Jacoby Jones (12) could play a big role in the Ravens passing game this season. (Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports)
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens veteran wide receiver Jacoby Jones has maintained close ties to offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak going back to their days with the Houston Texans.
So much so that Jones likes to joke that Kubiak is his biological father.
“I need to get that DNA test,” Jones said. “I’m going to steal his coffee and swap the cup and figure it out. I have to make sure. I hope my mother doesn’t see this. She’ll kill me.”
When Kubiak was hired in late January, he complimented Jones for his progress “not only as a player, but as a man.”
Jones has excellent recall of Kubiak’s version of the West Coast offense from their five years together with the Texans. The playbook hasn’t changed much.
“There might be one or two tweaks,” Jones said. “Every time when I see it, I’m like, ‘I already know this.'”
Jones then pointed to his head and said: “Still in there, computerized. Five years of it.”
Since joining the Ravens, Jones has returned three kickoffs for touchdowns and one punt for a score during regular-season games. He caught 36 passes for 444 yards and two touchdowns last season and 30 receptions for 406 yards and one touchdown during the 2012 season.
Having built a reputation as one of the most dangerous returners in the NFL, Jones would like to upgrade his play at wide receiver and contribute more this season.
Whether Jones’ role will increase as he works in tandem with five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith, returning starter Torrey Smith and Marlon Brown remains to be seen.
“Trying to be one of the best receivers in the league,” Jones said. “Try and play my role when they call my number. We fell short last year not going to the playoffs, and you beat yourself up in the offseason like, ‘What did I do wrong? What did I do right?’ You look for those types of small things and then build off them.”
–Fisticuffs broke out at the Baltimore Ravens’ practice Wednesday.
One fight was between wide receiver Steve Smith and cornerback Lardarius Webb. Smith took exception to Webb knocking him down after a catch.
Meanwhile, rookie defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan got into a scrap with rookie tight end Crockett Gillmore that ended quickly.
— When outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil reflected on his first season with the Ravens, he wasn’t inclined to pat himself on the back.
Dumervil acknowledged this week that he was generally dissatisfied with how he played along with the performance of the entire defense as the Ravens failed to make the playoffs.
Signed last year by the Ravens to a five-year contract worth up to $35 million, Dumervil generated 9 1/2 sacks. However, the three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher recorded just one sack during the final seven games as he dealt with an ankle injury.
“Not good enough,” Dumervil said following the Ravens’ minicamp practice. “We definitely have room for improvement. We can get better in all phases. We did a lot of good things last year, but we just didn’t do it good enough to win games and get to the playoffs and have a chance to get to the championship.”
