Felix ready to go
Jones Ready to Be Feature Attraction
by Jeremy White, Red Line Editoria
May 21, 2008
Talk about being the ultimate wingman.
Felix Jones could have been the workhorse on practically any other college football team in America. At other schools, he likely would have carried the ball 300 times a season. At Arkansas, where he backed up two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden, Jones tallied 387 carries in three years .
But does he feel bitter or underappreciated?
Not at all, Jones insists.
“No, man, never,” the running back said. “No way.”
Jones backs up those words with his actions. He could have gone to Oklahoma State, the school to which he originally made a verbal commitment, but instead chose Arkansas. He could have transferred to a different program when it became clear McFadden was going to be the starter, but he stayed on and filled his role without resentment.
Arkansas offensive coordinator David Lee called Jones his favorite player on the team in 2007, and that’s largely because of the way the running back handled being Barney Rubble to McFadden’s Fred Flintstone.
As for Jones, he just wants to play football.
“I was put here for a reason,” he said of his decision to stay at Arkansas. “There’s no need for ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda.’”
The next obvious question is this: With McFadden bound for the NFL, why didn’t Jones return to Arkansas for his senior season—finally, a year to be the No. 1 running back—as opposed to leaving college early for the pros?
“That’s a good question,” Jones said, “but it’s all about timing. For me, the time is right. I’m ready.”
Jones seems to be right that he’s ready, given his selection by the Dallas Cowboys as the No. 22 pick in this year’s draft. The native of Tulsa, Okla. is quick to point out that Dallas need not worry about his ability to be the workhorse of its offense when his number is called.
“I can be a featured back,” he said. “I was the featured back in high school and I feel like I could have been the featured back at Arkansas if we didn’t have Darren. I feel like I could have been the featured back in a lot of places.”
In high school, Jones rushed for 800 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior despite an ankle injury that limited his playing time. The next year, as a senior, he exploded for 2,282 yards and 48 touchdowns on 205 carries. He led his team to a 13-1 record and a runner-up finish in Oklahoma’s Class 5A. In a losing effort in the state championship game, Jones ran loose for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
In three years at Arkansas, Jones carried the ball more than 150 times just once. Still, he broke the 1,000-yard mark twice. After running for 626 yards and three touchdowns on 99 attempts as a freshman, Jones had 154 carries for 1,168 yards and six touchdowns in 2006. Last season, he carried the ball 134 times for 1,160 yards and 11 more scores.
Jones can do more than run the ball, too. He earned All-American honors as a kick returner as well as All-SEC honors as a tailback.
“I enjoy returning kicks,” he said. “It gives me a chance to showcase my speed and if you just get that one cut, that one seam, you can break a game open and it’s an exciting feeling. I love returning kicks.”
McFadden, the fourth overall pick by the Oakland Raiders, was quick to praise his former teammate and predicted success for Jones with the Cowboys.
“I feel like if he’d been given the chance he could have done the same things I did, put up the same type of numbers,” McFadden said. “He’s a great running back. He could have played anywhere else in the country and put up crazy numbers.”
For Jones’ part, he says he has learned from his relationship with McFadden.
“We’re very good friends,” Jones said. “He’ll do real well (in the NFL). He’s a powerful guy. We were quite a duo.”
How will Jones do in the NFL?
“Well,” he said, “hopefully I’ll get a chance to show what I can do.”
The Cowboys are giving Jones that chance, so now it’s up to him to take it and run with it.
by Jeremy White, Red Line Editoria
May 21, 2008
Talk about being the ultimate wingman.
Felix Jones could have been the workhorse on practically any other college football team in America. At other schools, he likely would have carried the ball 300 times a season. At Arkansas, where he backed up two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden, Jones tallied 387 carries in three years .
But does he feel bitter or underappreciated?
Not at all, Jones insists.
“No, man, never,” the running back said. “No way.”
Jones backs up those words with his actions. He could have gone to Oklahoma State, the school to which he originally made a verbal commitment, but instead chose Arkansas. He could have transferred to a different program when it became clear McFadden was going to be the starter, but he stayed on and filled his role without resentment.
Arkansas offensive coordinator David Lee called Jones his favorite player on the team in 2007, and that’s largely because of the way the running back handled being Barney Rubble to McFadden’s Fred Flintstone.
As for Jones, he just wants to play football.
“I was put here for a reason,” he said of his decision to stay at Arkansas. “There’s no need for ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda.’”
The next obvious question is this: With McFadden bound for the NFL, why didn’t Jones return to Arkansas for his senior season—finally, a year to be the No. 1 running back—as opposed to leaving college early for the pros?
“That’s a good question,” Jones said, “but it’s all about timing. For me, the time is right. I’m ready.”
Jones seems to be right that he’s ready, given his selection by the Dallas Cowboys as the No. 22 pick in this year’s draft. The native of Tulsa, Okla. is quick to point out that Dallas need not worry about his ability to be the workhorse of its offense when his number is called.
“I can be a featured back,” he said. “I was the featured back in high school and I feel like I could have been the featured back at Arkansas if we didn’t have Darren. I feel like I could have been the featured back in a lot of places.”
In high school, Jones rushed for 800 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior despite an ankle injury that limited his playing time. The next year, as a senior, he exploded for 2,282 yards and 48 touchdowns on 205 carries. He led his team to a 13-1 record and a runner-up finish in Oklahoma’s Class 5A. In a losing effort in the state championship game, Jones ran loose for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
In three years at Arkansas, Jones carried the ball more than 150 times just once. Still, he broke the 1,000-yard mark twice. After running for 626 yards and three touchdowns on 99 attempts as a freshman, Jones had 154 carries for 1,168 yards and six touchdowns in 2006. Last season, he carried the ball 134 times for 1,160 yards and 11 more scores.
Jones can do more than run the ball, too. He earned All-American honors as a kick returner as well as All-SEC honors as a tailback.
“I enjoy returning kicks,” he said. “It gives me a chance to showcase my speed and if you just get that one cut, that one seam, you can break a game open and it’s an exciting feeling. I love returning kicks.”
McFadden, the fourth overall pick by the Oakland Raiders, was quick to praise his former teammate and predicted success for Jones with the Cowboys.
“I feel like if he’d been given the chance he could have done the same things I did, put up the same type of numbers,” McFadden said. “He’s a great running back. He could have played anywhere else in the country and put up crazy numbers.”
For Jones’ part, he says he has learned from his relationship with McFadden.
“We’re very good friends,” Jones said. “He’ll do real well (in the NFL). He’s a powerful guy. We were quite a duo.”
How will Jones do in the NFL?
“Well,” he said, “hopefully I’ll get a chance to show what I can do.”
The Cowboys are giving Jones that chance, so now it’s up to him to take it and run with it.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:21 PM
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