Receiver presents lofty challenge

By Scott Brown | Monday, Sept. 18, 2006

It seems inconceivable that a man who stands 6-foot-6 still has a growth spurt in him.

Truth is, Matt Jones, the tallest in a group of Jacksonville wide receivers who resemble redwoods next to Pittsburgh's defensive backs, may have several of them in his future.

The second-year pro is settling into the position at which he got a crash course last season. The more comfortable Jones gets catching passes instead of throwing them, the more discomfort he figures to cause defenses.

Allow Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich to explain.

"I always call him the X-factor, because he's a freak, man," Leftwich said. "Here's a guy, 6-6, 235, 240 pounds, that can run, that can jump, that can catch the good balls, catch the low balls, catch the high balls."

There is no telling what he can do on a football field, considering he set a team record for touchdown receptions (five) by a rookie wide receiver, even though he didn't play the position in college.

Jones starred at quarterback for the University of Arkansas - he is second on the school's all-time list for passing yards and touchdown passes - before the Jaguars made him the 18th overall pick of the 2005 draft and switched his position.

The progress he makes this season took on added importance when Jimmy Smith, the franchise's all-time leading receiver, retired last May.

"I'm not thinking as much right at the beginning of the route, like, should I go inside to start, should I go outside, and just reacting and letting things happen," Jones said during the Jaguars' training camp. "Things are flowing a little better."

Said Leftwich: "Last year at this time, he was still a quarterback in his head and in his mind. This year, he's a wide receiver. He's a guy that worked his tail off, and now he understands the wide receiver position."

The size advantage Jacksonville's wideouts have on Pittsburgh's defensive backs is a concern for Steelers coach Bill Cowher heading into today's 8:30 p.m. game at Alltel Stadium.

Reggie Williams, another former first-round pick who stands 6-4, starts opposite Jones, and 6-4 Ernest Wilford is the Jaguars' third wide receiver.

Pittsburgh's tallest starter in the secondary is cornerback Ike Taylor (6-1).

"It's like playing against a bunch of fast tight ends," said safety Troy Polamalu, who is 5-10.

That is particularly true in the case of Jones, whose unique blend of size and speed is not the only reason the Steelers have to worry about him.

Jones has gained firmer grasp on the nuances of his position, and he creates mismatches wherever he lines up.

The Steelers must also be wary of a trick play for Jones, since he has the ability to throw if he gets the ball on a reverse.

He completed two passes last season and gained 25 yards on a run.

In an attempt to accelerate his evolution as a wide receiver, Jones, who caught 36 passes for 432 yards in 2005, studied tapes of some of the NFL's top pass catchers during training camp.

It apparently was time well spent.

Jones caught five passes for a team-high 71 yards in the Jaguars' 24-17 win over the Cowboys, and all signs indicate it was only a beginning for him.

One area in which Jones said he hopes to make significant strides this season is using his size and strength to his advantage when smaller defensive backs try to jam him at the line of scrimmage.

"He is so far ahead with the season under his belt and then a good offseason under his belt," Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said. "We just feel like he is prepared to give us a jolt this year."

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