Vikings trade for PFF star center Brett Jones

[Thrillkill]

They needed to do something.. I'm slightly surprised it wasn't bringing in a veteran guy but I'm guessing they were so disappointed in Edison they needed another center ASAP.

I'm sure this won't be the only move. They'll look at roster cuts this weekend too, but if this was a guy they actually liked, it's worth making the move now and giving up a low value asset to ensure you don't get sniped on waiver priority.

They can still sign or claim guys that get waived this weekend.

Could see it happening. As much as Spielman is committed to always restocking the cupboard with youth there are just times you take the chance of losing them off the practice squad. When you are one of the top teams contending is that time. 1 depth vet can win you a game. And one thing about being the deepest team in the league. You better get used to losing young god players to other teams. It's a good problem to have.

[twgerber]

They needed to do something.. I'm slightly surprised it wasn't bringing in a veteran guy but I'm guessing they were so disappointed in Edison they needed another center ASAP.

So Jones isn't a vet?

Or you mean a FA Vet?

[Herky]

Good depth move and they really didn't give up much for it.

[twgerber]

Chad Graff
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Vikings OC John DeFilippo said he thinks the learning curve won’t be steep for new lineman Brett Jones because of Shurmur’s past with the Vikings. Said Jones will mix in both at guard and center.

[Stu Pedaso]

Worth mentioning, the Bears released guard Earl Wattford after they couldn't find a trade partner.

I doubt he makes it through waivers. We must have not wanted him. Six year vet.

[Tommy_Hawk]

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Vikings OC John DeFilippo said he thinks the learning curve won’t be steep for new lineman Brett Jones because of Shurmur’s past with the Vikings. Said Jones will mix in both at guard and center.

Thanks!

[Da Gas Man]

Worth mentioning, the Bears released guard Earl Wattford after they couldn't find a trade partner.

I doubt he makes it through waivers. We must have not wanted him. Six year vet.

Six year vet but incredibly ineffective.

[HeHateMe]

They needed to do something.. I'm slightly surprised it wasn't bringing in a veteran guy but I'm guessing they were so disappointed in Edison they needed another center ASAP.

So Jones isn't a vet?

Or you mean a FA Vet?

Yep, sorry, should have clarified... a guy who didn't belong to another team.. I know Jones isn't 23 but he's also not a 30+ year old veteran free agent who I figured they'd explore first.

[RubeTube]

They needed to do something.. I'm slightly surprised it wasn't bringing in a veteran guy but I'm guessing they were so disappointed in Edison they needed another center ASAP.

So Jones isn't a vet?

Or you mean a FA Vet?

Yep, sorry, should have clarified... a guy who didn't belong to another team.. I know Jones isn't 23 but he's also not a 30+ year old veteran free agent who I figured they'd explore first.

Thanks for clarifying.

[Corre Ricky Corre]

I don't think that there is a negative about this. He could slide over to guard when Elf gets healthy. Elf will help this line tremendously.

[PurpleFloyd]

I like the move. What with Elf on the shelf and all we can use all the depth we can get.

[-VikingsTw-]

This looks like a good move. Time will tell but a 7th rounder for a young center who put on some decent tape in 2017. We had a trade kind like this with Easton a few years back. Turned out to be a solid addition.

In general I'm seeing positive reviews from Giants fans as a group. Nobody really has anything bad to say, some think he's better than the center they are giving the job too. I can't blame them for being pissed over losing depth, that's the reason I wasn't in favor of trading a CB for an offensive lineman. We have depth at CB not a big fan of giving it up.

I didn't connect the dots on his potential ability to pick up our offense rather quick because he's been with Shurmer this spring and training camp. Overall it seems like a nice fit given the situation.

[HeHateMe]

This looks like a good move. Time will tell but a 7th rounder for a young center who put on some decent tape in 2017. We had a trade kind like this with Easton a few years back. Turned out to be a solid addition.

In general I'm seeing positive reviews from Giants fans as a group. Nobody really has anything bad to say, some think he's better than the center they are giving the job too. I can't blame them for being pissed over losing depth, that's the reason I wasn't in favor of trading a CB for an offensive lineman. We have depth at CB not a big fan of giving it up.

I didn't connect the dots on his potential ability to pick up our offense rather quick because he's been with Shurmer this spring and training camp. Overall it seems like a nice fit given the situation.

Anytime a 7th rounder can start for you for a season is a win.. that's why this is a good move. If Jones starts for this season, it was worth that pick. Sounds like a lot of the Giants motivation was $$$ to clear some room.

[Corre Ricky Corre]

This looks like a good move. Time will tell but a 7th rounder for a young center who put on some decent tape in 2017. We had a trade kind like this with Easton a few years back. Turned out to be a solid addition.

In general I'm seeing positive reviews from Giants fans as a group. Nobody really has anything bad to say, some think he's better than the center they are giving the job too. I can't blame them for being pissed over losing depth, that's the reason I wasn't in favor of trading a CB for an offensive lineman. We have depth at CB not a big fan of giving it up.

I didn't connect the dots on his potential ability to pick up our offense rather quick because he's been with Shurmer this spring and training camp. Overall it seems like a nice fit given the situation.

Anytime a 7th rounder can start for you for a season is a win.. that's why this is a good move. If Jones starts for this season, it was worth that pick. Sounds like a lot of the Giants motivation was $$$ to clear some room.

After that OBJ contract I see why.

[twgerber]

Nick Olson has some interesting analysis on Jones:



The first thing that pops off Jones' tape is his power. Here he is one-on-one against Aaron Donald's bull rush, and Jones holds up pretty well against the DPOY. see clip

That strength also shows up in the run game: on this play, Jones gets great hands placement, turns his man aside and drives him to the ground for the pancake block.

n the run game, Jones wins pretty consistently at the first level with heavy hands, good hands placement, natural leverage and active feet. Very good at pinning his man and can drive and finish against bigger defensive tackles one-on-one.

But as good as Jones looks at the first level, he looks just as bad at the second level. He moves well enough and has some athleticism, but he often fails to connect and maintain blocks. Balance and leverage are often an issue as well.

Jones' biggest strength is his pass blocking: great out of his stance, accurate punch, keeps a good pad level, active feet.

The only starting centers who allowed less pressure than Jones last year were Rodney Hudson and Brandon Linder. Elite company.

See this twitter feed for more.

[weimy froob]

Nick Olson has some interesting analysis on Jones:



The first thing that pops off Jones' tape is his power. Here he is one-on-one against Aaron Donald's bull rush, and Jones holds up pretty well against the DPOY. see clip

That strength also shows up in the run game: on this play, Jones gets great hands placement, turns his man aside and drives him to the ground for the pancake block.

n the run game, Jones wins pretty consistently at the first level with heavy hands, good hands placement, natural leverage and active feet. Very good at pinning his man and can drive and finish against bigger defensive tackles one-on-one.

But as good as Jones looks at the first level, he looks just as bad at the second level. He moves well enough and has some athleticism, but he often fails to connect and maintain blocks. Balance and leverage are often an issue as well.

Jones' biggest strength is his pass blocking: great out of his stance, accurate punch, keeps a good pad level, active feet.

The only starting centers who allowed less pressure than Jones last year were Rodney Hudson and Brandon Linder. Elite company.

See this twitter feed for more.

if accurate? very good value for that 7th round pick.

[Tommy_Hawk]

I like ^

However, is Olson just cherry-picking highlights here? The Giants offense was horrendous last year, and it cant all be on OBJ's absence. Something isn't adding up, seems too good to be true.

Don't get me wrong, I'll trade 7th round picks for starting-caliber OL all day. I like this move alot. Im just skeptical since nobody else seems to be.

[Tommy_Hawk]

DP

[twgerber]

I like ^

However, is Olson just cherry-picking highlights here? The Giants offense was horrendous last year, and it cant all be on OBJ's absence. Something isn't adding up, seems too good to be true.

Don't get me wrong, I'll trade 7th round picks for starting-caliber OL all day. I like this move alot. Im just skeptical since nobody else seems to be.

There is a lot more in his twitter feed. The biggest knock on him seems to be getting to the second level and run blocking isn't nearly as good as pass blocking. Giants did put second round tender on him this last offseason.

[twgerber]

https://vikingsterritory.com/2018/analy ... hink-it-is

New article that is more detailed than his tweets:

In Conclusion, It’s All Going To Be All Right
The Vikings are very good in pass protection: they ranked 12th-best in pass blocking efficiency last year and currently rank 1st through three weeks of the 2018 preseason. Plus, the Vikings added Brett Jones, who is an elite pass blocker and who deserves a shot to start all season long on the line. If Riley Reiff can return to his career average play and Pat Elflein can return healthy and improve on his rookie season, the Vikings’ pass protection won’t just be good; it will be great.

And sure, this isn’t the Minnesota Moving Company, but our run blockers aren’t slouches either. They ranked 13th-best in team run blocking grade in 2017, and even if Joe Berger is gone, Dalvin Cook is back. Last year, despite any blocking shortcomings, Dalvin Cook had the sixth-best rushing success rate out of over 70 qualifying running backs.

[BBG]

[bubu dubu.]

so, why'd they activate Elf?

[CasualObserverGuy]

so, why'd they activate Elf?

Really? Trying to be cute with your take I see lol

[HeHateMe]

[HeHateMe]

[mlhouse]

No thanks. He didnt even play last season on a line featuring Mike Remmers and Tom Compton as starters.

[Deep Purple]

If BJ couldn't beat out the losers we had on the O Line last year.......well..

[D_B_U]

Maybe for depth, but seeing he never played, I dont really see the benfit in bringing him back other than maybe he knows our system a bit...

Cant obviously fill the OL full of only rookies.

[Da Gas Man]

Here's why I don't take last year into account:

1. They were saving him as the backup center in case Elf went down. So they didn't want to play him at guard. Stupid, I know.

2. I truly think they played Remmers because he was making a lot of money and Compton because he is Cousins's buddy. And if that doesn't sound like a Minnesota sports team thing to do, you haven't been watching.

[HeHateMe]

Here's why I don't take last year into account:

1. They were saving him as the backup center in case Elf went down. So they didn't want to play him at guard. Stupid, I know.

2. I truly think they played Remmers because he was making a lot of money and Compton because he is Cousins's buddy. And if that doesn't sound like a Minnesota sports team thing to do, you haven't been watching.

I don't know how anyone could really argue with these points.