.

 

[clawman1]

Does being in 2nd round vs the 3rd round or late first round vs high 2nd round command a better contract in and of itself?

 

[EWURanger]

Here is the video of the SportsCenter piece on Jones.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6361279" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Does being in 2nd round vs the 3rd round or late first round vs high 2nd round command a better contract in and of itself?

It appears so.

The hope, of course, was that it would pay off. Handsomely. With Jones considered a likely second- to fourth-round pick, it's no exaggeration to say millions of dollars were potentially on the line Thursday. The first pick in the second round of last year's draft, for example, signed a four-year, $6.3 million contract. The first pick of the fourth round signed a four-year, $2.34 million deal.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110414/SPORTS/110419678?p=1&tc=pg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[clawman1]

Does being in 2nd round vs the 3rd round or late first round vs high 2nd round command a better contract in and of itself?

It appears so.

The hope, of course, was that it would pay off. Handsomely. With Jones considered a likely second- to fourth-round pick, it's no exaggeration to say millions of dollars were potentially on the line Thursday. The first pick in the second round of last year's draft, for example, signed a four-year, $6.3 million contract. The first pick of the fourth round signed a four-year, $2.34 million deal.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110414/SPORTS/110419678?p=1&tc=pg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:lol: Gotta LOVE it!! Thanks SE 174

 

[clawman1]

Whats next??
I've read of some potential draftees being invited a teams headquarters for an interview. Is that what's next for Taiwan? Anyone heard of any of these invites?

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Whats next??
I've read of some potential draftees being invited a teams headquarters for an interview. Is that what's next for Taiwan? Anyone heard of any of these invites?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=nfp-20110406_rb_taiwan_jones_in_demand_to_visit_dolphins_has_met_with_eagles" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Eastern Washington junior running back Taiwan Jones has met with the Philadelphia Eagles and has meetings with the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.

Jones is scheduled to visit the Dolphins, but the majority of his meetings have been conducted on the West Coast. The Carolina Panthers are another team Jones is likely to meet with.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d81f4d1d2/article/raiders-dolphins-plan-visits-with-rising-rb-prospect-jones" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Eastern Washington running back Taiwan Jones will visit with the Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins this week, a source with knowledge of the situation said Sunday.

Jones already has met with the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals and had a meeting planned with the San Francisco 49ers

That second link is from the front page of NFL.com :nod:

 

[bpcats1]

While obviously there is a significant pay drop as the you get drafted later, the bigger issue is the length of contract that the team can sign you to. I believe there is a cutoff between after the 3rd round that allows teams to signed drafted players to longer contracts by a year or two. The higher your drafted the faster you can become a free agent and go after the big money.

I may have that thinking in reverse. With the amount of buzz that TJ is generating I don't think he will get out of the 3rd round without being drafted.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

While obviously there is a significant pay drop as the you get drafted later, the bigger issue is the length of contract that the team can sign you to. I believe there is a cutoff between after the 3rd round that allows teams to signed drafted players to longer contracts by a year or two. The higher your drafted the faster you can become a free agent and go after the big money.

I may have that thinking in reverse. With the amount of buzz that TJ is generating I don't think he will get out of the 3rd round without being drafted.

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info bp. You always provide great insight for not only MSU football, but other teams around the Sky as well. Keep up the good work. :thumb:

 

[EWURanger]

While obviously there is a significant pay drop as the you get drafted later, the bigger issue is the length of contract that the team can sign you to. I believe there is a cutoff between after the 3rd round that allows teams to signed drafted players to longer contracts by a year or two. The higher your drafted the faster you can become a free agent and go after the big money.

I may have that thinking in reverse. With the amount of buzz that TJ is generating I don't think he will get out of the 3rd round without being drafted.

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info bp. You always provide great insight for not only MSU football, but other teams around the Sky as well. Keep up the good work. :thumb:

+1

BP always provides great insight and is one knowledgeable Cat fan! I enjoy seeing the perspective of other teams fans on our site.

 

[eaglesfootball]

so what is the deal with one of his elbows not being able to extend his arm fully? Is this something to do with an injury from college or something hes always dealt with?

 

[clawman1]

Whats next??
I've read of some potential draftees being invited a teams headquarters for an interview. Is that what's next for Taiwan? Anyone heard of any of these invites?

Apparently he does have some meetings with interested teams.
http://www.cardinalsgab.com/2011/04/18/eastern-washington-rb-taiwan-jones-in-demand-to-visit-cardinals/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[clawman1]

http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/article-1/Big-time-production/721e6693-ba93-4287-9f33-688e8c573ab8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/article-1/Big-time-production/721e6693-ba93-4287-9f33-688e8c573ab8

Love it. Great to see the Hawks have their eye on him. :nod: