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‘Special stuff’: Why Patriots CB Marcus Jones’s October was one to remember
A new contract extension and an AFC Defensive Player of the Month award have given Jones reason to smile.
Zak Kuhr offered a succinct response when he was asked what he’s been seeing from Marcus Jones lately.
“A big smile on his face,” the Patriots’ interim defensive play-caller said.
There are plenty of reasons for the veteran cornerback to be grinning. Jones was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month on Thursday, just two days after inking a three-year contract extension with the Patriots.
He explained what the new contract meant to him while dressed as “Sonic the Hedgehog” at a Halloween party the Patriots and Revolution put on for local children who are battling cancer.
It’s only fitting that the dynamic returner was wearing a costume that symbolized speed while displaying some of the leadership qualities that have his coaches raving about him.
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“He’s the same guy day in and day out,” Kuhr said. “He is the definition of our team identity. I’m so happy for him. He deserves that [award]. He hasn’t changed a bit, working his tail off out there, making plays out there in practice. It’s well deserved for him.”
Special teams coach Jeremy Springer called Jones after the news broke. The 5-foot-8, 188-pound defensive back made his mark this month, not only by picking off Josh Allen in a key moment in the Patriots’ upset over the bills, but also making his presence felt in the run game.
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He’s tied with Milton WIlliams for second on the team in tackles for loss [6]. He’s fourth on the team in tackles [36], and has the most among Patriots defensive backs. The Patriots have occasionally sent him on blitzes, and he became one of seven New England players to record a sack this season.
“Everything is earned. Everything he has gotten in this league, he’s had to earn it. Probably his whole life, with size and length and all that good stuff,” Springer said. “He just proves it with his play and his style and also his off-the-field stuff. I know [Mike] Vrabel has said it. He’s such a good leader.”
The award recognized Jones for his defense, but he has been stellar in the return game as well. He was dominant against the Panthers, dashing for an 87-yard punt return touchdown on Sept. 29. He finished with 167 total punt return yards on the day after nearly scoring on another. He and Tampa Bay’s Kameron Johnson are the only players in the league with multiple 40+ yard punt returns this season.
Jones is third in the NFL in punt return yards (216), and he has at least three fewer attempts than everyone else in the top 5.
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“I’ve always said his decision-making is top-tier and it still is, but his ability to set returns up [sets him apart],” Springer said. “Guys just don’t get the angles that he guys that are running down have to present. He has a really good natural knack to feel the return, feel where it’s going to go, and set his guys up that way.”
The Patriots haven’t used Jones on offense the way they have in previous years, but his impact in two of the three phases of the game has been game-changing.
“I’d say he’s doing some special stuff out there,” Kuhr said. “That’s not to say that’s not league wide, I’ve been around a couple of guys who are like that, but he really is playing a complete game right now with the run game, his number being called on pressures, coverage, ball disruption and obviously special teams so he’s doing some pretty special things right now.”
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