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Poll: Indianapolis Colts release former Raven DL Arthur Jones. Should Baltimore bring him back?

Where will the former Raven land next?

AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts v New England Patriots Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

The Baltimore Ravens drafted defensive end Arthur Jones in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Syracuse, and he would go on to help the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII by registering a sack and a fumble recovery during the teams 34-31 win. He also notched 4.5 sacks during the 2012 regular season. 2013 was the final year of Jones rookie contract and he certainly made a statement that he deserved to be paid that upcoming offseason, notching 4.5 sacks and 53 tackles in 14 games.

That offseason, Jones would not be disappointed as he signed a 5-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts that was worth more than $30 million. Unfortunately, the good times would stop rolling for the brother of UFC fighter Jon "Bones" Jones and Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones.

In 2014, Jones would only play in nine games due to a lingering ankle injury, and he recorded only 1.5 sacks that season. Jones would then need ankle surgery and missed the entire 2015 season. Last year, Jones was suspended for the first four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He returned from his suspension and played eight games until a groin injury put him back on injured reserve. On Friday morning, Arthur Jones's time in Indianapolis came to an end as the team announced his release.

With his release, the Colts save $5 million in cap space and create $2 million in dead money. With a new regime in charge in Indianapolis, Jones was labeled a potential cap causality, and is now considered part of the mess former Colts general manager Ryan Grigson's created while in charge.

Jones now joins a long list of former Ravens who, unfortunately, didn't play up to their contract after leaving Baltimore. A list that includes former teammates such as Cary Williams, Dannell Ellerbe, and Paul Kruger. For the second time in four seasons, the former Ravens draft pick from Syracuse will have to find a new home for 2017. Which begs the question, should general manager Ozzie Newsome consider bringing Jones back to Baltimore?

While free agents like Kyle Juszczyk, Kamar Aiken, and Ricky Wagner departed the team over the last few weeks, there is another player who left for greener pastures that hasn't been discussed all that much, defensive end Lawrence Guy. The Ravens claimed Guy off waivers in 2014 from the San Diego Chargers, and over the last three seasons, he became an underrated contributor on the defense. Especially when it came to stopping the run. Guy signed a 4-year, $20 million contract with the defending world champion New England Patriots this offseason, leaving the Ravens with a hole on the defensive line.

On the depth chart, the Ravens have Brent Urban and the sophomore Bronson Kaufusi slated to take over Guy's position. While Urban played in all 16 games last season and notching two sacks, Kaufusi missed the entire season with a broken ankle. A veteran signing could help in terms of adding depth at the position. Arthur Jones, at this stage of his career, is more in line as a rotational player. Jones could add solid depth at defensive end for Baltimore once again in a familiar system if Newsome considers bringing him back, if he can stay healthy that is.

Poll

Would you want Ozzie Newsome to bring back Arthur Jones?

This poll is closed

  • 40%
    Yes.
    (386 votes)
  • 59%
    No.
    (575 votes)
961 votes total Vote Now