FOXBORO, Mass. — Cyrus Jones is switching allegiances in the New England Patriots-Baltimore Ravens rivalry.
The Patriots second-round draft pick grew up in Baltimore as a Ravens fan and never looked forward to seeing the Patriots on the schedule.
“I grew up a Ravens fan, so any time we played the Patriots, I definitely was scared of Tom Brady,” Jones said Friday in his introductory news conference. “Obviously he’s one of the greatest quarterbacks to step foot into this league. I’m just honored to be a part of his team. He’s a winner, and everybody likes winning. I consider myself a winner, so I’m looking forward to working with him and trying to get to another Super Bowl and winning.”
Despite rooting for the Ravens growing up, Jones wanted to come to New England as he completed the pre-draft process.
“Unbelievable. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, honestly,” Jones said. “It’s a dream come true to be in the best (organization) in the National Football League — great ownership, great coaching, great locker room. I’m excited.”
Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced Jones, nicknamed Clamp Clampington, will wear No. 24, a jersey that has an impressive legacy among former Patriots cornerbacks.
“Definitely a lot of history, guys like Ty Law, Darrelle Revis,” Jones said. “Great defensive backs and great players. Two of the greatest players to ever step foot in the National Football League. It’s definitely a legacy behind the number, and I want to make my own legacy with the number.”
Law was one of the players Jones admired while growing up. Jones, 22, was a year old when Law was drafted by the Patriots in 1995.
“I knew who Ty Law was before I came here and watched him as a young kid still trying to learn the game,” Jones said. “Definitely remember watching him make a lot of plays on TV.”
The Patriots made Jones the 60th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft last Friday. He starred as a cornerback, punt returner and wide receiver for four years at Alabama.
He joins a young, competitive Patriots cornerback group, which also includes Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Justin Coleman, Darryl Roberts and E.J. Biggers.
The 5-foot-10, 197-pound rookie was a boundary corner at Alabama but could project in the slot in his first year in the NFL.
Thumbnail photo via Thumbnail photo via Doug Kyed/NESN
