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Machota: With 'Senator' Byron Jones, Cowboys drafted more than just a workout warrior
By JON MACHOTA Follow @JonMachota jmachota@dallasnews.com
Staff Writer
Published: 23 May 2015 07:22 PM
Updated: 23 May 2015 11:37 PM
La’el Collins and Randy Gregory have received the majority of attention when it comes to this year’s Cowboys rookie class. First-round pick Byron Jones has quietly taken a back seat.
While some might feel slighted in a similar situation, Jones is just fine outside of the spotlight.
“I’m going to perform my best regardless if I’m the last guy picked, the first guy picked, free agent or tryout guy,” Jones said. “I’m going to give it all I got; that’s all I know how to do.”
Reading a politically correct response like that from Jones wouldn’t surprise his college teammates. At the University of Connecticut, he earned the nickname Senator Jones.
“If football doesn’t work out for Byron, which that doesn’t look like it’s going to be a problem, Byron will be the president of the United States, one day,” former UConn teammate Max DeLorenzo said.
A bold statement, but one that makes some sense when you research Jones’ background. During the summer of 2013, the cornerback’s time away from football was spent on a pair of internships.
His first was in Connecticut with State House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz. The second was with U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty in Washington.
“Within two days of being here, he was assisting in a negotiation of a foreclosure mediation bill,” Aresimowicz said. “In a room with the banking commissioner, lobbyists, advocates and attorneys and Byron is offering ideas on foreclosure mediation.
“It was pretty amazing. He’s just a truly special individual. I’m happy he doesn’t live in my district because if he wanted my seat, he would be able to take it in a second.”
The Cowboys are hoping that before Jones gets back into politics, he spends a long career taking passes away from opposing wide receivers.
In need of long press cornerbacks to defend today’s bigger receivers, the Cowboys were thrilled to land Jones with the 27th overall pick. Although he recorded only eight interceptions and deflected 18 passes during his four years at UConn, Jones’ impressive performance at the scouting combine turned him into a likely first-round pick.
Jones set a world record with a 12-foot, 3-inch broad jump to go with a 441/2-inch vertical jump. But that also led to criticism that he was only a workout warrior.
“This is not a workout warrior that we drafted,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “We drafted a football player who we really think plays the right way and has a chance to develop at a couple of different spots for us.”
Jones played safety his first two seasons in college before moving to cornerback for his junior and senior years. The Cowboys are starting him at corner but believe he can play either position if needed.
Cowboys safety J.J. Wilcox worked out with Jones in Pensacola, Fla., leading up to the draft.
“I loved working with him,” Wilcox said. “He actually stayed out there longer than I did [catching passes] on the Jugs machine, so I knew he was going to be a great player. It was a great pickup for us. I’m glad he’s on my team.”
Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr also has come away impressed from his short time with the rookie.
“He’s a sponge,” Carr said. “He’s exactly what you want in a young guy. He’s ready to learn. He comes to work every day and has a chip on his shoulder.”
Anthony Poindexter spent three years in the NFL playing safety for the Ravens and Browns. Last season was his first as UConn defensive coordinator. In his short time with Jones, Poindexter saw a player comparable to Ras-I Dowling and Chris Cook, defensive backs he coached at Virginia who went on to become second-round draft picks.
“All of his tools fit that league,” Poindexter said. “He’s athletic, fast. His game is more compatible in some aspects to the NFL more than the college game. You can’t use your hands as much in the league — no contact after 5 yards — so with his athleticism and speed and change of direction, he’ll be able to stick with a lot of receivers.
“The kid is 6 foot, 195 pounds and can run like he can run. I mean, he’s just a no-brainer, really.”
By JON MACHOTA Follow @JonMachota jmachota@dallasnews.com
Staff Writer
Published: 23 May 2015 07:22 PM
Updated: 23 May 2015 11:37 PM
La’el Collins and Randy Gregory have received the majority of attention when it comes to this year’s Cowboys rookie class. First-round pick Byron Jones has quietly taken a back seat.
While some might feel slighted in a similar situation, Jones is just fine outside of the spotlight.
“I’m going to perform my best regardless if I’m the last guy picked, the first guy picked, free agent or tryout guy,” Jones said. “I’m going to give it all I got; that’s all I know how to do.”
Reading a politically correct response like that from Jones wouldn’t surprise his college teammates. At the University of Connecticut, he earned the nickname Senator Jones.
“If football doesn’t work out for Byron, which that doesn’t look like it’s going to be a problem, Byron will be the president of the United States, one day,” former UConn teammate Max DeLorenzo said.
A bold statement, but one that makes some sense when you research Jones’ background. During the summer of 2013, the cornerback’s time away from football was spent on a pair of internships.
His first was in Connecticut with State House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz. The second was with U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty in Washington.
“Within two days of being here, he was assisting in a negotiation of a foreclosure mediation bill,” Aresimowicz said. “In a room with the banking commissioner, lobbyists, advocates and attorneys and Byron is offering ideas on foreclosure mediation.
“It was pretty amazing. He’s just a truly special individual. I’m happy he doesn’t live in my district because if he wanted my seat, he would be able to take it in a second.”
The Cowboys are hoping that before Jones gets back into politics, he spends a long career taking passes away from opposing wide receivers.
In need of long press cornerbacks to defend today’s bigger receivers, the Cowboys were thrilled to land Jones with the 27th overall pick. Although he recorded only eight interceptions and deflected 18 passes during his four years at UConn, Jones’ impressive performance at the scouting combine turned him into a likely first-round pick.
Jones set a world record with a 12-foot, 3-inch broad jump to go with a 441/2-inch vertical jump. But that also led to criticism that he was only a workout warrior.
“This is not a workout warrior that we drafted,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “We drafted a football player who we really think plays the right way and has a chance to develop at a couple of different spots for us.”
Jones played safety his first two seasons in college before moving to cornerback for his junior and senior years. The Cowboys are starting him at corner but believe he can play either position if needed.
Cowboys safety J.J. Wilcox worked out with Jones in Pensacola, Fla., leading up to the draft.
“I loved working with him,” Wilcox said. “He actually stayed out there longer than I did [catching passes] on the Jugs machine, so I knew he was going to be a great player. It was a great pickup for us. I’m glad he’s on my team.”
Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr also has come away impressed from his short time with the rookie.
“He’s a sponge,” Carr said. “He’s exactly what you want in a young guy. He’s ready to learn. He comes to work every day and has a chip on his shoulder.”
Anthony Poindexter spent three years in the NFL playing safety for the Ravens and Browns. Last season was his first as UConn defensive coordinator. In his short time with Jones, Poindexter saw a player comparable to Ras-I Dowling and Chris Cook, defensive backs he coached at Virginia who went on to become second-round draft picks.
“All of his tools fit that league,” Poindexter said. “He’s athletic, fast. His game is more compatible in some aspects to the NFL more than the college game. You can’t use your hands as much in the league — no contact after 5 yards — so with his athleticism and speed and change of direction, he’ll be able to stick with a lot of receivers.
“The kid is 6 foot, 195 pounds and can run like he can run. I mean, he’s just a no-brainer, really.”
