Know a Jaguar: DT Abry Jones Making His Mark in the Middle
Abry Jones, who signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted rookie from Georgia a year ago and played in eight games, has become a regular member of the team’s rotation as a backup defensive tackle this season.
He had his breakout game against Pittsburgh last Sunday, when he sacked Ben Roethlisberger twice and forced a fumble on the second one. In a conversation with Vito Stellino of the Times-Union, Jones, 23, talked about his life on and off the field.
Describe your sack fumble last Sunday.
I came inside and I was trying to push the pocket and I saw Ben release out and I got off the block. I wasn’t really going for the ball. I was just rushing him and got the ball in the process. I was trying to get him down.
So how did that feel?
It felt great, especially since I had one earlier in the game. It’s always good to get another one. Getting the sack fumble when our team really needed it was an added bonus for me and the team. The first one was pretty much like the second one (in the second quarter). I made an inside move and I knew Ben as a guy who likes to stand in there and I was trying to push the pocket and get him off the spot. He didn’t move and I was able to get inside and get him down.
When did you first start playing football?
When I was in the ninth grade in high school
How come you didn’t play earlier?
I grew up in a military family, so we were always moving around. I was a basketball person because that is what my parents played and when they moved to Georgia, I started playing football.
Where are some of the places you have lived?
Germany, Poland, Turkey, New Orleans, Texas, Virginia, a whole bunch of places.
Did you like moving around?
Seeing all the different places was always nice. The bad part was that you’d get friends and you’d have to leave so soon. Other than that, I loved it.
What did you parents do in the military?
My dad was in Special Forces, and my mom did administrative work in the JAG office. They’re both retired now. My dad is from Alabama and my mom is from Georgia, but they met in Germany.
Did your dad talk about his experiences in the Special Forces?
He did his thing and I really didn’t want to bother him. Not knowing what he might have seen, I didn’t want to bring up any bad memories. If he wanted to tell me, he would tell me. I’d never ask. He didn’t tell me much. All I knew is that he came back and he was fine. That’s pretty much good for me.
Were you heavily recruited by the colleges?
Yes, everybody in the SEC and the ACC.
Why did you pick Georgia?
I liked the d-line coach and they had a lot of seniors on their defensive line so I knew I’d be able to play really soon. I played 10 of 12 games as a freshman and became a starter in my sophomore year.
What was your highlight in college?
I had one of my best games my junior year against Georgia Tech when I had 16 tackles, a couple of tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a sack.
As a senior, you missed the final seven games with an ankle injury. How was it dealing with that?
That was a real downer. I got off to a pretty good start and got a sprained ankle when I got caught underneath the pile and then ended up with a fluke injury tearing ligaments. That was my season right there.
Why did you sign with the Jaguars?
Talking to (defensive line) coach (Todd) Wash at the combine, I realized he was a real cool dude and he was talking about their scheme and I figured it fit me.
How it is dealing with a 0-5 start?
I think everyone just realizes it’s a bad start but if we all get down in the dumps and go against each other, it’s going to be even worse. If we stay positive and keep working, we know we can turn it around.
13 Oct
2014
He had his breakout game against Pittsburgh last Sunday, when he sacked Ben Roethlisberger twice and forced a fumble on the second one. In a conversation with Vito Stellino of the Times-Union, Jones, 23, talked about his life on and off the field.
Describe your sack fumble last Sunday.
I came inside and I was trying to push the pocket and I saw Ben release out and I got off the block. I wasn’t really going for the ball. I was just rushing him and got the ball in the process. I was trying to get him down.
So how did that feel?
It felt great, especially since I had one earlier in the game. It’s always good to get another one. Getting the sack fumble when our team really needed it was an added bonus for me and the team. The first one was pretty much like the second one (in the second quarter). I made an inside move and I knew Ben as a guy who likes to stand in there and I was trying to push the pocket and get him off the spot. He didn’t move and I was able to get inside and get him down.
When did you first start playing football?
When I was in the ninth grade in high school
How come you didn’t play earlier?
I grew up in a military family, so we were always moving around. I was a basketball person because that is what my parents played and when they moved to Georgia, I started playing football.
Where are some of the places you have lived?
Germany, Poland, Turkey, New Orleans, Texas, Virginia, a whole bunch of places.
Did you like moving around?
Seeing all the different places was always nice. The bad part was that you’d get friends and you’d have to leave so soon. Other than that, I loved it.
What did you parents do in the military?
My dad was in Special Forces, and my mom did administrative work in the JAG office. They’re both retired now. My dad is from Alabama and my mom is from Georgia, but they met in Germany.
Did your dad talk about his experiences in the Special Forces?
He did his thing and I really didn’t want to bother him. Not knowing what he might have seen, I didn’t want to bring up any bad memories. If he wanted to tell me, he would tell me. I’d never ask. He didn’t tell me much. All I knew is that he came back and he was fine. That’s pretty much good for me.
Were you heavily recruited by the colleges?
Yes, everybody in the SEC and the ACC.
Why did you pick Georgia?
I liked the d-line coach and they had a lot of seniors on their defensive line so I knew I’d be able to play really soon. I played 10 of 12 games as a freshman and became a starter in my sophomore year.
What was your highlight in college?
I had one of my best games my junior year against Georgia Tech when I had 16 tackles, a couple of tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a sack.
As a senior, you missed the final seven games with an ankle injury. How was it dealing with that?
That was a real downer. I got off to a pretty good start and got a sprained ankle when I got caught underneath the pile and then ended up with a fluke injury tearing ligaments. That was my season right there.
Why did you sign with the Jaguars?
Talking to (defensive line) coach (Todd) Wash at the combine, I realized he was a real cool dude and he was talking about their scheme and I figured it fit me.
How it is dealing with a 0-5 start?
I think everyone just realizes it’s a bad start but if we all get down in the dumps and go against each other, it’s going to be even worse. If we stay positive and keep working, we know we can turn it around.
This post was written by sports