Eagles punter Donnie Jones is in the midst of a franchise record setting season and has been named NFC Special Teams Player of The Week. Image courtesy of NJ.com
Philadelphia Eagles punter Donnie Jones turned in a historic effort on Sunday against the Washington Redskins and on Wednesday was named this NFC Special Teams Player of The Week for week 11.
Jones' effort was highlighted by 70-yard booming punt that set his career best mark with 3:37 remaining in a one-possession game that forced the Redskins to begin a critical drive in the shadow of their own goalpost. It was the longest punt unfurled by an Eagles punter since Randall Cunningham booted one 80 yards in 1994.
"At that point in the game, it was a huge play," Jones said after the Eagles 24-16 win of his punt that bounced out of bounds at the four-yard line. "You have to try and stay mentally calm in that situation and just go out and execute. You try to look at it as just another punt. Of course in that situation, if you let all those thoughts play into your head, it's going to distract you from going out and doing your job, so as a unit I thought we executed really well.
"As soon as I hit it, I knew [I hit it well]," Jones said. "A lot of times those balls, when they come off your foot, you never feel them. It was kind of one of those. As soon as I hit it, I looked up and just saw it take off as a spiral. The guy didn't field it. We got a great bounce, and it rolled out at the 4."
By day's end Jones posted a franchise record 50.7 yards per punt average.
The ten-year veteran is proving to be one of the most valuable free agent acquisitions made by the Eagles brass. His net punting average this season (40.9) is tops in team history, and his gross (45.4) is third.
Jones now joins Nick Foles and DeSean Jackson who have been honored as players of the week this season. Foles has taken home the honor twice this season.
Matt Lombardo is the Editor-In-Chief of Eagledelphia and also an on-air personality on 97.5 FM The Fanatic in Philadelphia. Join the conversation and follow Matt on Twitter.
