Browns' Jones grows into leadership role
By MIKE McLAIN Tribune ChronicleBEREA - In some ways Browns strong safety Sean Jones was in a no-win situation last season.
Coming off a 2006 season in which he earned credentials as one of the elite players at his position in the NFL, simply a minor slip in production would have been considered an off season. In addition, he was replacing Brian Russell as the signal-caller in the secondary - a role Russell handled extremely well before signing with the Seattle Seahawks.
While it was generally believed that Jones got off to a shaky start, he found a groove and finished with statistics comparable to 2006 - 105 tackles, five interceptions and two forced fumbles. In 2006 he registered 107.5 tackles, five interceptions and one fumble recovery.
Jones is quick to defend his performance in 2007 when asked how it compared to the previous season.
''I think they were both good years,'' he said. ''My production was up, and I had more caused fumbles. Last year was kind of overlooked because our whole defense was on the ropes the whole year.''
One criticism that bothered Jones the most concerned his ability to make the right assignment calls. Whispers early in the season turned to open criticism of his ability to handle the quarterback role in the secondary.
''It kind of bothered me sometimes because myself and Brodney (free safety Brodney Pool) take a lot of time to prepare and get everyone lined up,'' Jones said. ''Actually, last year we had less communication problems than we did in years past.
''We have no control over (criticism). As long as we control what we can control and everybody's on the same page out there, I think we'll be fine.''
Perhaps the most significant contribution Jones could make this season is in a leadership capacity. Preparing to enter his fifth season (fourth, excluding the loss of his rookie season due to a knee injury), Jones could be the second- longest tenured defensive starter with the Browns when the season opens.
Jones doesn't come off as the leader type when dealing with the media. He speaks with a soft voice and never says anything controversial. Leaders are usually more outspoken and can he easily heard above the crowd.
''I think I've been (a leader) the last couple of years,'' Jones said. ''It might not be something that everybody can see, but behind the scenes or on the field or getting in a guy's ear and leading by example is the type of leader I am.
''I'm really not that quiet off the field. I just try to come out here and be all about business when I'm on the field. I think the young guys kind of take on that.''
The coming season could be pivotal to Jones for a lot of reasons - namely the number of dollars he could receive in his next contract. He's in the final year of his deal and could become an unrestricted free agent next year.
Jones is under contrac t to make a cap-friendly $2.145 million this year. Wherever he calls home next year, he'll likely add several more million dollars to his annual salary.
Jones would like to end his playing career with the Browns, who selected him in the second round of the 2004 draft.
''This is home for me,'' he said. ''I love Cleveland, and I love the fans. It would be ideal for me to stay here and finish my career here, but it is a business. Whether it will work for me in that aspect, who knows. I'm going to play the best ball I can play and let all that work itself out.''
It could be a very lucrative season for Jones.
