I’ve always been the girl that cheers for the underdogs in any sport or matchup. Something about overcoming the odds gets me interested; I guess because my whole life I’ve been the underdog at everything I’ve done.
The Pirates were off yesterday, and my good friend Brandon, who proofreads and fact checks my work, asked me about Steeler season. I hesitated for a second; I’ve been so wrapped up in Bucco baseball that I’ve been totally slacking on keeping up with the Steelers. I have to admit, James Harrison was my favorite, and when he left I was devastated. I like his no nonsense, angry, and dominating style of play.
I told Brandon I was having a hard time getting back into Steeler mode, and he suggested I take a look at Jarvis Jones. Brandon knows I love the guys who have overcome every obstacle imaginable to become sensations in sports. I’m a Steeler girl through and through, but I absolutely ADORE Colin Kaepernick. I was a fan of him at the beginning of last season before he became the starter. His story is touching.
Enter, Jarvis Jones… He grew up in one of the poorest counties in Georgia, and he was expelled from school in the eighth grade. That year, his older brother, Darcell Kitchens, was shot and killed at a bar. Jarvis took on a lot of the guilt. Darcell had asked him if he wanted to stay home that night, but Jarvis told him to go out. Angry and hurt, he was expelled from school, then an alternative program. His mom had the basketball coach intervene.
He didn’t initially stick with football, but seeing the opportunity there instead of basketball, he finally learned how to exert his anger on the field. Jones first went to college at USC, and suffered a sprained neck. Eventually he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, and USC refused to let him play anymore. He was granted a transfer, and became a Georgia Bulldog. (Fun Fact: Hines Ward was also a Georgia Bulldog.)
The Steelers drafted him in the first round with their 17th pick. Since he had played OLB at Georgia, the transition to linebacker for the Steelers has been easy. Dick LeBeau said, “(Jones) has got (linebacker) instincts. You don’t have to (wean) him off the end stuff.” Jones is IMO, the rookie who has the most potential to become a starter this year. BnGBlitz and I were talking about it last night on twitter. BnG thinks LeVeon Bell also has a good shot at seeing a lot of playing time.
Jones’ tackles have been described as “bone crushing,” hence his nickname, “dawg Bones” Jones at Georgia. The transition to Steel Curtain defense is never easy on rookies. Hopefully Jones can pick it up quickly. BnGBlitz and I were talking about how it would be nice if LaMarr Woodley could get back into 2008 form. With the absence of James Harrison, Woodley, Worilds, and Jones are going to need to step up big on D this season.
My hope is that Jones can fill the huge spot left by our former badass QB eating machine. An article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said that Jones lacks the “snarl” that Harrison possessed. I have to totally disagree with the writer. Losing a brother and coming from a background like his, there’s no way Jones doesn’t have the snarl Harrison had. Jones tore up SEC offenses and QBs at Georgia, and he had 14.5 sacks last year. This kid is going to morph into the next explosive defensive player the Steelers have. Mark my words.
Here’s the link to the article in the AJC:
http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/college/jarvis-jones-finding-his-place-steelers/nYLMJ/
**Almost every aspect of Jones' life hits insanely close to home for me. That's how I know there's no lack of snarl here. You guys have witnessed the snarl I have in my interaction with Turftoe.