There is one way to describe the offense of the New Orleans Saints: fast, but who exactly is the fastest?That's the highlight of the receiving corps, with Rashid Shaheed, Chris Olave and Brandin Cooks. When debating the question, don't forget to add Velus Jones Jr. in the mix.
After the 10th day of training camp, running back Jones said that he thought it was himself. "You can't coach speed, and I feel like I've shown how dangerous I could be at being a home run hitter, getting in the open field."
Faster than Shaheed, the all-pro kick returner? "For sure," Jones Jr. said. "I'd bet my game check on it." However, Shaheed had a response on social media, simply saying, "No."
Velus Jones Jr. in the NFL
While he is the first to say that he's the fastest man in New Orleans, he is not the first to say that he's the fastest running back. Joel Thomas, the Saints' assistant head coach and running back coach, got to that first. "He has a speed element to his game that is obviously faster than most of the guys, or all of the guys in the room," he said on the New Orleans Saints podcast.
Treating him like putty, assistant head coach and running backs coach Joel Thomas is excited at the toughness and grit that the young halfback has. "He has a speed element to his game that is obviously faster than most of the guys, or all of the guys in the room," Thomas said.
The Crescent City is not Jones Jr.'s first stop in the big league. Coincidentally, running back isn't the only position he's played in the NFL. Previously, in all previous stops (Chicago, Jacksonville, Charlotte), he's played wide receiver. Although he has yet to see many meaningful snaps, having played in 29 games over the past three seasons and only gathering 135 receiving yards with one touchdown and 165 rushing yards with one touchdown.
Per head coach Kellen Moore, Jones Jr. is doing a great job in the transition from running back to wide receiver, once again mentioning Jones Jr.'s speed. "You see the burst, you see the explosive plays, which is awesome," the first-year head coach said to the media. Moore did add there is still room for Jones Jr. to work. "Now you just see the detail, start getting better, and the protection starts getting better; that's the big part he's gotta grow in."