Matt Jones turning heads … for the right reasons

Former UA quarterback Matt Jones, more than three weeks after his arrest on charges of cocaine possession in Fayetteville, is turning a few heads for his on-the-field hustle rather than his lack of desire, according to the Florida Times-Union.

Jones attended a workout in Greensboro, N.C., a week after his arrest and caught balls from former Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner. The workout was organized by former NFL receiver Ricky Proehl.

Here’s more from the Times-Union’s Gene Frenette:

Though Skinner only knew Jones by his questionable reputation, the former Bolles School standout observed a different player in his two days with Jones at the Proehlific Park Sports Complex.

“I don’t know what’s going on with everything [with the Jaguars], but [Jones] was there early in the morning with Ricky [Proehl] and taking every pointer, getting Ricky to critique his routes,” Skinner said. “It looked to me that [Jones] was busting it, trying to do whatever he could to gain an edge.”

Who knows if this means a different Matt Jones will emerge in 2008? The fact that he sought instruction from Proehl, a third-round draft pick who lasted 16 NFL seasons and earned two Super Bowl rings, and put forth an effort to prepare for training camp after his public-relations disaster, was a step in the right direction.

Jones’ future in Jacksonville is still up in the air, though. Said head coach Jack Del Rio on Monday, Jones’ Jaguars future is “at a crossroad. We’ll see.”

So far in camp, coaches acknowledge that Jones looks to be trying harder, but they’re not convinced it will result in a transformation.

Jones might be helped by the fact that Jerry Porter and Mike Walker are recovering from injuries during training camp.

Jones addressed the media last week for the first time since his arrest and tried to quiet everyone’s concerns that his heart isn’t and never was into playing football.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to [play football],” Jones said. “I’ve grown up around it my whole life. I love the game.”

– Brandon Marcello

Photo: Jacksonville Jaguars’ Matt Jones, right, makes a catch over defensive back Drayton Florence during the first day of football training camp Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)

Filed under: Arkansas Football by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: July 30, 2008 at 1:36 pm