New York Giants

Giants' Brett Jones working on transition from CFL to NFL

Published May. 12, 2015 11:47 a.m. ET

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Brett Jones got his first taste of NFL action when the New York Giants held their rookie minicamp last weekend. His first taste came served up with a side of harsh critique from Giants offensive line coach Pat Flaherty. Proper hand usage was what Flaherty harped on when spending extra time with Jones.

"I've just got to keep working on keeping my hands up. It's been like that in most of the drills," Jones said in the locker room after Friday's workout. "It's just all learning about what's expected of you, and going out and not making those same mistakes twice."

Getting down the proper way to deploy his hands in blocking probably won't be the only technique hurdle that Jones has to overcome. There are two key differences between the CFL game that Jones has dominated and the NFL game he hopes to establish himself in. In the CFL, defensive linemen must line up one full yard off the ball at the snap. In the NFL, Jones could step in tomorrow and be lined up helmet-to-helmet with 350-pound nose tackle Damon Harrison. Speaking of weight, Jones is used to matching up with CFL defensive linemen who weigh in closer to the 309 pounds that he weighs in at himself.

Jones also understands those to be the key areas where he needs to put in extra work.

"The one yard is definitely a big difference, and the under center snaps. Those are the two key things that the CFL just doesn't do," Jones said. "I've got a lot to work on, definitely."

If and when he can make the transition, Jones' upside is undeniable. In his two seasons in the CFL playing professional football for the Calgary Stampeders, Jones won the league's Most Outstanding Rookie Award in 2013, and he was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 2014. He became the only offensive lineman to ever win the rookie award in the CFL's existence.

The 23-year old lineman hopes that the extra time spent at the rookie minicamp will pay off in the long run.

"Just being able to get out here in mini-camp has been a great advantage for me. I can get out and get a feel for the speed of the game and that no yard with the nose. ... It's just different for the center with the shade being right on top of you," Jones said. "The footwork and the hands have to be a lot faster than they would in the CFL."

Jones could take some time to transition, but the Giants are fine with that. He signed a three-year undrafted free agent contract worth $1.575 million, so the Giants won't feel any need to rush him along.

In year one, he is expected to compete for a role as a reserver center behind projected starter Weston Richburg. However, the Giants have assembled their offensive line with a focus on versatility, so that may not be the only position the team throws at him right away.

"I'm assuming I'd have to learn some guard, definitely. I've just been at center so far," Jones said. "As an offensive lineman you want to be as versatile as possible, so if I can play guard and center that would probably be best for me."

Keep an eye on Jones' progress as the team moves on through OTAs and training camp. He still has a ways to go, but he projects as a nice long-term fit in Ben McAdoo's predominantly zone-blocking offensive scheme.

(h/t Big Blue View)

Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports