i'll list more as they occur to me, but for starters...
reggie williams (445) had more receiving yards than matt jones (432) last season, and almost as many receptions (35 to 36)...
not sure if i should like williams more or jones less?
but of course jones is the favorite to inherit abruptly retired jimmy smith's WR1 role, & didn't have that kind of opportunity last year, so his stats are more likely to zoom upwards...
Just a head's up.While I believe that Matt Jones will ultimately get the most receptions / yardage for the Jaguars this season, it is currently WR Reggie Williams that has taken over Jimmy Smith's starting position with Matt Jones slotted in as the second receiver in the offense. Reggie Williams has a real chance to surprise this season.
hey chris,interesting... we seem to have been looking at conflicting reports... everything i have seen (such as below excerpt from JAX insider vic ketchman recent column found on blogger dated 7-20) suggests that jones is expected to inherit the mantle as WR1 in this offense...
http://www.jaguars.com/story/5287.asp
Ball, fate in their hands
7/20/06
(Ed. Note—This is the second installment in a five-part series that previews the positional competition in training camp. Today's installment features the wide receivers and tight ends.)
By Vic Ketchman, jaguars.com senior editor
"In their hands rest more than the football. In their hands may rest the fate of the Jaguars this season. They are the Jaguars' pass-catchers, and they are the critical players on this team because one of them or all of them have to replace the most productive player in Jaguars history.
Who will be the next Jimmy Smith? Matt Jones? Reggie Williams? Marcedes Lewis? Ernest Wilford?
Smith shocked fans when he announced his retirement just prior to the start of the spring practice season. All of a sudden, the Jaguars were without a number one receiver; without the receiver who led the team in receiving yards each of the last 10 years.
Lewis, Jones and Williams are the Jaguars' last three first-round picks, so, logically, they should be expected to represent the team's starting receiving corps. Jones is currently playing at Smith's “X” receiver position, with Williams at flanker and Lewis likely to become the team's top pass-catching tight end.
Then there's Wilford, who led the Jaguars in touchdown catches (seven) and yards per catch (16.6) last season. Wilford was second to Smith in receptions (41) and yards (681), and Wilford asks, “Why not me?” Yeah, why not Wilford, who goes into training camp as Williams' backup and the Jaguars' number three wide receiver.
All eyes are on Jones. He would seem to be the player who has the best chance of achieving stardom. Jones' rookie season was dedicated to making the transition from college quarterback to pro wide receiver. Now, he's being counted on to make the transition from prospect to play-maker.
Williams was the ninth pick of the 2004 draft. He has yet to have the kind of breakout season expected of a top 10 pick and he'll be given every opportunity in this training camp and preseason to express his talents. This could be the make-or-break year of Williams' career.
Wilford is a former fourth-round pick who lacks speed but seems to always find a way to make plays. If he jumps up again in this summer's training camp and in the preseason games, his ability must be acknowledged with increased playing time."