Jacoby Jones takes less money to return to Ravens

Jacoby Jones was once again being Jacoby Jones.

The receiver and return specialist decided to return to Baltimore, agreeing to a four-year, $14 million contract on Wednesday. This was reportedly less than what he could've made if he'd gone with the Giants.

He met with reporters to discuss the deal on Thursday.

Here are some selected quotes from the presser.

Jacoby, it was reported that you took less money to stay here in Baltimore. If that's true, why?

"Honestly, when I was in New York, I was walking around and I think I came to my senses, really. I wasn't even thinking about the money. It's the fact that this is probably the only place that will let me be myself. The city, the state, the organization, the coaches, they know I  kind of don't have it all up here, up top - some loose ends - and they all accept that." (laughter)

So, you were with the Giants and the phone sort of rang? How close were you with the Giants when you heard about Baltimore's interest? 

"I was with the Giants, got in the car, was supposed to go downtown to the hotel for dinner, and I told the driver, I said, ‘Head towards Newark. Take me to the airport.' And I told my agent that I do know I'm coming home, and I should have probably ate the dinner and caught the next flight this morning, because the plane that I got on, I thought I wasn't going to make it, man. (laughter) I've never been on a plane with propellers. (laughter) That sucker just was dipping on me. I was like, ‘Whoa.'"

How much has Gary Kubiak's arrival played into the fact that you had a relationship with him before?

"You know, I know I don't know my father, so I really think [Gary] Kubiak is my biological father. (laughter) We're going to have a DNA test to make sure. (laughter) You know, he always played that role, and it's funny, because we had a conversation one time and I was sitting in the chair when I was a knucklehead, and he told me, he was like, ‘When you slow down and mature, you'll have a chance to make a lot of money.' He said, ‘Maybe when Houston fires my ass.' And they did, but now you're here to be a Raven, baby. We're back together. (laughter) That was a true story, though."

What was it like seeing Gary Kubiak today, and do you feel like you have matured where you can break out career-wise?

"When I saw him, I hadn't seen that smile. He kind of rubs his hair a certain way and feels his [swagger], you know what I'm talking about? (laughter) He's my guy. He's in good spirits. Coach Rick [Dennison] is, [too]. Just to see a smile on their faces is a good thing."

You said you did take less money. Was it significantly less to come here?

"I don't know. I'm not good at math, but it was good enough."

When the season ended, were you confident it would work out this way, or were you worried that it may not work out?

"Well, I must say coach Harbaugh, he is a man of his word. We had a talk on the plane after the [final] game, and he said, ‘We're going to make this work, because I want you to stay here.' I said, ‘Yeah, I want to retire here.' So, I came here. I said that pretty fast, huh?"

How much do you feel like you've matured since you came to Baltimore, from the Super Bowl success to the "Dancing with the Stars" and all that? How much has that changed you as a person?

"When I came here and sat down with coach John [Harbaugh], he was like, ‘We want you to be you, no matter what. Be yourself; play the game.' And I was like, ‘I appreciate that.' He lets you be a man, and it matured me. So everything I've done, I just take it in stride and don't take it for granted. That matures you as a man."

There is a lot of reported interest by the Ravens in Steve Smith. Your thoughts on that?

"I know he can play. It'd be nice. I'm open arms. If you can play and they like you, I love you."