Taiwan Jones (1 Viewer)

[Cipherchris]

Does he have any history of injuries?

Looks quick, but he might only be a speed guy. Those types of RB survive for an avg. of 3-4 years ifi'm not misktaen

 

[identikit]

He's currently recovering from a broken left foot.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Lot's of fun to watch and he definitely runs with a recklessness that makes great highlights. The speed, moves and acceleration are obvious. However, as alluded to earlier, every one of these plays are either runs he bounced outside or plays designed to get him into space immediately. There was not a single run where we see either Jones can press a hole, show patience behind a slower developing blocking scheme or choose the short gain for a tough 3-4 over the "home run" cutback or reversal of field.

One thing that Johnson, Charles and McFadden showed in college was some semblance of ability to get tough yards between the tackles. These highlights obviously don't show that.

I enjoyed watching it. It doesn't show nearly enough to make a good call on him having an NFL future as an RB, but I'm sure if you flip a coin and take a guess based on his YouTube clips, half of you will be correct.

Given your statement it doesn't sound like you have much experience with him... will you be profiling him?

Correct, I don't.

I hope to, but depends if I can get my hands on some game film in time. I might have some in my library, but I have to check.

Hi Matt,I have four games here I can send you. This is what I said about him on September 18th when I was going to blog last season:

Currently, I have my eye on an Eastern Washington RB named Taiwan Jones. He looked terrific against Nevada in the opener. In high school (Antioch, CA) I was sure he had NFL LB potential, but he stuck with RB and looks like a complete package (blocks like fullback and catches like a receiver). He has always been very tough. His coach calls him gritty. Combine that with several 60+ yard runs and there's a nice prospect brewing up north. I was the first to point out Tim Hightower early in his senior campaign in a Shark Pool discussion about Danny Woodhead. Taiwan is similar. Hightower has a phenomenal work ethic that germinated prior to his senior season, so without knowing more about Taiwan in those regards, let's just keep an eye on him when we can for now. He's just a junior with a long way to go.

I can tell you he is tough tough tough regardless of what highlights show. He likes to thump and grind. If he makes a good decision to break outside well good for him. I would suspect he fails to make that good decision more often than making it in error. Taiwan loves contact. A little bit of McFadden in him in that regard. I doubt he goes better than 4.45. He's had a broken fibula, surgery for a sports hernia, and issues with both shoulders. He is also a great special teamer. If he ain't all that he should stick around on specials if nothing else.

 

[Cipherchris]

So, he's more of an intriguing guy with great potential upside, but a high risk as a fantasy pick

 

[Chaos Commish]

So, he's more of an intriguing guy with great potential upside, but a high risk as a fantasy pick

Well, if you have to draft now, you can probably wait until the risk is nil to give him a slot, but let's get him drafted then discuss risk reward. Backs come out early and go undrafted almost every year. If he goes 4th round or higher then he's proving himself to people who matter.

 

[Matt Waldman]

Lot's of fun to watch and he definitely runs with a recklessness that makes great highlights. The speed, moves and acceleration are obvious. However, as alluded to earlier, every one of these plays are either runs he bounced outside or plays designed to get him into space immediately. There was not a single run where we see either Jones can press a hole, show patience behind a slower developing blocking scheme or choose the short gain for a tough 3-4 over the "home run" cutback or reversal of field.

One thing that Johnson, Charles and McFadden showed in college was some semblance of ability to get tough yards between the tackles. These highlights obviously don't show that.

I enjoyed watching it. It doesn't show nearly enough to make a good call on him having an NFL future as an RB, but I'm sure if you flip a coin and take a guess based on his YouTube clips, half of you will be correct.

Given your statement it doesn't sound like you have much experience with him... will you be profiling him?

Correct, I don't.

I hope to, but depends if I can get my hands on some game film in time. I might have some in my library, but I have to check.

Hi Matt,I have four games here I can send you. This is what I said about him on September 18th when I was going to blog last season:

Currently, I have my eye on an Eastern Washington RB named Taiwan Jones. He looked terrific against Nevada in the opener. In high school (Antioch, CA) I was sure he had NFL LB potential, but he stuck with RB and looks like a complete package (blocks like fullback and catches like a receiver). He has always been very tough. His coach calls him gritty. Combine that with several 60+ yard runs and there's a nice prospect brewing up north. I was the first to point out Tim Hightower early in his senior campaign in a Shark Pool discussion about Danny Woodhead. Taiwan is similar. Hightower has a phenomenal work ethic that germinated prior to his senior season, so without knowing more about Taiwan in those regards, let's just keep an eye on him when we can for now. He's just a junior with a long way to go.

I can tell you he is tough tough tough regardless of what highlights show. He likes to thump and grind. If he makes a good decision to break outside well good for him. I would suspect he fails to make that good decision more often than making it in error. Taiwan loves contact. A little bit of McFadden in him in that regard. I doubt he goes better than 4.45. He's had a broken fibula, surgery for a sports hernia, and issues with both shoulders. He is also a great special teamer. If he ain't all that he should stick around on specials if nothing else.

Thanks Robert, please do. Send me an email in terms of what format you can send it in and I'll provide you my address. M

 

[BigTex]

So, he's more of an intriguing guy with great potential upside, but a high risk as a fantasy pick

Well, if you have to draft now, you can probably wait until the risk is nil to give him a slot, but let's get him drafted then discuss risk reward. Backs come out early and go undrafted almost every year. If he goes 4th round or higher then he's proving himself to people who matter.

I'd like to hear more about Sony Micheal. A friend of mine is/was one of the coaches/scout's on MTV2's "The Ride" and he told me about 7 months ago that Sony Michael was a monster and that he had better skill set and more talent than Barry Sanders Jr. He raved highly of this kid and this coming from a guy with NFL credentials.I know he's still young, I'd just like to get some more insight.Tex

 

[DansRams]

Rotoworld

The performance coach for Taiwan Jones claims that the Eastern Washington running back is running 10-yard splits in the "low-1.4s" as he prepares for his April 14 individual Pro Day.

Jones, recovering from foot surgery, hasn't run a full 40-yard dash yet, but the 1.4 ten-yard split would easily be the best in the 2011 draft class. Per CBS Sports, the top ten-yard split in Indianapolis was posted by Ohio State CB Chimdi Chekwa (1.52). Chekwa's forty time was 4.38. Demarcus Van Dyke ran the best forty at the Combine (4.37), and his split was 1.58.

 

[LTF]

He does have some great speed, but man alive is he raw. He just looks like an athlete who is trying to play RB; he just has an unnatural way of running. There's obviously some nice potential in him though.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

The performance coach for Taiwan Jones claims that the Eastern Washington running back is running 10-yard splits in the "low-1.4s" as he prepares for his April 14 individual Pro Day.Jones, recovering from foot surgery, hasn't run a full 40-yard dash yet, but the 1.4 ten-yard split would easily be the best in the 2011 draft class.

Big grain, meet salt.Funny how many of these 4.3x 40 stories we see leading up to the combine and at pro days - but how few of them are verified under controlled conditions in Indy.

 

[BigTex]

— Taiwan Jones. Another running back making noise from the Pacific Northwest is Eastern Washington's Jones. The more scouts that have had a chance to break down film of Jones, the more who have been impressed, especially for someone who was moved to cornerback in college before returning to the offensive backfield two years ago. Jones has the quick feet, agility and balance to make very sharp cuts. He easily gets into open field with the burst to shoot through holes. Once he quickly accelerates to full speed, he can run away from a defense. The only concern that likely will keep him from being drafted before the third round is his skinny frame (only 195 pounds at 5-11 5/8). If he can bulk up and get a bit stronger, he has the physical tools to become an NFL feature back.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2011-01/2011-nfl-draft/story/draft-dish-nevadas-kaepernick-makes-his-case-as-ace-qb

 

[BigTex]

DraftNasty does a good job of breaking down TJ. They look at leaser known prospect and I like that.

check it out: http://www.draftnasty.com/football/videos/draftnasty-spotlights-eastern-washington-rbkr-taiwan-jones/

Giddy Up!

Tex

 

[Touchdown There]

He does have some great speed, but man alive is he raw. He just looks like an athlete who is trying to play RB; he just has an unnatural way of running. There's obviously some nice potential in him though.

From the tape, Taiwan likes to play on the lunatic fringe. Full speed, all the time. That makes me a new fan.

 

[GoodLloydHaveMercy]

You can't say anything about how good he will be until you know what team he goes to and even then you don't know until they play...for years. Can't go fishing in a half-built boat.

this is true but as long as this boat doesn't end up docking at a port in Cincy or Washington or (insert other terrible franchise here) you got a better shot at being successful.

 

[Touchdown There]

http://rob-rang.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13682485/28111870

 

[Matt Waldman]

Robert apparently didn't have the opportunity to get me any game tape, but I was impressed with Jones as an open field runner. What I want to see is his work between the tackles. He could be a A+ open field runner and a D-quality between the tackles player. He's one of those guys that I think is "all over the place" on fantasy draft lists, but we'll have a much clearer idea of where to rate him once the draft happens.

 

[loose circuits]

Robert apparently didn't have the opportunity to get me any game tape, but I was impressed with Jones as an open field runner. What I want to see is his work between the tackles. He could be a A+ open field runner and a D-quality between the tackles player. He's one of those guys that I think is "all over the place" on fantasy draft lists, but we'll have a much clearer idea of where to rate him once the draft happens.

where does that put him in terms of NFL player comparisons? I'd argue a big difference between Norwood & Johnson/Charles is that toughness & ability to mix it up inside see the hole and go. Westbrook & Dunn were both lguys that would mix it up inside too. Seems like that could come back to haunt. Not sure what value a Reggie Bush (seems like upside cause they both have great hands). Maybe Dexter McCluster or even like an Eric Metcalf. I don't like the actual comparison, but I'm just trying to iron out the probability that he actually contributes to fantasy rosters.I think after the draft gets done that he'll go somewhere and have an easier projected role because of the versatility. That makes him a safer play, but sometimes inflates player value beyond a reasonable point. In other words, I think it's possible he'll go too high in a lot of rookie drafts

 

[-jb-]

.

 

[Touchdown There]

49ers looking for Westbrook's replacement

09:14 AM ET 04.09 | Brian Westbrook again is a free agent this year and appears unlikely to return to San Francisco. The 49ers will try to find someone for that role. The 49ers are in the market for a change-of-pace running back. They'll be hosting one, Oklahoma State's Kendall Hunter, on Monday, according to the National Football Post, and are expected to attend the Thursday workout of another, Eastern Washington's Taiwan Jones.

From http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/277111-49ers-looking-for-westbrooks-replacement#ixzz1J3zojDSq

___________________________________________________________________________________

Isn't Anthony Dixon the backup? If Taiwan lands in San Fran, I would not draft him in any format.

 

[moderated]

49ers looking for Westbrook's replacement

09:14 AM ET 04.09 | Brian Westbrook again is a free agent this year and appears unlikely to return to San Francisco. The 49ers will try to find someone for that role. The 49ers are in the market for a change-of-pace running back. They'll be hosting one, Oklahoma State's Kendall Hunter, on Monday, according to the National Football Post, and are expected to attend the Thursday workout of another, Eastern Washington's Taiwan Jones.

From http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/277111-49ers-looking-for-westbrooks-replacement#ixzz1J3zojDSq

___________________________________________________________________________________

Isn't Anthony Dixon the backup? If Taiwan lands in San Fran, I would not draft him in any format.

They still need a 3rd down rb. If gore goes down again they need a more versatile rb to pair with Dixon.

 

[Touchdown There]

Gore is not happy coming out on 3rd down. He is a fantastic receiver. No need.

 

[moderated]

Gore is not happy coming out on 3rd down. He is a fantastic receiver. No need.

They have to insure themselves if gore goes down. he is coming off a major season ending hip injury.If he goes down Dixon is not a 3rd down rb. If sf can get a solid versatile rb in the 3rd/4th they would be fools not to draft one.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

Gore is not happy coming out on 3rd down. He is a fantastic receiver. No need.

They have to insure themselves if gore goes down. he is coming off a major season ending hip injury.If he goes down Dixon is not a 3rd down rb. If sf can get a solid versatile rb in the 3rd/4th they would be fools not to draft one.

I'm not sure Taiwan Jones would lose all value if he landed in SF...Dixon hasn't sold anyone with his performance yet. There's no guarantee he's Gore's successor. And Gore is injury prone and aging. Jones is a bit of a project, so he might be ready to come in and take over in two years or so, once Gore is winding down there.Its not an ideal situation. But it could be much worse. It would definitely drop him into the 3rd round in rookie drafts, I'd think, with no significant amount of immediate carries in sight.

 

[Jail]

I feel like I remember hearing Mayock talk about this guy this week saying that if he times as well as everyone expects him to time during his workout he'd be surprised to see him get out of the 2nd round of the NFL draft. Anyone else see that? I could be mistaken there.

 

[eaglesfan7]

I feel like I remember hearing Mayock talk about this guy this week saying that if he times as well as everyone expects him to time during his workout he'd be surprised to see him get out of the 2nd round of the NFL draft. Anyone else see that? I could be mistaken there.

Jail,I think I heard him say that on Path to the Draft. He really likes Jones and someone posted a video (I think on this forum) of him training for the 40. During the training he was timed between 4.27 and 4.35 I believe. Don't quote me on that because I'm not positive of the numbers but I think Mayock said he could be the fastest player in the draft.

 

[Rodeojones]

I feel like I remember hearing Mayock talk about this guy this week saying that if he times as well as everyone expects him to time during his workout he'd be surprised to see him get out of the 2nd round of the NFL draft. Anyone else see that? I could be mistaken there.

Jail,

I think I heard him say that on Path to the Draft. He really likes Jones and someone posted a video (I think on this forum) of him training for the 40. During the training he was timed between 4.27 and 4.35 I believe. Don't quote me on that because I'm not positive of the numbers but I think Mayock said he could be the fastest player in the draft.

Here's the video your referring to.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Another OP trying to claim discovery on some prospect. LOL... Im a EWU alumni .. Im pretty sure I didn't hear about him from the OP first.

 

[Steed]

Another OP trying to claim discovery on some prospect. LOL... Im a EWU alumni .. Im pretty sure I didn't hear about him from the OP first.

Then why you holding out on us?

 

[DansRams]

Another OP trying to claim discovery on some prospect. LOL... Im a EWU alumni .. Im pretty sure I didn't hear about him from the OP first.

....and here I thought nobody ever watched an EW game

 

[BigTex]

Taiwan Jones Draft Journal 4- April 5 Written by Admin Tuesday, 05 April 2011 04:21 RB TAIWAN JONES, EASTERN WASHINGTON JOURNAL 4– APRIL 5, 2011Dear Journal,So far I have been training. We have been working on my 40 starts a lot. I have just been timed in the first 10 yards. I haven’t been timed in a full 40 yet. They have been introducing the 3-cone and l-drill. The more I have done them I have become more comfortable.As far as visits the only team I have visited with is Philadelphia. I met with the running back coach. He taught me their offense to see how I learn and all of that. We met at my high school in my hometown.I have Miami and Arizona scheduled for visits. There is talk about Carolina and Kansas City setting up visits. The first one is April 18th and the other is April 19th.I have a dinner with a few teams but I’m not sure which teams they are right now. Some are before and others are after my pro day.My pro day is April 14th. I will be able to do everything. I get more comfortable with the drills the more I do them. I have a lot of high expectations as far as some of the numbers. I feel like the main thing I will focus on is my 40 and vertical. I have been running a lot of low 1.4s in the 10-yard. I only did the vertical once but I did 40 inches. I am weighing around 200 right now. I’m hoping I will weigh in at least 202. I think 202 will be a good weight for me. Travelle wants me at 205 but we will see.Right now I believe 27 teams are committed to coming and hoping to get the other five to commit as well.Talk to you after my private workout!Taiwan Jones

http://www.jbscouting.com/index.php/interviews/3-interviews/1676-tj-dj-4

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

Another OP trying to claim discovery on some prospect. LOL... Im a EWU alumni .. Im pretty sure I didn't hear about him from the OP first.

....and here I thought nobody ever watched an EW game

That red field is hideous.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Another OP trying to claim discovery on some prospect. LOL... Im a EWU alumni .. Im pretty sure I didn't hear about him from the OP first.

....and here I thought nobody ever watched an EW game

Didn't say I watched them. The field burns your eye's out. Im also a UW alumni (so they are my team, EWU is a scrubish school).

 

[DansRams]

From Rotoworld

Eastern Washington RB Taiwan Jones ran the forty-yard dash at 4.32 - 4.35 seconds at Thursday's Pro Day workout.

Jones reportedly clocked between 4.29 and 4.35 on all stopwatches. It's an emphatic sign that he's fully recovered from late-season foot surgery. Checking in at 6'1", 196 pounds with "nary an ounce of body fat," Jones also recorded an impressive 39 1/2-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot broad jump -- just five inches short of the record. Jones is the most explosive athlete in this year's running back class. Thursday's performance, in front of representatives from 26 teams, should lock him into the draft's second day. His stock is skyrocketing.

Hard not to get very excited about this kids talent. I can't see him getting out of the 3rd round and he could push into the 2nd round of the NFL draft.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

Man...two months ago, I was excited about the prospect of drafting this kid in the 3rd round of my rookie dynasty draft...

Now, I'll probably have to make sure I'm in the mid-2nd, at the latest, to get him. Depending on where he's drafted.

 

[DansRams]

Man...two months ago, I was excited about the prospect of drafting this kid in the 3rd round of my rookie dynasty draft...Now, I'll probably have to make sure I'm in the mid-2nd, at the latest, to get him. Depending on where he's drafted.

I think he may even climb up into the late 1st round of rookie drafts of 12 teams or more....epecially if he goes to the right situation in the 2nd round...For example: He would look great in TB with Blount

 

[Go deep]

Man...two months ago, I was excited about the prospect of drafting this kid in the 3rd round of my rookie dynasty draft...Now, I'll probably have to make sure I'm in the mid-2nd, at the latest, to get him. Depending on where he's drafted.

I think he may even climb up into the late 1st round of rookie drafts of 12 teams or more....epecially if he goes to the right situation in the 2nd round...For example: He would look great in TB with Blount

I would take him in the late first, maybe even mid if he landed in TB.

 

[BigTex]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Taiwan-Jones-runs-a-VERY-fast-40-yard-dash?urn=nfl-wp955

Taiwan Jones runs a VERY fast 40-yard dash

About 50 NFL scouts, coaches and executives (including 18 running backs coaches) were at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, Calif., to watch one private workout. And if you don't follow FCS football closely, you may not even know the name of the player they came to watch.

Eastern Washington running back Taiwan Jones, the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year, finally got to run the 40-yard dash everyone had been expecting and hoping to see. Jones suffered a broken foot late in the 2010 season, which kept him out of the FCS Championship game (which EWU still won without him) and workouts at the scouting combine. However, those in the scouting community were well-aware of Jones' raw speed, and knew that when fully healed, he could put up numbers in the range of those established by current Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (4.24 at the combine) and Kansas City Chiefs back Jamaal Charles(notes) (4.28).

After serious work and rehab at Athletes Performance in Carson, Calif., (a bit of which we caught on tape recently), Jones flew up to the Bay Area and put on a major show in front of what San Francisco 49ers running backs coach Tom Rathman told one observer was the biggest NFL attendance for a private workout he had ever seen. API's Travelle Gaines told Yahoo! Sports that Jones ran one 40 and times in the range of 4.27 to 4.35 on all stopwatches. We'll get the official times later Thursday and pass them along (as well as an interview with Mr. Jones), but this could really push Jones up quite a few draft boards. Currently seen as a third- to fifth-round prospect, Jones may jump up a bit higher based on Thursday.

"Actually, I felt like I could have done a little better with my 40 and my vertical, but I thought I exceeded everyone's expectations on everything else," Jones told Yahoo! Sports soon after the workout. "I felt that I didn't stay in my drive phase in the beginning [of the run], and I didn't start as strongly as I needed to."

And how did the training at API help? "For the most part, it just got my confidence up," said Jones, who just started running again at full speed three weeks ago and hadn't run an official timed 40 before today since last summer. "Everyone knew that I could run fast, but it was just getting the confidence to push off that foot. That was the biggest part for me today.

Jones is well aware of the Chris Johnson and Jamaal Charles comparisons — he's heard them for a long time — but this was the first time he was able to show the majority of NFL teams (representative of 27 teams showed up) that he had that kind of speed in person. "I've always felt that I could be as good as the guys on that level," Jones said of the college and pro elite. But to be named with those names in an honor, and now, I feel that I have to go out there and prove it."

Still, Jones knows that it just isn't about straight-line speed — teams will look at the game tape to see what he's really all about in a football sense. What does he have to offer besides that blazing speed? "Just the way I move my body — I'm able to bend my body in ways that most big backs can't. I feel that this is what separates me from a lot of the backs in this year's class."

Jones also put up a 39.5-inch vertical leap (which would have been third among running backs at the combine), and an 11-foot broad jump, which would have been second overall at the combine behind Alabama receiver Julio Jones, who was universally acknowledged as the star of the 2011 event.

In 31 games for the Eagles, Jones carried the ball 383 times for 2,955 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also caught 64 passes for 903 yards and seven touchdowns, and took 50 kick returns for 1,134 yards and one touchdown.

 

[Touchdown There]

Where else would a speed guy fall? Taiwan is now a Raider. Thoughts?

 

[Burning Sensation]

Where else would a speed guy fall? Taiwan is now a Raider. Thoughts?

Not good, i wouldnt touch him in the first two rounds of a rookie draft.

 

[renesauz]

Far less than ideal landing spot.

 

[LHUCKS]

Lot's of people in here getting excited about combine numbers instead of actually watching the kid play and understanding how his game translates to the NFL.

Fifth round seems about right...too bad he's with the Raiders.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Lot's of people in here getting excited about combine numbers instead of actually watching the kid play and understanding how his game translates to the NFL.Fifth round seems about right...too bad he's with the Raiders.

I would even go so far as to say the fifth round seems almost as right as the fourth round.

 

[eaglesfan7]

I like it. He'll get his chance with McFadden always on the sideline.

 

[Burning Sensation]

I like it. He'll get his chance with McFadden always on the sideline.

Jones is alot more fragile than Mcfadden, plus i dont think Bush is going anywhere.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

:garbagecanicon:

 

[sihaokills]

I think it would be a battle Bush and Jones... Bush will come out as the backup IMO

 

[Chadstroma]

Hoping this kid is a great back.

 

[LawFitz]

:garbagecanicon:

Posts like this are awesome. I love how few people actually realize that the Raiders made huge leaps on offense last season, their first under then OC, now Head Coach, Hue Jackson. McFadden had a career season. The Raiders finished with the #6 scoring offense and the #2 rushing offense in the NFL. Note that they put up those final offensive stats, despite struggling on that side of the ball for much of the early part of last season. They had a fantastic draft last season, and I for one, a person who had been very critical of Raider drafting over the years, am very happy with this year's picks, including Taiwan Jones. Something switched over the last few drafts and suddenly the Raiders are taking almost exclusively high character guys. I don't think this is by accident. Somewhere along the line recently, someone convinced Al that character counts and right now, this is a team on the way up. Oh well, three words to always remmember: haters gonna hate.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

:garbagecanicon:

Posts like this are awesome. I love how few people actually realize that the Raiders made huge leaps on offense last season, their first under then OC, now Head Coach, Hue Jackson. McFadden had a career season. The Raiders finished with the #6 scoring offense and the #2 rushing offense in the NFL. Note that they put up those final offensive stats, despite struggling on that side of the ball for much of the early part of last season. They had a fantastic draft last season, and I for one, a person who had been very critical of Raider drafting over the years, am very happy with this year's picks, including Taiwan Jones. Something switched over the last few drafts and suddenly the Raiders are taking almost exclusively high character guys. I don't think this is by accident. Somewhere along the line recently, someone convinced Al that character counts and right now, this is a team on the way up. Oh well, three words to always remmember: haters gonna hate.

You misunderstood me. I said that because of who's in front of him, thus making his fantasy value garbage for right now. Bush isn't going anywhere and McFadden is coming off a career year.

 

[Catbird]

And that's how I read it.

But if one looks for 'haters' no doubt he will find them.