Byron Jones Draws Praise From Witten, Marinelli

Jones was selected by Dallas with the 27th overall pick in the draft

On Wednesday, Dallas Cowboys first round pick Byron Jones got the best of Jason Witten in the two-minute drill, batting Tony Romo’s pass down on a 3rd-and-1. The play drew some praise from Witten afterward, but it was a subdued kind of praise. Wouldn’t want the rookie getting comfortable, after all.

That was a good play,” Witten said, per Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “He made a good play. I think anything you can get in a competitive situation. He is coming on there. He is playing the slot. He does a good job.”

On the field, Witten suggested to the rookie that he was holding on the play. The official watching over practice didn’t throw a flag, but Jones readily defers to the 10-time Pro Bowler.

“He said it was holding. I’ve got to believe him,” Jones said. “He’s been doing this for 13 years. I was probably holding him, but that’s part of the deal. Competing every play.”

Witten hasn’t been the only one impressed by Jones. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli likes what he sees out of the rookie too, but also like Witten, he readily tempers his praise.

“He’s going to face receivers big like [Witten],” Marinelli said. “That’s one thing we liked about him is he’s got that size and jumping ability and good range. It’s just day by day. Don’t get too excited or too low especially this time of year. Get him to camp ready to play.”

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