| 12 February 2010
Jones, who has battled drug problems and did not play in the NFL in 2009, was a first-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005 (No. 21 overall) despite the fact that he had never played the WR position in his life. Jones was a quarterback at Arkansas (and in high school) but the Jags fell for the latest combine stud that couldn't produce on the field. Jones is an impressive athlete at 6-foot-6, 218 pounds and he can run the 40 in 4.4 seconds. However, being an NFL wide receiver is about all the nuances like running good routes, having a knack for getting open and having reliable hands. Jones is not known for doing any of those things well.
Jones will turn 27 in April and this is definitely a low-risk signing for the Bengals. He will make $700,000 if he makes the team, which is just a shade above the five-year veteran minimum. The team can release him at any time with no penalty and he apparently picked the Bengals over the Tennessee Titans.
In four NFL seasons, Jones has 166 receptions for 2,153 yards (13 yards per catch) and 15 touchdowns. He actually produced his best year in 2008 when he had 65 receptions for 761 yards (11.7 ypc) and two touchdowns.
At best, this is a so-so move and the Bengals better not be done addressing the wide receiver position this offseason. And I don't think they are.
I would love to see them trade up and draft Dez Bryant (and I am usually against trading up) or perhaps even trade the first-round pick for Brandon Marshall. But yeah, I know, our heads might explode if Chad Ochocinco and Marshall were on the same team.
Reds re-sign Wells
Kip Wells was solid for the Cincinnati Reds down the stretch last season (while the Reds were in that meaningless winning surge that hurt their draft position this year ... but I digress...) and the Reds re-signed him to a minor league deal this week. In 10 appearances last year for the Reds, including seven starts, Wells was 2-3 with a 4.66 ERA. In 46.1 innings, he gave up 37 hits, walked 22 and struck out 25. He will turn 33 in April.
I expect Wells to be at AAA Louisville for the majority of the season. In fact, if he is with the Reds, that is not a good sign because it probably means one of the expected starters are injured. Wells does have an outside shot at winning the No. 5 starter's job, but he will have to beat out the likes of Aroldis Chapman, Justin Lehr, Matt Maloney, Micah Owings and Travis Wood.
As I said in my last blog entry, I am hoping to see Wood win the job. He has the most upside of the group and could be ready for prime time after an excellent 2009 split between AA and AAA.
Still no word on Gomes
The one final move the Reds might make before spring training begins is the signing of outfielder Jonny Gomes to a minor league deal. However, nothing has happened yet and Gomes is clearly waiting for a better offer. And I can't blame him after his very-solid 2009 season. Hopefully the Reds and Gomes can come to an agreement though -- they need each other this year.
There is also talk that the Reds are in talks with Johnny Damon, but don't believe any of it. There is a better chance of you suiting up for the Redlegs this year. Look for Damon to sign with the Tigers.
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