Detroit Lions Draft Busts Since 2001, No. 5: Kevin Jones
by Sean Yuille on Apr 11, 2011 11:45 PM EDT
in Detroit Lions Opinion
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PrintWe've reached the top five in the countdown of the biggest Detroit Lions draft busts since 2001. At this point you probably have a pretty good idea about which players will end up being placed in the top five. In case you don't, the full top five will be counted down over the course of this week, and the countdown begins with running back Kevin Jones.
Selected 30th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft, Jones being picked made it seem like Matt Millen may have actually put together a good first round for a change. Adding Jones to go along with Roy Williams, especially after trading down a spot for Williams and up a few spots for Jones, seemed smart. I stress the word seemed, because Jones never lived up to being a first-round pick.
Following a good rookie season, which saw Jones rush for 1,133 yards, his single-season totals never came close to threatening 1,000 yards, largely because of injury issues. He rushed for only 664 yards and 689 yards in his second and third seasons, and in 2007 he had only 581 yards. Over this time his touchdown numbers actually improved, and his yards per carry number stayed constant at 3.8 in 2006 and 2007. His overall production was just not there, however, and 2007 turned out to be his last year in Detroit. After being released by the Lions he joined the Bears, but that lasted for only one season. Now he, like many former Millen draft picks, is playing in the UFL.
Previously: No. 10 - Daniel Bullocks, No. 9 - Drew Stanton, No. 8 Ikaika Alama-Francis, No. 7 Boss Bailey, No. 6 Shaun Cody
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this one hurt
I really liked Jones
"In a perfect world, you look for the big, fast guys who can play" Jim Schwartz
One word sums up Jones career sadly
INJURY to bad too because he really had some talent I think. No question he belongs on this list though.
"Show me someone with an offseason and I'll show you someone in last place"- Ndamukong Suh ( All Pro, Pro Bowl, Pepsi Rookie of the year, AP defensive rookie of the year, Sporting news rookie of the year)
PCP 4 LIFE
yup.
he was a baller when healthy, though…
Life is being on the wire, everything else is just waiting.
by I'mOpen,Matt!! on Apr 12, 2011 12:08 AM EDT reply actions
I don't think he deserves to be quite this high
He had the talent, just injury took him out, guys like Boss are worse to me.
RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.
Thats my mans and them...
I still got my KJ jerseys… one black Lions jersey, another VTech jersey, signed.
Too bad though, he was a beast when healthy
'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela
"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011
I liked Jones a lot too.
But first round picks that don’t work have to be your biggest busts. Just sayin’
I agree with you guys, this guy really looked like he was going to be special.
Even after the injuries, he gave everything he had and then some. I will never forget one goal line sequence against the Ravens at home in 2005, where he drove himself into the teeth of that great run defence and took multiple brutal hits over a number of carries [at least three I think] before finally scoring. He only gained 58 yards in 26 carries, but I really felt like his example set the tone for the whole team as the Lions won that game 35 to 17.
I am really sad to see him in this list. Life is not fair.
"I read one article, I said, 'This guy doesn't know what he's talking about,' " Mayhew said. "Then I read another one, and I thought, 'Wait a minute, they're all saying the same thing.' -Martin Mayhew 2011 regarding Draft Gurus.
Wasn't that the game he trucked Ray Lewis?
how many RBs can say they did that?
"The right (draft) move sometimes might be to strengthen a strength. Filling holes in the 1st round leads to grabs and busts." - Steve_Chiefs.
Oh man, that was sick
I remember watching the game, and hearing the crowd go WILD when he did
'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela
"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011
my memory is kinda fuzzy for some odd reason
but didn’t he do it twice in that game?
"The right (draft) move sometimes might be to strengthen a strength. Filling holes in the 1st round leads to grabs and busts." - Steve_Chiefs.
Yes, that was one sweet hit.
"I read one article, I said, 'This guy doesn't know what he's talking about,' " Mayhew said. "Then I read another one, and I thought, 'Wait a minute, they're all saying the same thing.' -Martin Mayhew 2011 regarding Draft Gurus.
This one sucks.
As a big Hokie fan, I was ecstatic when we got KJ. Too bad injuries never even gave him a chance.
+1000
Go Tech!
'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela
"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011
He looked great his rookie season.
Poor guy. Sucked when he got injured.
by Home in Cleveland, Heart in Detroit on Apr 12, 2011 9:12 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I swear
he even seemed to get injured every game on Madden too. It hurt.
It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.
"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011
Chicken or the Egg
Was he a bust because he was a Millen pick? or was he a Millen pick because he was going to bust?…. Anyway, I was always a fan of his and always thought he was going to get healthy and tear it up again, unfortunately he was allergic to the injury bug and the injury bug liked hanging out with him. I remember in my fantasy draft going into his 2nd year drafting him really high because I expected better than his rookie year.. That was a bad fantasy year for me.
Detroit Lions = Super Bowl Champs in 2013... Only thing that could top it is a possible world appocalypse the year before
I dont think Jones qualifies as a Top 5 guy..
Maybe Top 10 but out of all the rookies he put together one of best rookie seasons not only for a RB but for any rookie to wear a Lions jersey in the last 20 years (seriously, last 20 years).
Not to mention, he had a sky high better rookie performance than a lot RBs that people really love(d), Kevin Smith and Jahvid Best.
Deeeeeee-pressing Basketball!
by DBB Diablo on Apr 12, 2011 11:55 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Eh.
Best and Jones both had six rookie TDs. Jones wound up rushing for a bit more all purpose yardage, but “sky high better” is overstating it.
by Mavyrk on Apr 12, 2011 12:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
No my estimation is on par.
You are only looking at one column when comparing the two and maybe reminiscing on the only highlights he had during the season in week 2. And 578 yards rushing is not just a “bit more”, if you figure on average you rush for 100 yards a game than that would be almost 6 games worth of yardage. Not to mention the large bulk of Jones’ rushing yardage came from the last 8 games of the season, still rushed for over 1000 yards and if I remember correctly he too was battling injuries at the beginning of the season. As an overall body of work his numbers and performance dwarf what Best had to offer this past season.
Deeeeeee-pressing Basketball!
no, they're used completely differently
comparing AP yardage, jones had about 150 more AP yards on quite a few more touches. just looking at rushing statistics isnt fair to what best brings to the team.
So at best you are saying Best is nothing more than a catch-out-the-backfield RB?
That’s good, I’m glad we drafted the next Danny Woodhead.
Deeeeeee-pressing Basketball!
dont put words into my mouth
try the next faulk, best case scenario.
try the next faulk, best case scenario.
Lol.
I think you are missing my point, he hasn’t proven he can run on ground yet.
Deeeeeee-pressing Basketball!
you're obviously missing my point
throw out the turf toes, he did well on the ground, but hes a lot more than just a runner. the word is dynamic, something kevin never was.
And there is a reason he didn't get as many touches.
When you can’t run the football inside or outside and only average 3.2 yards a carry, then yes, you will have a limited amount of carries. This is especially the case when you have the 3rd string back out performing you on the ground.
Deeeeeee-pressing Basketball!
Yes, all the stats are bullshit..
the only thing that matters is that he is the next Marshall Faulk without any evidence of him being an effective all-around back.
You must be one of those guys that paid $80-90 on Jahvid Best jersey so you feel you have something invested into him and will defend him at all cost without being objective.
Deeeeeee-pressing Basketball!
over 1000 AP yards split somewhat evenly between ground and air, slightly favoring the ground
thats pretty good. during marshalls best years in STL, he had a similar split. i figured he might end up being an 800/800 guy, but after that year, yeah, best case, he could be faulk.
dont cite stats when you obviously are unable to comprehend them.
dont cite stats when you obviously are unable to comprehend them.
That’s funny because you have yet to comprehend any thing I’ve put up and have called it “horse shit”. All it takes is a little bit of math skill and you can break it down the same way I did.
But to say he will be 800/800 yard guy is really stretching it, I can buy 800 yards through the air but you have yet to address his inability to run the ball. And for being a first round pick he better be better than a 800/800 back and be more of a 1000/600 back. If he can’t be 1000/600 back we will need to get a primary back and he could be the next name on this bust list.
Deeeeeee-pressing Basketball!
yeah 250 more yards on the ground is unthinkable
for a sophomore back with healthy feet. im done feeding the troll.
If he is able to rush for 800 yards at 3.2 yards a carry I think it’s time to look for a new back.
I find it funny that you call me a troll but I’m more knowledgeable about the Lions and football than you, well at least what you have shown thus far.
Deeeeeee-pressing Basketball!
Tough to compare the two
the fact that kevin jones had such a better rookie season is interesting. What I remember from this era is that they ran kevin jones and only kevin jones. fThey didn’t run by committee because their was no one behind kevin jones. This was typical of the millen era, run one guy into the ground while making yourself look good. Kevin jones was the workhorse that gets sold for glue. We should all be happy that their are coaches in Detroit that prefer to bring a rookie RB in slowly and utilize the depth in their running backs. I see good things for Jahvi in the future, I can see him being a Brian Westbrook, Warrick Dunn, or Clinton portis
by Admiral Ackbar on Apr 12, 2011 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Tough to compare the two
the fact that kevin jones had such a better rookie season is interesting. What I remember from this era is that they ran kevin jones and only kevin jones. fThey didn’t run by committee because their was no one behind kevin jones. This was typical of the millen era, run one guy into the ground while making yourself look good. Kevin jones was the workhorse that gets sold for glue. We should all be happy that their are coaches in Detroit that prefer to bring a rookie RB in slowly and utilize the depth in their running backs. I see good things for Jahvi in the future, I can see him being a Brian Westbrook, Warrick Dunn, or Clinton portis
by Admiral Ackbar on Apr 12, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think you can use "the run him into the ground" card.
He played in 15 games and only carried the ball 241 during the whole season, which means he had a dismal 16 carries a game. If you want to count only the last 8 games he played (where most of his production was made) he carried the ball 172 times with a little less than average 21 times a game. The numbers he put up in the limited amount action he had is simply remarkable and I repeat, he had one of the best rookie performances for the Lions in the last 20 years.
And no rookie RB or RB in general for the Lions has put together a better season than him since Barry Sanders or even James Stewart Which is just crazy when you think about it.
Btw, he shared some of the rushing load with Artose Pinner and Shawn Bryson.
Deeeeeee-pressing Basketball!
well
I think running him into the ground would be the goal line stance that the ravens did where they ran the ball 4 consecutive times…. and then doing that in other games. running into the ground makes you injured…. or at least ineffective
by yamahawarrior89 on Apr 12, 2011 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Just my thought, take it or leave it.
But comparing Jones and Best right now is not really fair. You’re comparing Best’s one season in which he played injured to Jones 4 years in Detroit. Okay, Jones had the better rookie season, but you need a larger sample to compare to. Give Best 2 more years then you can really compare Best and Jones. Hopefully by then Best is a pro bowler.
LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! GO STEFAN LOGAN!
If you are referring to my comparisons
It’s fair on the basis that I AM only comparing Jones’ one rookie season to Best’s one rookie season. I haven’t mentioned anything about Jones’ other seasons as a Lion or a Bear. The only strong argument you have is that Best was technically hurt throughout the majority of the season but in my argument for Jones is that he was hurt for half the season and made up a large bulk of his production in only 8 games, which holds a lot of weight.
Deeeeeee-pressing Basketball!
Simmer down now
You seem to be attacking everyone who has a differing opinion than you…
So your comparing their rookie seasons, yes Jones had a better rookie season. But Best WAS injured, so is it dumb to think he could be great? Absolutely not, he could turn out to be like Marshall Faulk potentially, he also could potentially be limited by injuries the rest of his career.. The thing is, we don’t know what’s going to happen so there’s no need to bash what someone else thinks could happen as much as you have.
Detroit Lions = Super Bowl Champs in 2013... Only thing that could top it is a possible world appocalypse the year before
by Kabideeyeeha on Apr 12, 2011 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn't attack anyone..
I’m just trying to understand why people think Best had a better rookie season. Kevin Jones was injured as well, I’m not sure why you and others bring up Best being injured like it holds a lot weight.
And I am not denying that Best could turn into something special but as of right now he is a more upgraded Danny Woodhead. Because he hasn’t proved he can run the ball out of the backfield.
Deeeeeee-pressing Basketball!
They both had nice rookie campaigns, just used differently.
Jones was more of an all-purpose back and did have a great rookie year. Best performed well running to the outside and catching passes out of the backfield. Both battled injuries. All-purpose yards were close between the two. Its like saying Jones has a 9 1/2" pen¥s and Best has a 9 1/4" p$nis. Guess what: they are both hung more than most. Unfortunately, Jones couldn’t remain healthy. Time will tell with Best.
by Home in Cleveland, Heart in Detroit on Apr 12, 2011 11:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I never claimed
Best had a better rookies season. All I was pointing out is that there is more or Jones work to look at then Best’s. You can label Jones a bust because of his career. I don’t think anybody should bring Best into this discussion because he hasn’t shown enough to be brought into it because he’s only had once season. I think overall best had a more flashy rookie season in the beginning but that’s it. Jones had the more productive rookie season.
LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! GO STEFAN LOGAN!
There's a reason
I said all-purpose yards. Jones had a few more, in the 150-200 range, they both got 6 tds, and Jones fumbled twice as much.
To claim he “dwarfed” Best is overstating it completely. Why so combative?
by Mavyrk on Apr 12, 2011 8:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Are they a bust if they sustain a significant injury? I think not.
Jones tried to come back from a broken foot, right? When they get a bad unfortunate injury, they are not a bust, IMHO. A bust is one that gets to the NFL and can’t cut it. I think if Chuck Long, Drew Stanton, Charles Rogers and the like. Guys who for whatever reason, got to the NFL and couldn’t step up.
I’d put someone who was injury prone as a bust, but not one with an unfortunate bad injury. I call those ‘career cut short’.
he had thoses injuries in college as well
so that would put him in the injury prone bust category.
This is the Motor City. And this is what we do...
P.C.P ... Now with a Richer, and Bolder flavor
IMO
A bust is any player that is a high draft pick that either can’t cut it, or gets hurt. Look at Charles Rogers. He was a really high draft pick that the Lions spent a lot of money on and the Lions let him go because he was injury prone. He got that label and he had a bit of a drug problem (I know, understatement) so no team would take him. He was a bust….mostly because of injury. So, you say when you think of bust you think of Charles Rogers..who is out of the league because he sustained to season ending injuries early in his career…but before that you say that kind of player isn’t a bust. You kind of contradict yourself. I hope I’m not coming across as an ass here. I don’t mean to. It’s just what I gathered from reading your post.
LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! GO STEFAN LOGAN!
ahh seemed like we had a plan that year
liked both of them picks
by BillySimsMadeMeDo on Apr 12, 2011 3:05 PM EDT reply actions
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