The New York Giants have wideout Hakeem Nicks back at workouts as mandatory minicamp begins and no one is happier about that than quarterback Eli Manning, who has been working without Nicks and Cruz this offseason and spending more time throwing balls to Louis Murphy.
A few years ago the New York Giants made safety Chad Jones out of LSU their third-round draft pick, but after the former Tigers star was in a car accident and then suffered a setback with his injury, the team released him and he eventually went back to his other sport of baseball, which is why he was drafted last week in the MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds.
According to CBS Sports, Jones was selected by the Reds in the 9th round of the draft with the 285th overall pick and while that doesn't guarantee him a spot on the team, it marks a remarkable turnaround for the former Giant after suffering a serious leg injury. Jones played baseball at LSU while also starring on the football team and this year marks the third time he was drafted in the MLB Draft, following his selections by the Astros in 2007 in the 13th round and the Brewers in 2010 in the 50th round.
Jones had a very good college career while playing in the outfield and later as a pitcher and reliever and he was on the Tigers when LSU won the 2009 College World Series and according to the report, he is one of a few players to win both a BCS championship in football and a CWS championship in baseball. Jones decided to focus on baseball after dealing with the recovery from his injuries sustained in a car crash after being drafted by the Giants in 2010. Scouts say that Jones has good speed with his fastball and a solid slider and if he can keep up the velocity he may have a place in the team's system and their future.
Jones was injured after his SUV hit a pole in Louisiana and he suffered a serious broken leg and ankle injury that needed surgery. The team worked with Jones after the injury and after he recovered it looked as if he had a chance to continue his NFL career, but after suffering a setback that appeared not to be in the cards. Jones has been through a number of surgeries and now he appears ready to continue his professional sporting career in baseball.
