They often say that NFL defensive backs need to be the most confident players on the field - able to play on an island, able to withstand rules tilted heavily in favor of the offense, able to give up a big play, forget about it and come back ready to fight and certain they'll win on the very next snap.
If this is true, then Miami Dolphins safety Reshad Jones is the perfect NFL DB personality prototype.
"I'm playing like the best safety in the league, actually," Jones told the Miami Herald on Thursday. "Numbers don't lie. If you compare my numbers to the other safeties in the league, with what I've done, it stacks up with the best of them."
Jones, who just returned from a four-game suspension for failing a test for performance-enhancing drugs, has totaled a team-high 24 tackles, 22 solo, an interception and a sack in three October games.
Dolphins' defensive coordinator, Kevin Coyle, who has deployed Jones and watched with eager glee as he has helped the team allow an average of only 18 points since his return, down almost a touchdown from the four games he missed, agrees with Jones' assessment.
"I think Reshad is playing as good as he's played since we've been here," Coyle said Thursday. "He's tackling extremely well. His presence on the field and coverage is really helping the back end. I think we just have to get some production in terms of some of the deep throws down the field, which I believe we are going to get. He hasn't had that many opportunities, but I envision he's going to continue to make some big plays for us."
Jones has yet to reach the Pro Bowl, but seemed well on his way in 2012, when he was rated the third best safety in the league by Pro Football Focus. Unfortunately, he and the team took a step back last season.
Quarterbacks testing Jones this year, though, have completed just 4 of 9 passes for 59 yards, with a touchdown, an interception and a passer rating of 63.9.
Jones said that his stats so far this year are a product of his offseason work and his constant desire to fine tune his game and improve, year in and year out.
"Each and every year, I want to continue to progress and continue to get better and climb," Jones said. "I just want to continue to show everybody I'm one of the best safeties in the league."
