Argos select Brian Jones

[jerrym]

Argos pick receiver Brian Jones.

[jerrym]

Here is a video of Brian Jones blocking. His size makes him an asset in more than one way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsDd-TT4khs

[Will]

Use this thread to discuss the drafting of Acadia's Brian Jones.

[ArgoRavi]

Use this thread to discuss the drafting of Acadia's Brian Jones.

OV will be thrilled! I wonder if the Argos are either closer to signing McEwen or close to trading him. I was certainly not expecting them to draft a receiver with their first pick but Jones sounds like a blue-chip prospect.

[jerrym]

Below is a video of Brian Jones catching the ball.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...AF8F&FORM=VIRE (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=2016+CFL+draft+Brian+Jones&view=detail&mid=6EAC9C000A43A69EAF8F6EAC9C000A43A69EAF8F&FORM=VIRE)

[jerrym]

TSN draft commentators suggested Brian Jones could be the best blocking receiver since Jason Clermont. After watching his blocking video (#2 above), I certainly see the similarity.

[OV Argo]

Might be a great versatile pick in the way that Coombs - who can play tailback plus slot receiver - was; Jones is a natural, accomplished pass catching slotback, but also a big physical athlete who could maybe play H-back too. Be interesting to see where he lines up in TC. Some of us have been calling for the Argos to get a big, physical type receiver - and Jones is in the mold of Clermont or Elggard (ony bigger & faster). However - there was no attempt to play such a style receiver in the 5 pack last year - the new "big 3" were all decent size receivers, but the biggest one, Gurley, was playing wide-out. Jones might have to apprentice / back-up awhile if the thinking is 4 of the receiver spots are reserved for imports with Canadians only getting a chance to play the hybird slot job (Durie.Coombs); hope Jones gets a real shot to show what he can do in his natural slot position - no learning needed about the waggle or Canadian rules & style of play.

[marcwagz]

Hmm was expecting ol but i see all other teams took ol pretty much before the argos
Will be interesting to see if any play is given to him on the cfl field thus year.

[Rich]

I love this pick, this guy is a specimen, great hands, 6'4 230, they compare him to Clermont or Fantuz but he looks faster than both of them. Punishing blocker could line up at slot or H-Back. I think he can contribute right from the start. I can't wait to see him catch one in traffic over the middle. We haven't had a jumbo Canadian receiver since the great Rob Crifo graced the Skydome carpet.

I think it was a great draft. The two OL futures have huge upsides, and it tells us that Barker is sure McEwen's coming on board. Declan Cross looks like an upgrade on Gillanders. I love the emphasis on offence, this offence is gonna have all kinds of weapons this year, even the role-playing guys will be dangerous.

[PullTogether73]

Hmm was expecting ol but i see all other teams took ol pretty much before the argos
Will be interesting to see if any play is given to him on the cfl field thus year.

From the lack of comments about it, I was beginning to think that I was the only one surprised by this pick. When thinking of Argonaut draft needs, WR doesn't come to mind. I expected an O-lineman as well.


We haven't had a jumbo Canadian receiver since the great Rob Crifo graced the Skydome carpet.

Rob Crifo!
That name brings back memories.
I played right guard next to him at centre in his first year at Neil McNeil High School (in The Beach of course).
Good guy.

[Reggiemac]

I think that he and devon Wylie are going to be best friends and I can see lots of Wylie TDs coming from the flat with Jones blocking.

[R.J]

<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;Everything he brings to the table is exactly what we're looking for.&quot;<br><br>Brian Jones a perfect fit for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Argos?src=hash">#Argos</a><a href="https://t.co/fdO0BNy9WC">https://t.co/fdO0BNy9WC</a></p>&mdash; Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) <a href="https://twitter.com/TorontoArgos/status/730474232103108608">May 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

http://www.cfl.ca/2016/05/10/brian-jones-im-ready-to-bring-everything-i-can-to-toronto-2/
http://www.kingscountynews.ca/Sports/Football/2015-09-08/article-4268169/Living-the-Dream:-&lsquo%3BI-like-to-catch-the-ball-and-help-the-team-win,&rsquo%3B-says-football-MVP-Jones/1



I think that he and Devon Wylie are going to be best friends and I can see lots of Wylie TDs coming from the flat with Jones blocking.
Absolutely. I for one am looking forward to seeing these two on the field.

[jerrym]

Barker feels Jones could make a significant impact immediately for the Argos.



Jim Barker is expecting an immediate return from first-round pick Brian Jones.
The Toronto Argonauts selected the Acadia receiver fourth overall in the CFL draft Tuesday night. Barker took Jones knowing he's recovering from a broken bone in his wrist but added club doctors figure Jones should be ready for the start of rookie camp later this month.

"Our doctors saw the X-ray and their evaluation is it would be a two-week thing, which is when we start training camp so we're not expecting it to be an issue," Barker said during a conference call Wednesday. "We're not going to put the guy's career in jeopardy or anything like that.
"We'll wait and make sure it's good. We're in the process of doing more tests on it. It's not something that affected his standing."
The six-foot-four, 233-pound Jones, a native Nova Scotian, had 45 catches for 630 yards and four TDs last season. Barker said while Jones will be given time to learn the pro game, he'll be counted upon to contribute immediately on special teams.
Argos special-teams co-ordinator Kelly Jeffrey is very familiar with Jones after coaching at Mount Allison University (2008-15) before coming to Toronto.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/argos-gm-feels-draftee-brian-jones-will-give-cfl-club-vastly-different-look-379036701.html

[jerrym]

Barker speaking on the Brian Jones selection.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;We felt this was the best way to go. It was a unanimous decision across our staff.&quot; - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Argos?src=hash">#Argos</a> GM Jim Barker on selecting Jones 4th overall</p>&mdash; Toronto Argonauts PR (@Argonauts_PR) <a href="https://twitter.com/Argonauts_PR/status/730513866199842816">May 11, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><iframe id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden; display: none; width: 0px; height: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none;"></iframe><iframe id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden; display: none; width: 0px; height: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none;"></iframe><iframe id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden; display: none; width: 0px; height: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none;"></iframe>

[jerrym]

Barker has more comments on Brian Jones below.



This year it’s Jones, whom Barker feels has the potential to eventually move from the slot to wideout. He has all the tools and character any team covets and his physical presence — 6-foot-4, 230 pounds — also makes him an ideal candidate to play on all special teams. ...
“He (Jones) is the closest I’ve seen come out since Clermont and the things he did,’’ added Barker. “He’s physical, just the way he attacks the game.”
Barker also pointed out that Jones catches the ball with his hands, not his body, a lost art among many of today’s young receivers.
“He’s a fantastic young man from back East,’’ said the GM. “He’s not going to come and then we’ll lose him in a couple of years. We have a chance to keep him around for a long time.” ...
Jones doesn’t have the speed of a Paul Masotti, an all-time great who is an even better person, but the two are Acadia products. Even if Jones has half the career that Masotti had, the Argos have themselves a gem.

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/05/12/argos-top-pick-is-versatile-and-physical