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SCOUT'S TAKE

Pros: Jones has linebacker-like skills in moving from sideline to sideline and chasing down ball carriers. He never lets up and finishes his plays. In addition, he’s quick to the ball and flashes the ability to drop into coverage on the zone blitz. He typically maintains good leverage and uses his long arms and powerful lower body to hold his ground when playing the nose. The Rochester native, though, is more of a gap penetrator than he is a zero-technique defender that plays across the opposing center.

Cons: When it comes to getting after the quarterback, Jones is very capable on the bull rush and exhibits elite hand skills in one-on-one coverage, but he doesn’t possess enough speed to be a true sack master at the next level.

Our View: There’s no doubt that Jones has been constantly double-teamed this season, which has limited the amount of splash plays we’ve seen on his behalf so far in his senior season. But that hasn’t caused the highly decorated lineman to tone down his motor one bit. Jones’ all-out hustle, enthusiasm, and leadership skills make him a solid individual on a personal level.

NEWS

12.09.09 - Despite missing the final quarter of the season as result of a knee ailment, Syracuse University senior defensive tackle Arthur Jones was named a first-team Big East Conference football all-star for a second consecutive season. Jones, a Union-Endicott High grad and SU team captain, and junior punter Rob Long were the lone Orange players selected to the first-team. Jones' 19 tackles this season included 12 solo stops and seven for negative yardage. He had 1 1/2 sacks and recovered two fumbles. Jones made 38 1/2 tackles for losses, the most all-time by an SU interior lineman and third on the overall list. His 145 career tackles rank 10th best among Orange interior linemen. His average of .22 fumbles recoveries per game ranked sixth in the Big East this season.

11.12.09 - Jones said his future career in the National Football League was a consideration for standing down for the final three games. Jones said he will find the best surgeon he can to repair the knee. He said he has already accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl in January.

11.10.09 - Syracuse announced Monday night that All-Big East Conference defensive tackle Arthur Jones and starting offensive tackle Jonathan Meldrum will miss the remainder of the 2009 season because of injuries. The school announced tonight in a release that Jones and Meldrum reported experiencing discomfort in their left knee during the Pittsburgh game. MRIs on Monday revealed each had a torn lateral meniscus in their knees that will require surgery. Jones has endured several injuries throughout his career and it appeared that he was heading towards the top half of the first round. With the latest injury, pro scouts will be sure to do their due dillegence but even still, some teams will be scared off by the fact that the big man from 'Cuse seems to have difficulty staying on the field.

11.05.09 - Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone on senior nose tackle Arthur Jones: “He's made plays for us and I'm excited about that. Last game, you saw him make some plays and beat a couple of guys. He's been getting a lot of attention. He's the guy who probably every offensive line coach talks about when they come in to play us, 'Hey, we have to make sure we stop him. He's their key player.' There have been a lot of double teams and people coming in trying to make a name for themselves as they play against Arthur. That's a challenge for any good player and he's done very well. He made some plays in the last game and now he faces a Pitt team that is going to be physical upfront. Do I think they're going to change their scheme? I don't think they will, whereas I've seen some teams that we've played change their scheme against Arthur that they haven't shown in the past to take away some of his strengths.”

04.16.09 - Syracuse University All-Big East Conference defensive tackle Arthur Jones is working away in his rehabilitation following surgery in early March to repair a torn left pectoralis muscle. The school's office of athletic communication put out a progress report on Jones Wednesday. "Arthur Jones rehabilitation has focused on range-of-motion and toning exercises, as well as working on cardiovascular fitness," said Tim Neal, Syracuse's assistant athletics director for sports medicine. "All has gone well at this point in his rehabilitation. Jones has resumed running and will be progressing in his rehabilitation through the spring and summer to build on strength and to enhance sport specific function." What's yet to be said from SU is how long this will take and when Jones can return to the playing field. Neal said in the statement this will be the last update on Jones until the start of preseason camp.

03.04.09 - Syracuse, NY -- All-Big East Conference defensive tackle Arthur Jones of Syracuse University had surgery on Tuesday to repair his torn pectoral muscle. Here is a statement received Wednesday from Syracuse University athletics about Jones and the operation: "Arthur Jones had surgery by Dr. Irving Raphael on March 3, 2009 to repair a torn left pectoralis muscle. The surgery went well. Future information regarding Arthur's recovery and activity level will be released as progress warrants." The school announced earlier this week that Jones is one of 47 players nationally named to the preseason Lombardi Award watch list.

02.25.09 - Syracuse's best defensive player will undergo chest surgery after a freak injury in the weight room. Syracuse says defensive tackle Arthur Jones sustained a torn left pectoralis muscle while lifting weights on Feb. 23. An MRI confirmed the tear, and surgery is scheduled for next week.

12.31.08 - Jones saw very limited action his freshman season but came on big in 2007 with 17.5 tackles for loss and one sack. This season, Jones made First Team All-Big East by registering 60 tackles with 13 for loss and 3.5 sacks. His value may be rising but Jones has already stated he will return for his senior season at Syracuse.

12.27.08 - All-Big East Conference defensive tackle Arthur Jones announced today that he is staying for his senior season at Syracuse University. Jones had contemplated bypassing his senior season in order to enter the NFL Draft, but decided to come back and play his final season under new coach Doug Marrone. "I want to finish what I started and leave Syracuse a winner. It is about this program and getting it turned around. We have a great team coming back. I really believe we can get this going in the right direction," said Jones, a 2008 All-Big East First Team selection.

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