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Taiwan Jones | Defensive Back

Team: Oakland Raiders
Age / DOB:  (24) / 7/26/1988
Ht / Wt:  6'0' / 195
College: Eastern Washington
Contract: view contract details
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The San Francisco Chronicle's Vic Tafur observed at OTAs that RB-turned-CB Taiwan Jones will face a "steep uphill climb" to make the Raiders' 2013 roster.
Jones has enough size and speed for the transition, but he's a huge project as a third-year player already changing positions. We don't see Jones as a member of Oakland's five-deep at cornerback. He may not even make it to camp. May 20 - 1:52 PM
Source: Vic Tafur on Twitter

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Player News

Date:
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

GM Reggie McKenzie says Taiwan Jones will likely move from running back to cornerback this season.

McKenzie says it best fits Jones' "skill set." Jones played both positions during his college career at Eastern Washington, but he hasn't played corner since 2008. Jones couldn't get on the field last year as a running back, even when Oakland was banged up in the backfield. The transition will be a huge project.
Source: Bill Williamson on Twitter
Feb 22 - 12:55 PM
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

Raiders RB Taiwan Jones says he'd be open to switching back to his college position of cornerback.

Jones played both positions in college. "I've thought about it a lot," Jones said Friday. Jones is buried at No. 4 on the Raiders' running back depth chart, but has excelled as a gunner on special teams. Although the lightning-quick Jones believes he could hold his own at corner, the odds of a potential switch being successful are low. Of course, Jones' future at corner doesn't appear any more dismal than his future at running back. The 2011 fourth-round pick has just 22 carries in 21 career games.
Source: Steve Corkran on Twitter
Fri, Dec 7, 2012 06:19:00 PM
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

Taiwan Jones (ankle) is listed as questionable for Week 12 against the Bengals.

Jones was a late addition to the injury report this week and practiced on limited basis Friday. If active, he'll be used as a strict-backup to Marcel Reece. Darren McFadden (ankle) and Mike Goodson have been ruled out and remain without a timetable for return.
Sat, Nov 24, 2012 08:28:00 PM
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

Taiwan Jones rushed just three times for 13 yards in Sunday's Week 11 loss to the Saints.

Jones briefly left the game in the first half with an ankle injury but returned and seemed fine. Jeremy Stewart saw two carries as well behind bell-cow back Marcel Reece. Jones is far from seeing meaningful snaps in Oakland.
Sun, Nov 18, 2012 08:39:00 PM
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

Raiders OC Greg Knapp clarified that Taiwan Jones' ball-security issues have involved practice reps.

"Sometimes it's handoffs and sometimes it's been on contact," Knapp said, adding that Jones has also struggled with blocking assignments. The coaches are looking for improvement before entrusting Jones to a significant role on game days.
Source: Contra Costa Times
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 06:33:00 PM
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

Following Sunday's loss to the Ravens, coach Dennis Allen admitted that he doesn't trust Taiwan Jones.

Jones played behind both Marcel Reece and Jeremy Stewart Sunday. "We have to know when he goes into the game, he's going to know what to do and he's going to protect the football and he's got to be able to stay healthy ... as he improves those things, he'll get more playing time," Allen said. To Jones' credit, he didn't complain or sulk. "It's my job to earn their trust," he said. It's unlikely the speedy Jones will be able to do that before next week's game against the Saints.
Source: Contra Costa Times
Sun, Nov 11, 2012 08:28:00 PM
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

Taiwan Jones rushed just twice for six yards and caught a seven-yard screen pass in the Raiders' Week 10 loss to Baltimore.

Both coach Dennis Allen and OC Greg Knapp stated publicly that Jones wasn't trusted by the coaching staff leading up to the Week 10 game, so it really shouldn't surprise anyone that his role was so minimal. The fact that he only got two touches and was a third-stringer behind Marcel Reece and Jeremy Stewart was telling. Hang onto Jones to see what happens as we proceed toward Week 11 against the Saints, but it's hard to imagine reinserting him into fantasy lineups.
Sun, Nov 11, 2012 04:54:00 PM
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

CSN Bay Area's Paul Gutierrez expects Taiwan Jones to be the "bell cow" in Baltimore this week with FB Marcel Reece playing primarily in passing situations.

It may be the first and last time we ever see "bell cow" and "Taiwan Jones" in the same sentence. Coordinator Greg Knapp attributes Jones' limited early-season role to "ball security and assignments," noting that injuries have limited his practice reps so far. "But I'm excited for the young kid. I hope he gets a chance to get in there and get some successful plays to build his confidence," said Knapp. "He's one of the fastest I've been around. He has that ability to burst and separate right away. That trait is obviously not coachable." Jones has split first-team reps with Marcel Reece this week.
Source: CSN Bay Area
Thu, Nov 8, 2012 09:58:00 PM
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

After stating early in the week that Taiwan Jones' ball-security issues were a concern, coach Dennis Allen insists the Raiders have "confidence" in the expected Week 10 starter.

"He's been a little up and down and a little injury-plagued, so it's been kind of tough to evaluate because he's missed some time," Allen said. "But ... if he's called on to step in and play, then we fully anticipate him stepping in to perform and do the job." Carson Palmer confirmed that Jones will "get his touches and I can't wait. He's so electrifying. He puts his foot in the ground and goes." Jones and Marcel Reece split first-team reps on Thursday. Jones will be bumped into the top-30 in Rotoworld's Week 10 rankings.
Related: Marcel Reece
Source: Contra Costa Times
Thu, Nov 8, 2012 04:15:00 PM
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

Taiwan Jones was the first-team tailback at Wednesday's practice.

Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson are both sidelined by ankle injuries. The exceptionally fast Jones is prepping for a major boost in touches this week, but we wouldn't expect a true feature back role. He's just 6'0/195, reportedly struggles with fumbles, has been injury-prone and profiles as more of a change-of-pace option. Look for the Raiders to go pass-heavy against the Ravens, highlighting the skills of Marcel Reece and perhaps getting Jones in space. It's crucial to note that after McFadden and Goodson went down last week, Reece clearly played ahead of Jones. Our initial rankings have Reece 27th among running backs and Jones 38th.
Related: Marcel Reece
Source: CSN Bay Area
Thu, Nov 8, 2012 08:17:00 AM
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

The San Francisco Chronicle believes Taiwan Jones will be the Raiders' starting running back against the Ravens.

Beat writer Vittorio Tafur is connecting the dots with the Raiders appearing unlikely to sign a free agent back in the absence of Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson, but most signs have suggested FB Marcel Reece will be the lead dog in the Raiders' backfield this weekend. However, Reece does have only one rushing attempt on the season compared to 26 catches. Even if Jones — who's carried the ball just one time this season, as well — ends up with more rushes than Reece, we fully expect Reece to tally more touches. He's the add in fantasy leagues, at least until we see how things play out on the field.
Related: Marcel Reece
Source: Vittorio Tafur on Twitter
Wed, Nov 7, 2012 03:05:00 PM
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

Coach Dennis Allen stated Monday that the Raiders don't trust Taiwan Jones due to ball-security issues.

Jones didn't fumble on 20 preseason touches, so he must be putting the football on the ground in practices. He's also clearly not a trusted pass protector, as Marcel Reece played ahead of Jones in pass-heavy comeback mode in Week 9 against the Bucs. Jones is worth picking up in fantasy leagues, but his workload will be a huge question mark for Week 10. He'll be a dicey flex option.
Source: Vic Tafur on Twitter
Mon, Nov 5, 2012 04:40:00 PM
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

Despite Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson's in-game Week 9 ankle injuries, Taiwan Jones played just 5-of-81 snaps against the Bucs.

Marcel Reece took over as the primary back. Oakland's new coaching staff doesn't seem to have much trust in Jones, whose two touches against Tampa Bay were his first two all year. Reece can pass protect and play in the passing game, and if McFadden and Goodson both miss Week 10 the fullback might come out ahead in the "battle" for touches. We'll monitor this situation all week.
Source: CBS Sports
Mon, Nov 5, 2012 03:30:00 PM
Taiwan Jones - DB - Raiders

Despite game-ending injuries to Darren McFadden (leg) and Mike Goodson (ankle) in Week 9 against the Bucs, Raiders RB Taiwan Jones rushed just once for two yards and caught a four-yard pass.

Jones was sprinkled in behind Marcel Reece (8 touches) late in the game, but operated primarily as a change-of-pace back. That may have been due to game flow; the Raiders were trying to erase a deficit and Reece is a more trusted pass protector. Regardless, Jones will be worth grabbing in 12-team leagues this week, particularly if DMC and Goodson's injuries are revealed as serious. Jones is a high-cut burner with 4.3 jets. The Raiders visit Baltimore in Week 10.
Sun, Nov 4, 2012 07:57:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Matt Flynn
2Terrelle Pryor
3Tyler Wilson
4Kyle Padron
5Matt McGloin
RB1Darren McFadden
2Rashad Jennings
3Latavius Murray
4Jeremy Stewart
5Deonte Williams
GLB1Darren McFadden
2Rashad Jennings
3RB1Darren McFadden
2Rashad Jennings
FB1Marcel Reece
2Jamize Olawale
3Jon Hoese
WR11Denarius Moore
2Juron Criner
3Brice Butler
4Isaiah Williams
5Andre Holmes
WR21Rod Streater
2Jacoby Ford
3Josh Cribbs
4Conner Vernon
5Sam McGuffie
WR31Jacoby Ford
TE1Nick Kasa
2Mychal Rivera
3David Ausberry
4Richard Gordon
5Jeron Mastrud
K1Sebastian Janikowski
2Eddie Carmona