Sooners in the NFL: Landry Jones
Landry Jones, Quarterback. OU Career Stats: Yards: 16,646, Touchdowns: 123, Interceptions: 52. NFL Stats: None Recorded
Landry Jones, a name that stirs up a ton of different feelings for different people. Landry Jones often is criticized for his untimely turnovers. Only quarterback I can honestly say that receives more flack in the history of the sport is Tony Romo. Others view Landry Jones as one of the best Quarterbacks in Oklahoma Sooners history. He has set many records during his time in Norman. Both school records, and NCAA records.
Love him or hate him, Jones was one of the best quarterbacks at the collegiate level. He was 3-1 in bowl games, defeating schools like Stanford, Iowa, and ending Oklahoma’s BCS drought by defeating UConn in the Fiesta Bowl. His only post season loss came at the hands of Johnny Football. During last season, some OU fans were re-evaluating their feelings towards Jones, with the Quarterback position being in flux like it was. Oklahoma still had a successful season regardless of the inconsistencies at the position, ending with Trevor Knight being officially handed the torch after torching the Crimson Tide, in the minds of fans, and by the coaches.
Jones was drafted in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and is currently the third-string quarterback on the Steelers’ roster. Landry Jones has not seen any official action as of yet. As he continues to develop, he still has a steep hill to climb. Often times if a quarterback is drafted as late as Jones, their development into an NFL quarterback isn’t necessarily guaranteed. And the NFL as we know, its a totally different animal. Defenses are faster than anything he saw in college.
Jones’ strengths during his time at Oklahoma, was the ability to complete insanely accurate passes. He had a strong arm, and could move his offense down the field. He averaged 7.7 yards per attempt for his career. His career QB rating was 141.3, and had a +2.4 TD/Int ratio. Not bad for a QB that is often times is considered to be “terrible” by some of the Sooner faithful.
His weaknesses, as good as he is overall, had insanely accurate interceptions as well. It always seemed like that practically every interception he threw, were game changers, and back breakers. He also had some bad fumbles. Usually, anytime Landry Jones turned the ball over, either by interception, or fumble, it was a melt down of legendary proportions. Oklahoma lost such a game to Kansas State at home in the 2012 season after he fumbled inside the 10 yard line. There lies the Tony Romo complex that Sooners fans have towards Landry Jones. Disastrous turnovers.
There probably has not been a more polarizing figure in Oklahoma football history than Landry Jones. I for one am a proponent of Landry Jones. You don’t set school and NCAA records being a bad quarterback, it DOES NOT happen. He is one of those players in the professional level, who’s on the bubble. He has the chance to be a serviceable back up in the league for several years. Unless his development turns a corner, and he shows a phenomenal leap in ability, he probably will not see the field as a starter. Unless, something happens and he is given the opportunity to show what he can do in the “real world.” Combine an ageing Ben Roethlisburger with a potentially questionable offensive line, it could possibly happen someday soon.