Jones’ stock with Lions continues to rise
Green Bay, Wis. — It’s becoming more and more apparent that the Detroit Lions found a bargain in Marvin Jones.
For the third consecutive week, Jones was the Lions’ leading receiver. In the 34-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers, he established a pair of career-bests, scoring a 73-yard touchdown at the end of the first half and finishing with 205 receiving yards.
“He’s been trending that way,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “Last week, he caught a bunch of balls for us. This week, he was able to make some things happen against man and zone coverages.”
Jones has gone over 100 yards each of the past two games and comfortably sits atop the NFL leaderboard with 408 yards after three weeks.
Against the Packers, each of Jones’ receptions were at least 17 yards with three gains of 35 or longer. Quarterback Matthew Stafford said the downfield attack was in response to the defense the opposition was playing.
Justin Rogers' Lions grades: Jones electric, defense terrible
“It wasn’t a personnel thing as much as it was a scheme thing,” Stafford said. “These guys were challenging us to throw the ball on the outside part of the field and make them pay for it. We were able to do that in the second half and the latter part of the first.”
On multiple plays, Jones came down with the ball despite tight coverage from a Green Bay defensive back. He explained his mentality in those situations.
“I’m going to win 100 percent of the time,” Jones said. “As a receiver, you have to have that mentality. If you don’t have that mentality, you shouldn’t be playing receiver. I think when I’m on the sideline, whenever the ball is up (in the air), I get the ball.”
Jones’ early-season success has helped the Lions overcome the loss of Calvin Johnson, who retired this offseason. Just don’t ask Jones about that.
“I’ve answered these questions and I don’t want to hear another question about that,” Jones said. “We’re here to win games. All that other stuff, the accomplishments, what I did today, it really doesn’t matter. I’m here to put my team in the best position and win. Winning Trumps everything.”
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
twitter.com/justin_rogers
Wojo: Half a game doesn't leave Lions half a chance
