Special teams have been a major issue for the Denver Broncos the last three seasons.
In fact, one could state that’s the case for the entire John “Take a Knee” Fox tenure in Denver. Over that time, the Broncos’ special teams is best known for their returner getting blown up by a punter.
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John Elway and new head coach Gary Kubiak took the first when they hired Joe DeCamillis as the special teams coordinator. They will take another step when they Col-cut punter Britton Colquitt after June 1 to save the dead money they would eat when they do. We’ve mentioned Ndamukong Suh, Bryan Bulaga and Jerome Felton as players Elway and the Broncos should at least keep an eye on. Here’s another, and it makes total sense.
The next step for the Denver special teams is to sign Jacoby Jones, who was released by the Baltimore Ravens. Broncos Country knows about Jones and he probably still gives fans nightmares. He caught the Hail Mary pass in the playoff game at Mile High two years ago. You remember the play. The one where Rahim Moore tried to make a name for himself instead of doing his job.
Jones also made one of the key plays in the Ravens’ Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers with his kickoff return for a touchdown. That’s the role he would have in Denver.
Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Bengals defeated the Ravens 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
What helps is that Jones played last season in Kubiak’s and Rick Dennison’s offense. Jones would take the place of the inept Andre Caldwell as the fourth receiver but also solidify the return game.
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You can rest assured that Jones won’t get blown up by a punter. In that role, Jones has returned five kickoffs for touchdowns and four punts for TDs in his career. His stats as a receiver aren’t that impressive, 203 catches for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns. But Denver would only use him as the fourth option behind Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Cody Latimer.
Why Elway and the Broncos need to get Jones is because of what he does in special teams. At any point he can a return a kick for a touchdown – and he’s shown he can do punts as well. Denver needs that consistent threat.
Not to mention the familiarity he has with Kubiak, who drafted Jones to the Texans. Jones’ best season as a receiver in the NFL came in Kubiak’s offense in 2010 when he had 51 catches 562 yards and three touchdowns.
Given the struggles the Broncos have had on special teams, Jones is a guy they have to keep an eye on. He’s another piece in the puzzle to solve the mess that’s been that aspect of the game for Denver the last four seasons.
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Sep 23, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive tackle Mitch Unrein (96) during the second half against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 37-21. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports