Jones is Raiders’ pick
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, April 30th, 2011 at 10:21 am in Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders selected running back Taiwan Jones of Eastern Washington with the second of their two fourth-round picks, No. 125 overall.
Jones joins a crowded backfield with Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, Rock Cartwright and Michael Bennett already in the mix. Bush is a four-year veteran and potential free agent but Oakland place a first- and third-round tender on him before the lockout, an indication they intend on retaining his services.
Raiders’ runnning backs coach Kelly Skipper was in attendance at Jones’ pro day at Los Medanos College, where his agents said he was 90 healed from a fractured metatarsal that prematurely ended his season.
Jones timed anywhere from 4.28 to 4.35, depending on the stopwatch.
Jones’ overview on NFL.com: Jones is an FCS-level prospect with the big-play ability to provide value as a backup running back but does not have the power, durability or ball security of an NFL starter. Is explosive and can take it the distance but doesn’t have elite balance or elusiveness. Inconsistent reading and setting up blockers and locating backside holes but does a good job getting through seams in his vision. Could become a weapon in the passing game due to his speed, but his hands and ability to hold up in pass pro need to improve. Injury history should be investigated. Jones likely will hear his named called on Day 3.
A more detailed scouting report is available on on CBSsports.com
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April 30th, 2011 at 10:22 am
Taiwan Jones….. Bwahaaaahahahaha
April 30th, 2011 at 10:22 am
Davis must have been asleep during last year’s draft. This year he was hell bent on picking speed.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:22 am
2nd
April 30th, 2011 at 10:23 am
Lockett
April 30th, 2011 at 10:23 am
Great return guy
April 30th, 2011 at 10:23 am
37.J Hill Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:18 am
Stan Routt is our #1 corner with CHRIS JOHNSON #2 on the depth chart, and CB isn’t a need?
Not sure what some of you are seeing.
________
Re-sign one guy and there is no need. Instead we will spend the next five years trying to replace a guy that we already had.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:23 am
bye bye Bennett
April 30th, 2011 at 10:23 am
This guy over Cannon… he better be good
April 30th, 2011 at 10:24 am
JFORD <——-Best KO return guy in Raider history….
April 30th, 2011 at 10:25 am
LOL Taiwan jones…named after a Chinese Tranny….what the help do we need a th for!! U are stupid al Davis..u are stupid!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:25 am
5th round- QB Greg McElroy
April 30th, 2011 at 10:25 am
I guess ESPN doesn’t believe in acknowledging the Raiders’ picks.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:25 am
Dakota Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:22 am
________
Re-sign one guy and there is no need. Instead we will spend the next five years trying to replace a guy that we already had.
======================================================
Exactly…better off giving Nnamdi the money than sacrifice the next 5 drafts trying to replace the same guy.
The Raiders will spend a boatload trying to replace Nnamdi….just re-sign him so that they can get other positions filled.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:25 am
Not sure y we made this pick!!!
With bush-Mc fadden duo. This makes no sense unless it’s about depth at an already deep position.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:25 am
I wonder if virgil green TE from nevada is next on the board. This draft isn’t as good as last years thus far.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:26 am
Big Al was ill last year and slept through the draft, hence the uncharacteristic draft – This year he is dead set on overcompensating for speed! Cannon, Sturdivant, Virgil Green – anyone of those in the fifth and sixth would be good!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:27 am
Can we please get Ian Williams….
We were 29th against the run, we need a space eater…
April 30th, 2011 at 10:27 am
Al Davis you are an idiot…why do we need a rb ? I want to see Hue Jackson defend this pick and say we wamted this guy all along
April 30th, 2011 at 10:27 am
Get this….Taiwan Jones used to be a corner hahahahahahahahahahahah lmfao
April 30th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Taiwan jones was the steal of the draft! This kid is going to do wonders for our pass protection and run D! Wooooohoooo!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Re-sign one guy and there is no need.
——————————————————
Can’t afford him.
Nnamdi = 14 million or so …
His replacement won’t make 1 million, lol.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:29 am
So were Barksdale and Jones really worth a 2nd and a 7th? I woulda been ok with the trade if we came out with Cannon.. But who knows, maybe we will anywyas
April 30th, 2011 at 10:29 am
Obviously, the Raiders don’t need a RB. But, the guy looks dangerous. He could be a great third down back.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:29 am
CB’s don’t win games QB’s do.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Taiwan Jones here is like Murphy – they think he is too good to pass up on and feel he has great value! Fair is fair though, many had him in the 2nd, 3rd the latest, and he has potential as the best of them – but injury flags as well..
April 30th, 2011 at 10:30 am
“Taiwan Jones is a smaller back from a smaller school, but after the numbers he put up at Eastern Washington the NFL will find a place for him to play.
Rob Rang, senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, has been high on Jones while others have downplayed his potential.
Rang ranks Jones No. 9 among the running backs and 108th overall, and projects him to be selected in the third or fourth round.
And Rang sounds like even that might be selling Jones short.
“Bar none, Taiwan Jones is the most explosive open-field runner in the 2011 draft,” Rang said.
“There are certainly durability and level-of-competition questions, but in a draft class with few true burners, Jones stands out.
“He lacks the bulk to be an every-down, bell-cow back, but he’s an ideal complimentary runner with the big-play ability to change a game.”
April 30th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Jones is a return guy for us first and foremost.
Jacoby Ford’s role as a WR is going to increase significantly this year, which means he won’t be exposed on many returns. And he certainly won’t return punts and we ALL know that position was a need.
BYE BYE Nicky Miller!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Last year 49ers game. This is the reason we picked Taiwan Jones. McFadden goes down bush has a bad day who do you give the ball to? Rock or Bennett? Not a great pick but I just gave you a reason for it
April 30th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Oh well…at least they got the Center from Penn State.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:31 am
@Severeraiderz, lol, good point about he used to be a CB..
Davon House available in 5th make DVD in 3rd seem really dumb!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Guy Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:29 am
So were Barksdale and Jones really worth a 2nd and a 7th?
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If Barksdale starts at RT and Jones fills the PR need then HECK YEAH it was worth it!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Is it me, or does Al think they don’t have holes in run defense.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:32 am
I just hope the raiders scouts no more than us blog heads!!!
I sooooo hope so. Picks of need. Not sure that there the rite players chosen.
T jones after thinking bout it. DMAC has missed time each season he’s played so…
We will see.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:33 am
We get 2 more trenchmen 1 oline 1 Dline….
Cannon still on the board, and so is williams….
April 30th, 2011 at 10:33 am
DVD= stupid nickname
April 30th, 2011 at 10:33 am
So I guess Taiwan Jones will return kickoffs and Van Dyke will return punts.
Ok,,,
April 30th, 2011 at 10:33 am
Misdirection by Raiders. He supposedly missed a meeting predraft with Raiders.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:35 am
ohioraider Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Is it me, or does Al think they don’t have holes in run defense.
==============================================
I don’t think he cares about run defense…seriously…he’s all about getting to the QB and trying to force INTs with pressure….
The run defense? an afterthought…absolutely!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:35 am
21.J Hill Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Re-sign one guy and there is no need.
——————————————————
Can’t afford him.
Nnamdi = 14 million or so …
His replacement won’t make 1 million, lol.
++++++++++
You get what you pay for. Toasted secondary for the next few years….while Al picks DB after DB trying to replace him and the rest of the team suffers.
Business as usual.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Pretty Rick Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:33 am
So I guess Taiwan Jones will return kickoffs and Van Dyke will return punts.
Ok,,,
++++++++++++++++=
Over JFORD???? No way ….
April 30th, 2011 at 10:36 am
Overview
Outstanding junior RB who was injured for two games but still topped 221-1804-14 this past fall.
Surprise early declaree for the 2011 NFL Draft, and is a legitimate prospect. Invited to the NLF Combine
Strengths:
Breakaway speed, and will break a big run every few plays. Runs the middle hard despite not being a real big back. Has some unique moves, especially as he approaches the contact zone. Can make himself narrow and squirt through quick-closing holes. Can catch.
Weaknesses:
Will not break that many tackles at the next level. Runs a bit upright and may be injury prone. Desperately needs to add some muscle mass to his frame in order to take the pounding. Runs a little like Chris Johnson, and is similar, physically, to what he was coming out…though he lacks that kind of world-class speed. Must be used wisely and judiciously. Will never be much of a blocker.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:36 am
I knew we were going to pick him! I actually thought after we drafted another DB that next would be Taiwan!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:37 am
Man I wish we have kept Cable as draft-picker… this draft is not wisely done…
April 30th, 2011 at 10:37 am
The Blackhole Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:33 am
DVD= stupid nickname
///////////////////////////////
His initials….
April 30th, 2011 at 10:37 am
So: run d should rank 32 nd again. No chance to win more than 8 with no run D and jacamp at qb
April 30th, 2011 at 10:38 am
… Runs a little like Chris Johnson, and is similar, physically, to what he was coming out ….
April 30th, 2011 at 10:38 am
36.Pretty Rick Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:33 am
So I guess Taiwan Jones will return kickoffs and Van Dyke will return punts.
Ok,,,
——————————————
Exactly. And with these two critical “needs” filled, we get to the Super Bowl.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:39 am
Als love for speed…he gives the young guns at
least a decent example by telegraphing the choice in ultra speed
April 30th, 2011 at 10:39 am
So now we take McFadden or Bush off the field on third down? Two excellent pass catchers?
Great move.
Thank god we have such great WRs and run D!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:39 am
Thec07 Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Pretty Rick Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:33 am
So I guess Taiwan Jones will return kickoffs and Van Dyke will return punts.
Ok,,,
++++++++++++++++=
Over JFORD???? No way ….
///////////////////////////
Yes way if we want to use Ford more as a receiver
April 30th, 2011 at 10:39 am
@Pretty Rick, Ford will be in on that action too! Too much explosion to pull him from the duties imo.. Who of DVD and Jones are best returning punts?
April 30th, 2011 at 10:39 am
so will Andrew Luck our QB next season?
April 30th, 2011 at 10:41 am
Take Jones and Jerrell Powe….im thinking Cannon will be there in the 7th
April 30th, 2011 at 10:42 am
The 2012 summer Olympics are right around the corner….I predict 7 gold medals for the People’s Republic of Al.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:42 am
Thec 07,,a few posts ago I said JFord earned his way into the receiving line up so they’ll probably have focus mainly on being a receiver while Van Dyke or Jones contribute on special teams.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:42 am
What pick do we have in the 5th?
April 30th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Good pick by Greenbay! Cannon, Sturdivant, Virgil Green, Mims and Byron Bell are all good prospects for the late rds imo..
April 30th, 2011 at 10:43 am
I’m out. I can’t take the excitement.
Go Lakers!!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Maybe we could lose some of these scumbag agents with a rookie salary cap in place.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:44 am
Michael Bennet doesn’t impress me any more? Cartwright is a great mascot…
Think Hue’s trying to copy the Baltimore receipt of R. Rice, McClain and McGahee=McFadden, Bush and K. Jones?
So Free Agency get Vet WR, Vet Right Tackle and vet Full back (depth)?
April 30th, 2011 at 10:44 am
severeraiderz Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:39 am
Thec07 Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Pretty Rick Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:33 am
So I guess Taiwan Jones will return kickoffs and Van Dyke will return punts.
Ok,,,
++++++++++++++++=
Over JFORD???? No way ….
///////////////////////////
Yes way if we want to use Ford more as a receiver
+++++++++++++++++++++++++===
I am glad i dont smoke…
You want to replace JFORD who returned back how many KO’s for TD’s? Are you serious???? KO duties never hurt your ability or limit you in playing Wr….
See donald royal from denver…..
April 30th, 2011 at 10:44 am
Don’t forget Greg Jones or some big fat NT Harder, still have 3 picks so I’d be happy with one of them.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:44 am
You guys may be in need of perspective. We are in the 4th round. You don’t find a many starters in the 4th …many prob won’t make their teams. You draft potential here on out ..they all have ‘issues’.
Now Taiwan sounds like a legit contender for PR’r ..shifty player, elusive and fast + emergency rb
April 30th, 2011 at 10:45 am
severeraiderz Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:41 am
Take Jones and Jerrell Powe….im thinking Cannon will be there in the 7th
+++++++++++==
Jerrell Powe or Ian Williams would be solid…
April 30th, 2011 at 10:46 am
The Raiders may have the best third running back in football now.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Over JFORD???? No way ….
—————————————————–
Thec,
Your boy’s role as a WR is going to expand big time.
He is not even in the coversation for PR’r mayne. That’s already Jone’s job. And Jones will get some of the KRs as well.
Can’t have arguably your best WR taken out on a STs play.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:49 am
True Guy! Would personally love to see Jerrell Powe! Big ass NT!Great value!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:49 am
The more I think about it the more I kinda understand the pick. We really don’t know what deal is with Bush, and Let’s be honest with ourselves, Cartwright and Bennet are pretty much washed up. Sidebar,,, ran into Lawrence Taylor this morning at a gas station in Palm beach Florida, he was on his way to play some golf with his buddies,, but don’t worry there weren’t any 16yr old girls with him.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:49 am
J Hill Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Over JFORD???? No way ….
—————————————————–
Thec,
Your boy’s role as a WR is going to expand big time.
He is not even in the coversation for PR’r mayne. That’s already Jone’s job. And Jones will get some of the KRs as well.
Can’t have arguably your best WR taken out on a STs play.
+++++++++++++
Jhill, what up mayne…Yeah I know he wont do PR…
coming from an OG poster I will bite…Jones better get us some TD’s at KOR….
April 30th, 2011 at 10:50 am
Dakota Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:39 am
So now we take McFadden or Bush off the field on third down? Two excellent pass catchers?
—————————————————–
Relax mayne!
The guy is our PR.
He MAY get 2 or 3 chances a game to make a play in the offense.
He has a better chance of taking snaps from DHB and Murphy than McFadden or Bush.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:51 am
Dakota Says:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:39 am
So now we take McFadden or Bush off the field on third down? Two excellent pass catchers?
Great move.
————————————————
I don’t think so, Taiwan should return kicks and spell both of them, DMC can’t be counted on to play 16 games so Bush needs someone to complement him.
Taiwan could finally kick Rock Cartwright and Michael Bennett out of the roster saving a spot for someone else.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:51 am
Hue Jackson on ESPN at 11am
April 30th, 2011 at 10:52 am
Well, we picked two guys on the o-line, so at least there is that.
Still hope we address o-line in free agency because to rely on all these rookies and second year guys would be a huge gamble.
Still need to stop the run too….
Will still cross my fingers and hope it dawns on Al that Nnamdi’s do not grow on trees, and if he is going to put such a premium on that position then the best scenario is to re-sign the guy you already know is good and then move on to addressing our real needs instead of going through another dozen draft picks trying to find a guy that can do what you ask of CBs.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:53 am
Taiwan Jones. Really? Another RB? Another smurf? Al must have the fastest tesm cause its the smallest. Cant stop the run, cant pass protect
April 30th, 2011 at 10:53 am
lets draft Ricardo Lockette so we can replace that bust DHB
April 30th, 2011 at 10:54 am
Jerrell Powe would help stop the run! Great on running downs! Really a good runstopper!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:55 am
Jacoby Ford is going to return SOME KO’s. No way they completely shut that down.
But Jones gets all the PRs and will get at least half the KO returns.
If Jackson has Ford as the #1 WR, then it wouldn’t surprise me to only see Ford return KOs in “need” situations.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:55 am
taiwan jones is a great VALUE pick for all of u experts. the man is fast and is already our best pure open field runner on the team. we had no speed in the backfield when dmc was out. there were times bush couldnt turn the corner against sf when dmc wouldve. also he gives us options as a extra return man on punts and he can be opposite of ford on kickoffs. now u cant kick away from ford without taking a chance on jones taking it back. its about options. he can catch and if he is close to chris johnson how the hell can yall complain. this is just like kc taking McCluster last year when they already had jones and charles.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:55 am
@the Blackhole, Terrence Toliver would supply a possession WR, that could be good too!
April 30th, 2011 at 10:58 am
No need for running back N.O draft Ingram when they have Bush,Pieere,Steckler and more and they are genius
We have ame breakers Bennett and Cartwright we have to many?
April 30th, 2011 at 10:58 am
Dakota,
You are right on the money with your post. Al will NEGLECT just about every other need until he finds a replacement to the one guy that can play CB the way HE WANTS IT PLAYED!
Neglect depth or competition at just about every position because 3 picks a year are dedicated to DBs and speed….
Will only get worse if the secondary gets scorched this year.
April 30th, 2011 at 10:59 am
Yeah I like him too
April 30th, 2011 at 11:00 am
i see a dose of reality is in order for some of u who r still delusional about this:
NNAMDI IS NOT COMING BACK!!
money is not the issue. he is gon and theres nothing al can do about that. . get ova it!
our needs at OL and CB are indisputable. we are addressing our needs. this is good!
will these guys we r drafting work out? we have no idea. please dont pretend u really know how mid round picks r gonna pan out, much less higher round picks.
all we can hope for is that we draft positions of need
April 30th, 2011 at 11:01 am
new post..
April 30th, 2011 at 11:05 am
Just to let you know #3 in the N.F.L last year aganist the pass in a QB Pass freindly leauge Ware,Mc Fad, Brown all make Team you need alot of speed in your secondary
April 30th, 2011 at 11:33 am
[...] The lone departure from these two areas of need occurred in the 4th round as the Raiders picked Eastern Washington running back Taiwan Jones with the 125th pick. [...]
April 30th, 2011 at 11:34 am
Just like JONTRAIN said ASO isn’t coming back, it would take a miracle for him to come back buy. But you guys fail to mention that there is something called FREE AGENCY!
1)Cromartie
2)Braylon Edwards
3) Santonio Holmes
4) Sidney Rice
You tell me none of those guys can fill any of our needs? And we must address everything in the Draft!!!! Give me a break!
December 7th, 2011 at 11:29 am
Kaohsiung Jobs…
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January 6th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
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