Eberflus explains why Velus Jones EARNED his roster spot.

This is a good article: www.windycitygridiron.com/2024/8/29/24230675/velus-jones-has-earned-his-place-chicago-bears-roster-top-kick-returner-offensive-value-add

"Instead of focusing on concerns over two rookie mistakes, it’s worth noting that Jones plays in the coverage unit of the return game as well. In other words, Velus Jones, jr. is actually a capable role-player for the Chicago Bears. He is a consistent value add on special teams and offers enough as an offensive weapon to justify a roster spot on his own merit. He has taken on whatever role he has been asked to try, and he has made steady progress toward improvement when given the chance. He might never be considered a “steal” compared to his draft position, but he is definitely the sort of utility player that a complete football team needs in order to succeed."

BUT (and now we'll see who actually reads to the end of this post)

This comment is also true:

"Statistics can often be misleading without content. VJJ had numerous muffed punts in every preseason that do not show up on regular season statistics. This is because the Bears have not trusted him to fields punts. They've gone out and signed players like Trent Taylor to field punts. I would imagine the Bears will sign someone available like him again this year, if they are unhappy with their current punt returners.

bearswire.usatoday.com/2023/08/15/bears-velus-jones-reflects-on-muffed-punt-vs-titans-preseason/

I've seen VJJ have numerous problems putting the ball on the ground this season, both in the backfield and on returns. It's fair to say the Bears feel VJJ is the best player available for them right now. That seems good enough for me. I'm not sure why there's a need to puff him up more than that, based on continued questionable performance at best."

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My commentary:

I have a hard time getting worked up over a 3rd round WR when the failure rate of first round WRs is 40% (I read that somewhere and no I'm not going to look for it again.) I do feel that the issue with VJJs problems is that the Bears had to go out and add another specialist (PR and KO when VJJ got benched) to do the job he was drafted for. In that case, keeping him means they are losing out on adding another prospect to the team (in this case I think its the TE Bates they tried to sneak on the PS)  because they have to carry a KR (Jones) and a KR/PR (Carter).

I actually have no doubt this is VJJs last season in Chicago. I think Wheeler (assuming he recovers from the knee injury) is his replacement. I am a little worried there isn't a RB on the PS. 

I agree with that.  He does seem to be  a better fit at RB.  There is a lot more to learn as an RB than WR, including learning how to block at a whole new level and the blocking schemes for the holes he needs to hit (they're running him between the tackles more now).  He did have a good preseason.  Granted, it is preseason, but he did what was asked of him.  Here is where he ranked among NFL RB's:

- He was 3rd in the NFL in rushing yards.
- 2nd in touchdowns.
- 4th in yards per carry (he averaged 6.3 yards per carry)
- He averaged over 3 yards after contact (On some of those runs he had people hanging all over him and he kept getting that extra yardage... he runs with power as well as speed)
- He had 3 big yardage plays in 25 carries.  Defenses have to worry about him hitting the BIG play.
- He caught every pass thrown to him in preseason.  
- He is no longer just a "jet sweep" guy and is running between the tackles some now, and that makes him more valuable (no longer a one-trick pony when he's out there).

We can qualify all that with it being preseason ball, and we should.  But for a guy new to the position, he did well.  If we have injuries at RB, we could do worse than VJ as a replacement.  And he's a great change-of-pace RB due to the fact we really don't have anyone quite like him on the roster now.  

Yeah, my confidence in Velus is pretty low.  I feel like every time he has to catch a ball in the air its an adventure.

I hope we see some, just not 3 in a row, and then another 3 the next series and then a bomb and then two more screens, etc etc