Why Marcus Jones’s October was one to remember

Zak Kuhr provided a succinct response when he was requested what he’s been seeing from Marcus Jones recently.

“A giant smile on his face,” the Patriots’ interim defensive play-caller stated.

There are many causes for the veteran cornerback to be grinning. Jones was named AFC Defensive Participant of the Month on Thursday, simply two days after inking a three-year contract extension with the Patriots.

He defined what the brand new contract meant to him whereas dressed as “Sonic the Hedgehog” at a Halloween celebration the Patriots and Revolution placed on for native youngsters who’re battling most cancers.

It’s solely becoming that the dynamic returner was sporting a fancy dress that symbolized velocity whereas displaying a number of the management qualities which have his coaches raving about him.

“He’s the identical man day in and time out,” Kuhr stated. “He’s the definition of our group identification. I’m so completely satisfied for him. He deserves that [award]. He hasn’t modified a bit, working his tail off on the market, making performs on the market in apply. It’s effectively deserved for him.”

Particular groups coach Jeremy Springer referred to as Jones after the information broke. The 5-foot-8, 188-pound defensive again made his mark this month, not solely by selecting off Josh Allen in a key second within the Patriots’ upset over the payments, but additionally making his presence felt within the run sport.

He’s tied with Milton WIlliams for second on the group in tackles for loss [6]. He’s fourth on the group in tackles [36], and has essentially the most amongst Patriots defensive backs. The Patriots have sometimes despatched him on blitzes, and he grew to become one among seven New England gamers to report a sack this season.

“Every thing is earned. Every thing he has gotten on this league, he’s needed to earn it. In all probability his complete life, with dimension and size and all that good things,” Springer stated. “He simply proves it together with his play and his fashion and likewise his off-the-field stuff. I do know [Mike] Vrabel has stated it. He’s such a superb chief.”

The award acknowledged Jones for his protection, however he has been stellar within the return sport as effectively. He was dominant in opposition to the Panthers, dashing for an 87-yard punt return landing on Sept. 29. He completed with 167 complete punt return yards on the day after almost scoring on one other. He and Tampa Bay’s Kameron Johnson are the one gamers within the league with a number of 40+ yard punt returns this season.

Jones is third within the NFL in punt return yards (216), and he has no less than three fewer makes an attempt than everybody else within the prime 5.

“I’ve all the time stated his decision-making is top-tier and it nonetheless is, however his means to set returns up [sets him apart],” Springer stated. “Guys simply don’t get the angles that he guys which can be working down need to current. He has a extremely good pure knack to really feel the return, really feel the place it’s going to go, and set his guys up that approach.”

The Patriots haven’t used Jones on offense the best way they’ve in earlier years, however his affect in two of the three phases of the sport has been game-changing.

“I’d say he’s doing a little particular stuff on the market,” Kuhr stated. “That’s to not say that’s not league vast, I’ve been round a few guys who’re like that, however he actually is taking part in a whole sport proper now with the run sport, his quantity being referred to as on pressures, protection, ball disruption and clearly particular groups so he’s doing a little fairly particular issues proper now.”

Khari A. Thompson

Sports activities Reporter

Khari Thompson covers skilled sports activities for Boston.com. Earlier than becoming a member of the group in 2022, Khari coated school soccer for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.