Jones is the prototype for the “elephant’’ position that was made famous in these parts by Willie McGinest. The position made a comeback last season when Andre Carter and then Mark Anderson filled the role.
McGinest was 6 feet 5 inches and 270 pounds. Jones is, guess what, 6-5 ½, 266, has long arms at 35 ½ inches, and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.82. An elephant is an end/outside linebacker hybrid. It’s a very demanding position in this defense and has yet to be played well by a young player: Rosevelt Colvin and Adalius Thomas filled the role at times and had to be acquired from another team to do it.
An elephant has to be able to take on tackles, tight ends, and fullbacks in the running game. So the player must be strong to hold the point of attack. He also has to be smart enough to read the motions of the offense and understand what different formations mean. The player has to be agile enough to drop into coverage, but also quick enough to get after the quarterback.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/jones-is-the-prototype-for-the-elephant/
