Your Move, Jags: Jones Is Out of Jail

Things are looking up for former Jaguars first-round draft picks. First, a judge dismisses DWI and marijuana possession charges against Reggie Williams, and now Matt Jones is a free man, serving just seven days of an eight-day jail sentence. (And, yes, I realize that while Williams is free to go about his business without further legal entanglements, he's currently unemployed. Hey, it could be worse.)

Jones was arrested and canned last week for violating a plea agreement on a cocaine possession charge stemming from last summer. The crime that landed him in the clink: drinking beer. Out of context, jailing somebody for chugging a few pops while playing golf is a ludicrous notion, but two things worth mentioning: first, Jones was already on probation on drug charges, and second, if this had been, say, Pacman Jones, the media (FanHouse included) would beat us about the head with the news for the foreseeable future.

So, relatively speaking, Matt Jones got off easy -- at least for the time being. There's still the issue of whether he'll face sanctions from the league (again), or if the Jaguars will just cut bait and move on. Quarterback David Garrard hopes it doesn't come to that, offering his support for Jones on Thursday.

"He did make another mistake and I just want to be here for him to encourage him. You know, we still believe in him. Hopefully, from this day forward he can just, you know, keep his nose clean," Garrard said. "Hopefully, being in jail for a week will straighten him out. I'm sure he has some kind of program that I'm sure he's going to have to be in once he gets out. Hopefully, that will straighten his life out because he does need help, and obviously we don't give up on him here and we still continue to fight for him and have his back here."

Before the league-mandated three-game suspension ended his 2008 season in Week 14, Jones was having his best year as a pro. Drafted 21st overall in 2005, he had never caught more than 41 passes until hauling in 65 in 12 games last season.

I have no idea if, in the eyes of the Jags' front office, Jones' potential outweighs his off-field troubles. So far, the answer seems to be yes, but that just might be because without Jones, Garrard would have nobody to throw the ball to. Which is a pretty clear indication that Jacksonville might want to find a wide receiver at some point this offseason.