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WR JAMES JONES #89
6' 1" 218 lbs. San Jose State

Exp: 2nd NFL Season, 2nd Packers Season
Age: 24
Acquired: Draft 2007 (3a)
Current Status: Active Roster
 
  • Held the No. 3 receiver spot his entire rookie season, catching 47 passes for 676 yards and two TDs, including a 79-yarder on Monday Night Football at Denver, the longest TD catch by a Green Bay rookie since Max McGee's 82-yarder in 1954
  • Last year's totals ranked fourth all-time among Green Bay rookies, and third amongst all 2007 NFL rookies, behind Dwayne Bowe and Calvin Johnson
  • Finished his career at San Jose State third all-time in receptions with 126. His 70 catches (fourth) and 10 TDs (third) in 2006 also rank high on school's single-season record list
  • Played QB in high school and completed three option passes in college
  • Became first Packers draftee from San Jose State in 33 years
  • Moved around to different homeless shelters as a child before moving in with his grandmother in high school
Pro Summary
  • Talented and physical third-round pick quickly earned No. 3 receiver job and held it his entire rookie season
  • Posted one of the top pass-catching seasons in Green Bay annals for a rookie, with his 47 catches and 676 yards both ranking fourth in club history
  • Reception total trailed only Sterling Sharpe (55, 1988), Billy Howton (53, 1952) and RB Gerry Ellis (48, 1980) in team's rookie record book, while yardage total trailed only Howton (1,231), James Lofton (818, 1978) and Sharpe (791)
  • His totals also ranked third, respectively, among all 2007 NFL rookies behind Kansas City's Dwayne Bowe (70-995) and Detroit's Calvin Johnson (48-756)
  • Also caught two TD passes, including a 79-yarder on Monday Night Football in Denver (Oct. 29), the longest TD catch by a Green Bay rookie in 53 years (Max McGee, 82 yards, 1954)
  • Sure-handedness and run-after-the-catch ability drew attention in college at San Jose State, where he played 44 games (21 starts) and caught 126 passes for 1,496 yards (11.2 avg.) and 12 touchdowns
  • Ranks third in school history in receptions and 11th in yards
  • Also completed three option passes, one for a TD, for the Spartans
  • Posted one of the best receiving seasons in school history as a senior in 2006, catching 70 passes for 893 yards and 10 TDs
  • Was his team's big-play guy, being involved in seven plays of 40 yards or longer that season
  • The first of two third-round draft picks by Green Bay in 2007, voiced on draft day how excited he was to be selected, having come from very humble beginnings
  • At times he and his mother moved around to different homeless shelters, at times going to bed hungry and getting by however they could
  • In high school, in order to help his mother get back on her feet, moved in with his paternal grandmother, who forced him to take special education classes during his early high school years to keep up academically
  • Was a three-sport star at Gunderson H.S. (San Jose) who played quarterback on the football team, an early sign of the various ways his athletic talents would be utilized on his hometown college football squad
  • Became the fifth player drafted by the Packers from San Jose State and the first since 1974, when linebacker Emanuel Armstrong was chosen in the 13th round
2007 Season
  • Played in all 16 games with nine starts, and played in both playoff contests
  • Started the first two games of the season as the second receiver, then played as No. 3 for the next 12 games, after Greg Jennings (hamstring) returned to the lineup; started vs. Minnesota (Nov. 11), with the team opening in a three-receiver set, again at Dallas (Nov. 29) in the team's four-receiver formation, and once again at St. Louis (Dec. 16) with the team beginning five-wide
  • Started vs. Detroit (Dec. 30), with both Donald Driver and Jennings inactive
  • Finished fourth on the team with 47 catches for 676 yards - both totals good for third in the league among rookies, behind Kansas City's Bowe (70-995) and Detroit's Johnson (48-756) - and two touchdowns
  • Reception and yardage totals also rank fourth in club history for a rookie
  • Finished the preseason tied for first in the NFL with 21 receptions and his 233 receiving yards ranked third, with two TDs
  • In his first NFL game, vs. Philadelphia (Sept. 9), started as the No. 2 receiver and caught four passes for 29 yards, including two 8-yard grabs on back-to-back plays
  • Started at New York Giants (Sept. 16), caught four passes for 75 yards. In the second quarter, beat CB Corey Webster down the left sideline and caught a pass for a game-long 46 yards; four plays later, DeShawn Wynn ran in a 6-yard TD for a 7-0 Green Bay lead. On the team's first third-quarter drive, caught passes of 5 and 17 yards on consecutive plays, the latter on third-and-6; Bubba Franks caught a 2-yard TD to finish the series and give the Packers a 14-10 advantage
  • Vs. San Diego (Sept. 23), caught a season-high six passes for 79 yards, serving as the No. 3 receiver with the return of Jennings. Caught passes of 22 and 26 yards in the first quarter
  • Started at Minnesota (Sept. 30), with the offense opening with a three-receiver set, and caught his first career touchdown, beating CB Marcus McCauley down the right sideline for a 33-yard score in the fourth quarter; the TD gave Green Bay a 23-9 lead in the eventual 23-16 victory; the pass marked Brett Favre's 422nd touchdown toss
  • Vs. Chicago (Oct. 7), caught five passes for 61 yards, with a long of 23 yards on third-and-7 in the first quarter
  • At Denver (Oct. 29), posted his first career 100-yard game and earned 'Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week' honors after catching three passes for 107 yards, including a career-long 79-yard TD. In the first quarter, on the first play of the Packers' second drive, caught a long pass down the right sideline and cut back across the field on his way to the 79-yard score. It marked the longest TD catch by a Packers rookie since 1954, when McGee caught an 82-yarder
  • Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 11), started the game, with the team opening in a three-receiver set, and made three catches for 62 yards. Caught a 37-yard pass in the fourth quarter, setting up a Ruvell Martin TD three plays later, the final score in the 34-0 Green Bay shutout
  • Vs. Carolina (Nov. 18), made three catches for 25 yards; caught a pass for 13 yards on third-and-4 in the second quarter, setting up a 4-yard Jennings TD two plays later
  • At Detroit (Nov. 22), caught five passes for 75 yards. Caught an 18-yard pass in the second quarter; Ryan Grant punched in a 5-yard score two plays later. Later in the quarter, made a 20-yard reception that set up a field goal and gave Green Bay a 17-9 lead entering halftime
  • At Dallas (Nov. 29), caught three passes for 39 yards, including a 19-yard catch on third-and-10
  • At St. Louis (Dec. 16), started the game as an extra receiver in the five-wideout set, and caught two passes for 29 yards. In the third quarter, caught an 8-yard pass on third-and-8, the drive ending with a field goal
  • Played in both playoff contests
  • Vs. Seattle (Jan. 12) caught three passes for 42 yards
  • In the first quarter, caught a 31-yard pass on third-and-6, the Packers' longest reception of the game. In the second quarter, caught an 8-yard pass on third-and-6 on a series that would finish with a 3-yard Grant TD to give Green Bay a 28-17 lead
College
  • In 44 games at San Jose State, started 21 and caught 126 passes for 1,496 yards (11.2 avg.) and 12 touchdowns
  • Also ran the ball 24 times for 126 yards (5.3 avg.) with one score and completed 3 of 7 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown
  • On special teams, returned 42 punts for 307 yards (7.3 avg.) and made nine tackles (six solo)
  • His 126 career catches stand third in school history behind Guy Liggins (149, 1986-87) and Tim Kearse (142, 1980-82), and his 1,496 yards receiving rank 11th in school annals
  • Came into his own as a full-time starter and team leader during senior season of 2006, beginning the year with a 130-yard, three-TD day at Washington (Sept. 2), one of four 100-yard games on the year, the last coming in New Mexico Bowl victory
  • Went on to catch 70 passes for 893 yards and 10 TDs, one of the best receiving seasons in school history, earning second-team All-Western Athletic Conference and team MVP honors
  • His 70 receptions rank fourth on San Jose State's single-season record list behind Edell Shepherd (83 in 2001) and Liggins (77 in 1987 and 72 in 1986), while his 10 TDs rank third behind Shepherd (14 in 2001) and Oliver Newell (11 in 1997)
  • Showed his big-play ability on one of the highlight-reel plays of the 2006 college football season, running for 42 yards on a reverse for the game-winning TD against Stanford (Sept. 9) during which he dodged tacklers on the strong side of the play, reversed his field and with the help of a couple of key blocks raced all the way up the other sideline to the end zone
  • That play, named ESPN's "Play of the Day," was just one of seven plays of 40 yards or longer he was involved in as a senior
  • Another came on a 47-yard touchdown pass (vs. San Diego State, Sept. 30), three were touchdown receptions of 50, 50 and 42 yards, and the two others were a 43-yard catch and a 49-yard punt return
  • Finished season with 11 rushes for 76 yards (6.9 avg.) with a TD and 11 punt returns for 121 yards (11.0 avg.), and was 2-of-6 passing for 57 yards and a TD, leading the team with an average of 83.85 all-purpose yards per game
  • Turned in stellar performance in close 23-20 loss vs. eventual Fiesta Bowl champion Boise State (Nov. 11) with eight catches for 88 yards and two TDs on passes of 10 and 3 yards, the latter coming early in the fourth quarter to give San Jose State a 20-12 lead
  • As a junior in 2005, played in 11 games, starting three at split end
  • Ranked second on the team with 30 receptions for 278 yards (9.3 avg.) and one TD
  • Picked up 48 yards on eight carries (6.0 avg.) and 106 yards on 20 punt returns (5.3 avg.)
  • Also totaled five tackles (four solo) on special teams
  • During sophomore season of 2004, started six of 11 contests, ranking second on the team with 25 receptions for 317 yards (12.7 avg.) and a TD
  • Served as team's primary punt returner the first half of the season, with 11 punt returns for 80 yards (7.3 avg.)
  • Added five carries for 2 yards and one solo tackle
  • Snared career-long 67-yard TD pass vs. Morgan State (Sept. 18) in first 100-yard game (four catches, 102 yards)
  • Saw limited action in nine games as redshirt freshman in 2003, with one reception for 8 yards at Florida (Aug. 30)
  • Played special teams and was a reserve long snapper, recording three tackles (one solo)
  • Majored in sociology
Personal
  • Given name James Deandre Jones
  • Nicknamed 'Dingo', a moniker given to him by his college teammates in reference to the muscular professional wrestler the Dingo Warrior, when during his first college weight room workout he bench-pressed 225 pounds an impressive 16 times
  • Born in San Jose, Calif
  • .Engaged to be married this July to Tamika Greer
  • Faced some tough times growing up, as he and his mother moved around to different homeless shelters at times; eventually moved in with his paternal grandmother during high school to help his mother get back on her feet
  • His humble beginnings influenced him to become actively involved in community events upon entering the NFL
  • Spoke to guests at the Boys and Girls Club of Green Bay, to cadets at the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy, and to students at Appleton (Wis.) North H.S. about the challenges he faced growing up
  • In addition, assisted with a skills camp for kids at the Boys and Girls Club, helped to refurbish the Green Bay West H.S. football field as part of the Home Depot Neighborhood MVP Program, and helped with improvements at Golden House, a local domestic abuse shelter, as part of the local United Way's NFL Hometown Huddle
  • Also participated in events to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Donald Driver Foundation, and received the 'Nice Guy Award' at the annual Doug Jirschele Sports Awards Banquet in Clintonville, Wis.
  • At Gunderson H.S. in San Jose, played quarterback, wide receiver and free safety
  • Was his conference's MVP as a senior and a first-team All-Central Coast Section pick when he passed for 18 touchdowns and ran for 11 more, leading his team to a conference championship
  • Played in the 2002 Santa Clara County North-South All-Star Game
  • Also lettered in basketball and track
  • As a junior, averaged 18.2 points per game as a point guard to lead his team to a conference title and the third round of the playoffs
  • Upped his scoring average to 22 ppg as a senior
  • Registered a personal best of 6-8 in the high jump, good for third in the state meet as a senior
  • Has been a summertime volunteer coach for kids at football camps in Seattle, Wash., Portland, Ore., and St. Mary's, Calif.
  • Enjoys playing basketball
  • Residence: San Jose, Calif.
Player StatsBack To Top
ReceivingRushing
Year GP GS No Yds Avg Lg TD Att Yds Avg Lg TD
2007 Green Bay 16 9 47 676 14.4 79t 2 0 0 0.0 0 0

Playoffs
ReceivingRushing
Year GP GS No Yds Avg Lg TD Att Yds Avg Lg TD
2007 Green Bay 2 0 3 42 14.0 31 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

Additional statistics: Miscellaneous tackles - 1 in 2007; NFL total: 1. Fumbles-Lost - 3-2 in 2007.

SINGLE-GAME CAREER HIGHS
Receiving
Receptions: 6, vs. SD (9/23/07)
Yards: 107, at Den. (10/29/07)
Long: 79t, at Den. (10/29/07)
Touchdowns: 1, two times (last time: at Den., 10/29/07)

NFL debut/first start: vs. Philadelphia, 9/9/07
First touchdown: at Minnesota, 9/30/07

CAREER TRANSACTIONS
2007: Selected by Green Bay Packers as first of two third-round choices (78th overall) in '07 NFL Draft, April 28...Signed first contract, July 31.

CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRATION: After 2009

ELIAS Game By Game Packers Stats
Game Date OppReceiving
NoYdsAvgTD
Sep 9, 2007 PHI4297.30
Sep 16, 2007 @NYG47518.80
Sep 23, 2007 SD67913.20
Sep 30, 2007 @MIN44912.31
Oct 7, 2007 CHI56112.20
Oct 14, 2007 WAS000.00
Oct 29, 2007 @DEN310735.71
Nov 4, 2007 @KC33210.70
Nov 11, 2007 MIN36220.70
Nov 18, 2007 CAR3258.30
Nov 22, 2007 @DET57515.00
Nov 29, 2007 @DAL33913.00
Dec 9, 2007 OAK000.00
Dec 16, 2007 @STL22914.50
Dec 23, 2007 @CHI000.00
Dec 30, 2007 DET2147.00
2007 Totals4767614.42
Packers Totals4767614.42

Statistics provided by Elias Sports Bureau