Tony Jones Jr. had glasses in his first team headshot with the New Orleans Saints. He doesn't wear those anymore. But it's a different kind of "vision" improvement that drove his big day in Baltimore.
Jones, a 2nd-year running back out of Notre Dame, stole the show in the Saints' preseason opener with 7 carries for 82 yards and touchdown to go with 5 catches on 5 targets for another 38 yards.
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“I think I can just see the runs ... better now," Jones said. "Because coming out of college my runs were a little different than the schemes here."
Jones' most impressive moments came on the Saints' first touchdown drive, when he broke three carries for long gains, including an 18-yard scamper and dive for a score. Jones took the handoff from Jameis Winston, planted his foot in the ground and accelerated up the left sideline, eventually diving for the pylon for the touchdown.
That outside zone concept is one of things Jones referenced as what he's processing more effectively in Year 2. Jones said he had the exact same play in college and didn't find the end zone, so he knew he had to this time around.
"I got a year under my belt. I can see it better," Jones said. "I see the holes before they even open. So it seems like it’s working.”
That first year was spent mostly on the Saints' practice squad, but he got an opportunity in Week 17 with the remainder of the Saints' running back room out for COVID protocols. Jones got the first snap, but was hurt on that carry -- his lone touch of the game. That short run is something Jones has been kindly ribbed about in the year since, Winston said.
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“We mess with him about that all the time, kindly, because he got hurt on his first play in Carolina," Winston said. "But man he works. He works his tail off. He was waiting for this opportunity. He did a good job showing up and showing out."
Ty Montgomery got the biggest headlines in that game for his 100-yard emergency rushing performance, but he's a full-time wide receiver on this year's roster. Despite the big performance, Jones likely still remains on the bubble for the final roster behind star Alvin Kamara and veteran Latavius Murray.
The Saints could keep four or five running backs on the roster, a number that would include a fullback likely to be Alex Armah or Sutton Smith. Battling for the final one or two spots will be Dwayne Washington, who's made the cut each of the past three seasons, and Devonta Freeman. UDFA Stevie Scott was among the team's first round of cuts.
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The former Falcons back has performed well in camp, but might've hurt his chances with a fumble on the first play of a drive in the first half. Murray also had a costly fumble, but his role is likely secure. But any ground Jones made with his performance might've been placed in slight jeopardy after he lost a fumble of his own on a long run in the second half.
It was one of six Saints turnovers on the night, and something Jones knows he'll need to review and correct to make the team.
"I was just not focused on the ball at that point. I was trying to make moves and I wasn’t staying on my keys," Jones said. "So that’s on me."