Former linebacker also being groomed to play tight end
Edgar Jones thought it was a joke when the Ravens asked him to switch from linebacker to tight end this summer, but now, no one is laughing.
The Ravens moved the 6-foot-3, 262-pounder to offense to compensate for a lack of depth. Pro Bowler Todd Heap and second-stringer Daniel Wilcox each have been sidelined for portions of the preseason with injuries, and reserve Quinn Sypiewski is out for the season with a knee injury.
Still, Jones didn’t know how serious the Ravens were about switching him to a position he hadn’t played since starring at Rayville (La.) High School — until he looked in his locker and noticed he was no longer assigned jersey No. 91.
“They were working me in, so I didn’t take it too seriously until coach [John] Harbaugh called me and told me they were moving me,” Then I saw No. 46, so I took it real serious after that.”
For Jones, a position switch can only improve his chances of making the final, 53-man roster. The Ravens originally signed him last season as an undrafted free agent out of Southeast Missouri, a Football Championship Subdivision (formaperspective, we suspect he can do it because he comes off the ball so well on defense, uses his hat and hands and can push a tight end around. So, we figured we’d maybe flip that around and see how it goes.”
Harbaugh added Jones’ versatility could be the difference from him making the team to being waived for the fourth time, which could end his hopes of playing in the NFL anytime soon.
“The thing about a guy like that, the value you’d have, is a guy who could play both ways,” Harbaugh said. “But he could be an emergency linebacker and then give you a lot of value on special teams, as well.”
Jones, who made two catches for 12 yards in the Ravens’ 24-10 loss at St. Louis on Saturday, said it’s been difficult transition to playing a new position in addition to remaining relevant on defense.
“It’s a lot different from the defensive playbook,” Jones said. “But I’m in the offensive playbook, trying to get it down the best that I can. It’s a day-by-day process.”
As for Heap and Wilcox, both veteran players expect to be ready for the Ravens’ season opener Sept. 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals after missing 10 and 11 games last season.
“You’ve got to be smart with how you handle things,” Heap said. “At this point you definitely don’t want any setbacks. That’s in the back of your mind. But at the same time, when you’re out there you have to be going full speed. There’s no other way to do it.”
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