Marcus Jones on TUF

by LeeCaz on Nov 5, 2009 2:06 PM EST Comment 10 comments

In case any you haven't been watching this season's "The Ultimate Fighter" on Spike TV, former Buccaneers' first round draft pick Marcus Jones is participating in this year's competition. Jones was selected 22nd overall out of the University of North Carolina as a Defensive End.

Although Jones was huge (6'6 270) he never really panned out for the Bucs. His career lasted seven seasons, but the only two years he was really productive were 1999 and 2000, in which he tallied 7 and 13 sacks respectively. I think it would be fair to say that he was a pretty gigantic bust. The reason for this may have been found on last night's episode.

SPOILERS AHEAD

In an interview prior to Jones' absolute destruction of a man 6 inches shorter than him (Mike Wessel)on last night's episode, Jones stated that he "never developed a head for the game" and never really loved to play football. He went on to state that he has put all of his life into being the best MMA Fighter he can be.

As a Bucs fan, I was pretty taken aback by this admission. It explained so much. I guess part of me realizes that you can't blame the guy for entering the draft, and obviously he can't help where he gets picked. But he strung us Bucs fans along for seven long years while we waited for him to live up to his potential. Obviously that day never came. Now to sit there and hear him pretty much just say that he was just never that into it is extremely disappointing. Was he that good of an actor? Is he just making excuses for a failed NFL career or did the coaching staff keep rewarding a player with a roster spot that didn't really have his heart set on producing on the field.

Just something to think about. Obviously this old news, and has nothing to do with the current plight of our beloved Buccaneers, but it still bothered me and I thought I would do a little write up about it. What do you guys think?

For the record, Jones did really impress me his Jiu Jitsu skills, he arm barred Wessel in about 30 seconds. It would have been nice to see what he could have done on the gridiron had his heart been in it.

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Comments

You know

Some times a persons body is built differently than his heart. He couldn’t help that his body gave him all of the advantages on the field; And if someone is willing to give you millions of dollars; it’s hard to say no. I say good for him to have had found something he loves. A lot of people search their entire lives looking for that

by shadowchicken on Nov 5, 2009 2:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Very true.

Jones also talked about his love of gardening in a previous episode. He is a strange individual for sure. Odd for such duality to be within one individual.

"Three or four plane crashes and we're in the playoffs" - John McCay

by LeeCaz on Nov 5, 2009 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think

the NFL is full of guys just collecting paychecks (clayton) who do good at first and then cruise while doing just enough to keep getting paid.

by bucfanlostiniowa on Nov 5, 2009 6:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

but at least the fact that the players can be released at any time should be keeping their heads in the game to a certain extent. A guy like Julius Peppers is a perfect example. He only shows up about once every four games (unless it’s a contract year)

I think that the majority of the players that make it onto the field are committed to being the best they can be at their positions. Most of the guys that don’t want to be in there might steal a paycheck for a season or two, but I don’t think they last much longer than that.

"Three or four plane crashes and we're in the playoffs" - John McKay

by LeeCaz on Nov 5, 2009 6:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Peppers confuses me. I'll admit I don't watch many Panthers games outside of when they play the Bucs

But he went from dominant force to a no one. He seems to be on the up swing but I don’t know if we should attribute his downfall to double teams, gameplanning, or if it was a personal thing.

Signature space available for rent - Got to pay the bills somehow

by Buc Wild on Nov 5, 2009 9:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well I remember

One of their old Dlineman saying that their whole defensive line, Peppers included, lacked heart, which would be a large factor. Size and strength mean nothing without the drive.

by NewLogic on Nov 5, 2009 10:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs