
In this episode, we interview Terry Jones Jr., Former Alabama and Baltimore Ravens Tight End player back in the early 00’s. We dive in his early days in high school, where he highly considered playing basketball than football. He played four years at the University of Alabama, the alma mater of his father, Terry Jones Sr., who was a defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers from 1978-84. He was selected in fifth round, 155th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2002 NFL Draft.
Guest
Terry Jones Jr. – @SouthCobbHFC
Contributors
Justin Riley – @JustinRiley7
Santiago Leon @sleon
Show Notes
-1999 SEC Champion
-All-SEC
-Team Captain his senior year
-Member of the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers
High School:
-His Dad played at Alabama (1974-1977) and 8 years for the Green Bay Packers
-His Dad played with Ozzie Newsome at Alabama
-His Dad has been a Strength & Conditioning Coach at Alabama for over 30 years
-Terry Jones Jr played at Tuscaloosa Central
-Played football and basketball (PF)
-First love was basketball
-Named All-State
-Didn’t play his senior year because he missed off season workout due to basketball. His coach demanded that he make them up, but Terry Jones Jr refused. Neither side backed down. So, he missed his senior year.
- • Can you tell us about your recruiting process and did missing your senior year affect it?
- • What about Alabama made it feel like home for you?
-Considered playing football and basketball at Alabama
-His second choice was Indiana or Georgia Tech
Alabama:
-Same recruiting class as Ahmaad Galloway, Tyler Watts, Cornelius Griffin, Freddie Milons, and Marvin Constant
-Dad was the strength coach at that time
-Came when the program was rebuilding
- • I like to talk about this with each of the players we’ve interviewed from the Alabama squad of this era. During this time, the Crimson Tide wasn’t like what the modern-day fan is accustomed to. We were rebuilding under Coach Mike Dubose. What was the atmosphere like for you at that time?
- • Shaun Alexander was the centerpiece of the 1999 offense that eventually captured the SEC title that year. However, we got a glimpse of how great you could be that year. How did you transition so well during your first year as a starter?
- • We had a special team in 1999. Two big milestones were accomplished. We defeated Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium for the first time ever and won the SEC Championship for the first time since 1992. What was the bigger accomplishment and were those experiences like?
-In 2000, Alabama was favored to win the national championship
-finished 3-8 and Mike Dubose was fired
-He suffered a season-ending injury - • After being the favorite to win the national championship in 2000, we finished 3-8 and head coach Mike Dubose was fired. Your teammate Ahmaad Galloway said some of it was due to not having an offensive identity and lacking some leadership. What do you feel led to that horrible season?
-Dennis Francione was hired to replace Mike Dubose in 2001
-First time Alabama hired outside of the “Bear Bryant” coaching family - • After Dennis Francione was hired, I can remember walking by the practice field after my workouts at the old weight room at the Aquatic Center. I could hear a long absent excitement coming from the players. What was the atmosphere like during that transition?
- • You were coming back from injury for your final season. What goals did you have going into 2001?
- • We lost some close games in 2001, but improvement was very evident. It seemed that we saved our best game for the Iron Bowl that season. No one gave us a chance. We stunned Auburn 31-7 at their house. Can you go through that experience for us?
-Finished the 2001 season with a win vs Iowa State in the Independence Bowl
NFL:
- What were scouts telling you leading up to the 2002 NFL Draft?
- How was your Combine/Pro Day?
-Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the 5th round, 155th overall, of the 2002 NFL Draft
-During his time there, Baltimore struggle to find a QB: Chris Redman, Kyle Boller, Anthony Wright
-Offense wasn’t very innovative
-The Ravens’ offensive identity was Jamal Lewis
-Had to share time with Todd Heap - You were drafted in the 5th round by the Ravens. You were an excellent pass catcher at Alabama. What role did the coaching staff tell you initially that you were going to fill; especially after they selected Todd Heap in the previous draft?
- It felt like Baltimore had trouble finding their identity outside of Jamal Lewis; especially at QB. They couldn’t come up with an answer. With that being said, is that why you may have been underutilized in the passing game?
-Traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2005
You think Lamar Jackson can bring a Super Bowl to Baltimore again?
AAFL (All-American Football League):
-After spending a season with the 49ers, he was released
-A new football league, The All-American Football League (AAFL), was formed
-Drafted by the Alabama team located in Birmingham
- Just like that, your time in the NFL was cut short. However, a new league, the AAFL, was formed. You were drafted by Alabama’s franchise. How did this come about and what were they telling you leading up to the league’s draft?
-The league had a start date of 2006, but it eventually got postponed year after year until it finally folded
-Not a single game was played - You had a roster spot with the Alabama squad. However, there was just one problem, The AAFL could never get off the ground. What were they telling you and the other players?
- Why did this league not work and was anyone compensated at all for their troubles?
Before the league eventually came to a close, every player was released. At that point in your career, what did you feel like your next step was? Were you done with football?
Coaching:
- Your time in the league was complete. Was becoming a coach your first option? If so, why do you feel that God led you down this path?
- What takeaways from Mike Dubose, Dennis Francione, and Brian Billick do you incorporate into your coaching style?
- We all know the player Terry Jones Jr. Who is Coach Jones?
- What are the biggest lessons that you’ve learned from Alabama and the NFL that you are trying to teach your players?
- Do you have any plans to coach in college?
Rapid Fire:
- (From Marvin Constant) Your career at Alabama was very explosive. One moment came at your home. Can you tell us about the time that your teammate Marvin Constant set off a bag of fireworks in your living room?
- (From Adam Hall) Your first love was basketball. You had some serious skill. That was evident during pickup basketball games. If you could go back in time, would you have played both basketball and football at Alabama?
- Sticking with basketball, there was a player, Erwin Dudley, who was on the basketball team at that time. He played your former position. Did y’all ever play a pickup game against each other and if so, who won?
- What does Terry Jones Jr look like in a Nick Saban/Steve Sarkisian offense?
- What was the best BBQ spot in Tuscaloosa?
- Who did you want to beat more, Auburn or Tennessee?
- Which Alabama player from this past NFL Draft would you pick on your Fantasy Football team?
who was the best player you played against
Jeveon Kearse
which college football game was the most memorable for you
- You think Lamar Jackson can bring a Super Bowl to Baltimore again?
- Would you ever consider being a recruiter
- Kobe or Lebron – Lebron
- who’s the best
Poll Question
Which is your favorite chocolate chip cookie? #NationalChocolateChipCookieDay
Chip’s Ahoy- 41.7%, Famous Amos- 41.7%, Tate’s 16.7%, Lenny & Larry’s
Terry- Chips Ahoy
Justin- Chips Ahoy
Vote here:
https://twitter.com/thesportscast1/status/1289161460568846336