Caleb Jones 338 lbs making noise at Packer camp.

[82hoosier]

As I recall he graded out last year as the worst pass blocking lineman for the Hoosiers. The only thing he was really successful at was marketing his father's restaurant.

So how does someone go from being a punchline of a joke to possibly being a player in the National Football League? Perhaps it has something to do with coaching?

 

[vesuvius13]

As I recall he graded out last year as the worst pass blocking lineman for the Hoosiers. The only thing he was really successful at was marketing his father's restaurant.

So how does someone go from being a punchline of a joke to possibly being a player in the National Football League? Perhaps it has something to do with coaching?

It also has to do with an NFL team that can force you to follow a diet if you want to stay on the team. Yes, I am sure it has to do with coaching to some extent. I am willing to see what happens this season to see if Hiller can do the job with help from Bell. OL recruiting is picking up so if the OL is better this year maybe that is what is needed.

 

[TMFT]

I think it 75% has to do with an NFL team investing the money in staff to literally force diet/exercise on a guy and 25% with Caleb doing whatever is necessary to get in the league.

The real test is if he makes the team and is able to cheat if he feels like it. The league will take a chance on a moving mountain like him, but they’re not going to let themselves get burned by one if he can’t stick with it.

If anything I hope this at least helps him try and get his weight under control for his long term health.

 

[Crossblock]

It also has to do with an NFL team that can force you to follow a diet if you want to stay on the team. Yes, I am sure it has to do with coaching to some extent. I am willing to see what happens this season to see if Hiller can do the job with help from Bell. OL recruiting is picking up so if the OL is better this year made that is what is needed.

It also has to do with reality and desperation and In Don Henley's Words and lyrics Wasted Time. I can still go back and remember every game of my High School Career. From suiting up as a Freshman with the primary duty of warming up our Quarterback before the Game and at half time, because I would be the last guy to get game time, to being a two player for 2.5 Years. I still remember the sense of finality as I stood on the field with my teammates after the last game of my Senior year. It was a combination of I'm happy with What i have accomplished and what our teams have accomplished, but I can't believe it's over. Didn't I just suit up for the first time as a Freshman about a week ago,.
With a guy like Jones. the stakes are higher. Probably didn't reach the level of play He should have in College but being offered another chance and being paid to do it. There are no more chances. It's make it here or go into the real world and get a job. And now You are in a bigger talent pool. There are other guys your size Who can do what You do, So You better put your best foot forward and differntiate Yourself.

 

[Dick nixon]

". He’s gotten himself in really good shape, probably the best shape he’s been in since high school"

from the following si.com article probably tells you all you need to know.

At 6-Foot-9, Caleb Jones Makes Giant Strides | Sports Illustrated Green Bay Packers News, Analysis and More

i hope he succeeds and finds the motivation he needs to stick in the league

 

[82IU]

There was no reason he shouldn't have been All Big Ten by his Jr year at IU. He had the tools and the size. Our staff sure didn't raise him up to his potential while he was in Btown. Hope he makes it in the NFL.
82

 

[rcaulfie]

As I recall he graded out last year as the worst pass blocking lineman for the Hoosiers. The only thing he was really successful at was marketing his father's restaurant.

So how does someone go from being a punchline of a joke to possibly being a player in the National Football League? Perhaps it has something to do with coaching?

Well that is news to me that he was a "punchline of a joke". I recall the Idaho game when he went down, and I was just shaking my head. My girlfriend at the time was like "what's wrong?" I'm like....."looks like we just lost our best O-lineman" because it looked serious. Ended up we did not lose him but I wonder if the injury affected him more than we knew.

 

[IndyIUFan66]

I don’t think Caleb ended strong at IU. Not sure how much was a Sheridan problem or not, but two things seem true now:

1)Hiller knows this is a make or break year for him

2)I still hope Jones makes it in the pros, would love to see him have a career and make some big money.

 

[MMcCormick]

This guy was terrible at IU. To be a potential NFL starter from being a terrible college lineman has to be more than a conditioning issue. Losing 25 lbs does not turn some into an NFL lineman. He really underachieved at IU.

 

[82hoosier]

This guy was terrible at IU. To be a potential NFL starter from being a terrible college lineman has to be more than a conditioning issue. Losing 25 lbs does not turn some into an NFL lineman. He really underachieved at IU.

Hiller did a video a couple days ago where he said that playing offensive line is essentially playing basketball and you're allowed to commit unlimited fouls. Let that sink in.

 

[Dick nixon]

This guy was terrible at IU. To be a potential NFL starter from being a terrible college lineman has to be more than a conditioning issue. Losing 25 lbs does not turn some into an NFL lineman. He really underachieved at IU.

It's a planet theory situation. There just aren't that many humans on the planet with his size and tools.

here is a writeup by Dan Shonka at ourlads scouting service

"Jones is a project who comes with an enormous upside. He is not a high enough caliber athlete right now but his power, size, and reach can hide a few shortcomings if his techniques and bend become more consistent. Has elite-level power. When he does square a man up, he gets tremendous movement upon contact. There are enough flashes on tape to go along with rare size to warrant at least a practice squad spot. A giant among men. Elite level height and wingspan with sloth-length arms"

 

[td75]

Jones could make a living in the NFL when the offense is inside the 5 yard line. His ability to move people off the LOS is a money making skill.

Go back and watch the 2019/2020 games and you'll see what I'm talking about. He destroyed Michigan's dline in 2020. Where he struggled was in pass protection when facing smaller and faster DEs. He destroyed Purdue in the 2019 Bucket game inside the 5 yard line.

I reckon Green Bay could utilize him in those short and goal situations...maybe that's the plan??

 

[jacksback]

Maybe they can turn him into an NFL lineman and maybe not. They love, love, love potential and the idea of a high ceiling with these kids. He sure has the measurables.

The thing I remember from watching him at IU was that he could not move laterally to save his life. Any decent player he came up against simply ran around him. Will losing 40lbs and better coaching gain big Caleb some lateral mobility?

Doubtful but who the heck knows but I would love to see him stick around the NFL for a while.

 

[IU Fan 1989]

Nice play here.

 

[hookyIU1990]

A buddy of mine is a "Packer Stock Certificate hanging on the wall" type of Packer fan. He can't stop talking about Jones and how good he's going to be. I hope he does well and sticks up there, but makes you wonder why he didn't kill it here.

 

[8Stars5Banners]

A buddy of mine is a "Packer Stock Certificate hanging on the wall" type of Packer fan. He can't stop talking about Jones and how good he's going to be. I hope he does well and sticks up there, but makes you wonder why he didn't kill it here.

because we're Indiana

 

[hookyIU1990]

because we're Indiana

We've done a decent job of developing OL talent and getting them to the NFL prior to this. We may not be known for it like Iowa, but I think we've done OK relative to our on field success.

 

[8Stars5Banners]

We've done a decent job of developing OL talent and getting them to the NFL prior to this. We may not be known for it like Iowa, but I think we've done OK relative to our on field success.

no... I just meant we had all the momentum in the world, and absolute physical freak specimen at O-line... and he blocked last year like my 90 year old grandmother.... such an IUFB outcome it's not even funny

 

[hookyIU1990]

no... I just meant we had all the momentum in the world, and absolute physical freak specimen at O-line... and he blocked last year like my 90 year old grandmother.... such an IUFB outcome it's not even funny

I can't argue with you there.

 

[8Stars5Banners]

I can't argue with you there.

That’s why as a 51 year old die hard who has suffered endlessly, I am still shocked 2 years later Penix got the call against PSU

 

[hookyIU1990]

That’s why as a 51 year old die hard who has suffered endlessly, I am still shocked 2 years later Penix got the call against PSU

We had the Mallory years at least. Someone in their early 40s doesn't even have that.

 

[Champs1976]

A buddy of mine is a "Packer Stock Certificate hanging on the wall" type of Packer fan. He can't stop talking about Jones and how good he's going to be. I hope he does well and sticks up there, but makes you wonder why he didn't kill it here.

Because he wasn't coached here.

 

[Champs1976]

We've done a decent job of developing OL talent and getting them to the NFL prior to this. We may not be known for it like Iowa, but I think we've done OK relative to our on field success.

Not sure what you're referring to, but for sure not IU OLs and linemen. No lineman has gotten better over their time at IU in the last five years. They have been, at best, at the same skill level as seniors as they were as freshmen. Hiller has produced zero fourth round or better O linemen. The line's perforformance has been a horro show to watch. Are you related to Hiller or Hiller himself?

 

[hookyIU1990]

Not sure what you're referring to, but for sure not IU OLs and linemen. No lineman has gotten better over their time at IU in the last five years. They have been, at best, at the same skill level as seniors as they were as freshmen. Hiller has produced zero fourth round or better O linemen. The line's perforformance has been a horro show to watch. Are you related to Hiller or Hiller himself?

"Prior to this" is the key phrase in what I said. Saffold, Martin, Feeney and until just a week or so ago Spriggs. No need to be a dick about it and butt in with the Hiller BS. I never said anything about draft position, just that we've done a decent job of putting big guys in the NFL despite our lack of succes.