Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The drafting of Jarvis Jones with their first-round pick back in the 2013 NFL Draft marked the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ rebuilding process of the defensive side of the ball.
The strength of the Steelers’ defense in their two Super Bowl victories in the mid and late 2000s were their outside linebackers. Joey Porter, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley all were able to pressure the quarterback without sending extra players, as well as be able to defend receivers and tight ends in obvious passing situations.
Jones has yet to live up to the standards set before him. A combination of injuries and poor play have left Pittsburgh fans with a sour taste in their mouths and a real question about whether or not Jarvis Jones is the answer on the outside.
In his defense, by the time Jones suffered his wrist injury while playing a Week 3 game against the Carolina Panthers, he had already recorded 14 tackles and two sacks in the young season. Clear improvements were being made to his game. He had finally become a full-time starter, increasing his playing time on the field. His talent was evident in the first two weeks, prior to the injury. However, that has always been the problem with Jones.
Coming out of Georgia, he was praised for his ability to rush the passer and cover on throws. With a 3-4 Pittsburgh scheme that features a lot of zone blitzes and linebackers covering pass catchers, drafting him was easy. He seemed like the perfect replacement for James Harrison.
However, his durability was a recurring problem when he was a Bulldog and a problem last season. In Week 3 of last season, he injured his wrist making a tackle and he was forced to miss most of the season. In college, a neck injury almost ended his career prematurely as a freshman.
With Harrison back in black and gold, and draft pick Bud Dupree expecting to get a lot of playing time, linebacker depth is not a problem in Pittsburgh. Playing time for the four staring linebackers will be determined by skill and durability.
The question now: Can Jarvis Jones’ body hold up in the National Football League?
Daniel Johnson is a Beat Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter. “Like” him on Facebook. Add him to your network on Google.
