Leadership and effort may land one Titans player a roster spot
The end of the preseason can often be a drag. Especially when many of the Tennessee Titans’ starters are riding the bench for most of the game. On the flip side of that, the job that can be won or lost by a player on the bubble as camp wraps up is always an exciting […]
The end of the preseason can often be a drag. Especially when many of the Tennessee Titans’ starters are riding the bench for most of the game.
On the flip side of that, the job that can be won or lost by a player on the bubble as camp wraps up is always an exciting story to follow.
That’s an opportunity that Tennessee Titans linebacker Joe Jones took advantage of against the Arizona Cardinals, and he may have won himself a roster spot in the process.
Jones, a mid season signing by the Titans in 2021, played under coach Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern before signing with the Dallas Cowboys as a rookie free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft.
Jones would then go on to spend time with Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before getting a consistent special teams role with the Denver Broncos.
Now with the Titans, the journeyman is once again hoping to break camp with a team, and his play is showing it.
Jones recorded 16 tackles and one pass defender during limited reps in the preseason. He had a nice interception against the Bucs, and he made a play on Saturday that may have cemented his spot on the 53-man roster.
Jones made a chase down tackle of Cardinals WR Andy Isabella 70+ yards downfield to temporarily save a touchdown for the Titans defense. He never gave up on the play, and almost saved his defense four points.
When I asked Jones about it after the game, he assured me that the play was just a reflection of the type of player he is and the effort he brings every day.
“We preach effort and fundamentals and that was just a big effort play,” Jones told me. “They know I’m a big effort guy, and I’m gonna hustle my ass off as much as I possibly can to help this team win.”
Jones is also hopeful that other teams around the league are taking notice to the type of player he has been this preseason.
“Whether it’s here or one of the other 31 teams, hopefully they see how much I hustle and how hard I go,” Jones said.
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel had nothing but good things to say about Jones after the game on Saturday.
Vrabel lit up when talking about the exceptional hustle and heart Jones displayed, calling it “unbelievable.” He also said he made a point to talk to Jones and let him know his thoughts as he came off the field.
In Sunday’s presser, Vrabel mentioned Jones as a “leader on special teams”, something Jones told me he prides himself on.
When on the fringe of making an NFL roster, it’s often one play, or one moment that can separate you from the pack.
I think we saw that moment from Joe Jones on Saturday.
With Monty Rice being transferred to the PUP list and out for the first four games of the season, a veteran ILB with leadership skills and an impact on special teams should have a place on the Titans 53-man roster. Especially when they demonstrate the effort that Jones puts forth every day.
If he’s not on the Titans 53, he should definitely be on someone else’s, but I’d wager it doesn’t get to that point and the Titans keep him around.
Image via Nicole Hester-USA TODAY Sports
