San Diego Chargers sign free agent wide receiver Jacoby Jones

March 6, 2015

The San Diego Chargers provided a boost to their special teams and gave quarterback Philip Rivers a new deep threat all with one stroke of the pen, as today the team announced that it signed Pro Bowl wide receiver and return specialist Jacoby Jones to a two-year contract.

A 6-2, 215-pound playmaker, Jones proved that he can perform well on football's grandest stage when he helped lead the Baltimore Ravens to a victory over San Francisco in Super Bowl XLVII. Jones, 30, was a first-team All-Pro in 2012, but really made his mark by setting Super Bowl and postseason records for the longest play with a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half. He also caught a 56-yard touchdown pass as part of a Super Bowl-record 290-all-purpose-yard evening.

“One of our off-season goals was to improve our special teams, specifically upgrading our return game,” said Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco. “We feel Jacoby brings a dynamic aspect to our kick and punt returns that we need and he also has solid experience playing wide receiver.

Jones played a prominent role in helping the Ravens reach the Super Bowl, as he was on the receiving end of the “Mile High Miracle,” catching a game-tying 70-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds remaining in the Divisional Playoffs against the Denver Broncos. The Ravens went on to beat the Broncos in overtime.

The Chargers saw firsthand just how dangerous Jones could be in their 34-33 win November last season in Baltimore. Jones averaged 33.3 yards per return against the Bolts, including a 72-yard return that led to a field goal late in the game.

Originally a third-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2007 out of Lane College, Jones ranked second in the NFL in 2014, averaging 30.6 yards per kickoff return.

Jones spent his first five seasons in Houston (2007-11) before joining the Ravens as a free agent in 2012. Blessed with tremendous speed, Jones has caught 203 passes for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns over eight NFL seasons, while racking up 4,527 yards and five touchdowns as a kickoff returner (27.4-yard average) and 2,673 yards and four touchdowns (10.1 avg.) as a punt returner.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services

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