Chandler Jones Doesn't Care Who Plays QB For Patriots: 'Whoever Is Back There, I'm Getting After Him'

By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston

BOSTON (CBS) -- Knowing Bill Belichick and the Patriots' gameplan-specific approach to their opponents, you'd think Arizona Cardinals defensive end and former Patriot Chandler Jones would know not to say anything that Belichick could use against him.

Too late. Jones may have set himself up for failure with his comments he made over the weekend as a guest on Sirius XM NFL Radio, saying he planned to "circle that game in red marker," referring to the Cardinals' season-opening showdown with the Patriots at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Sept. 11. "The NFL already contacted me and told me I'd probably be mic'd up for that game. So that will be a fun game to listen to."

That's not the part that could get him in trouble, though; when asked about the Patriots quarterback situation, and whether he would be facing Tom Brady or Jimmy Garoppolo, Jones said: "It doesn't matter. Whoever is back there, I'm getting after him, for sure."

This is Rex Ryan-level stupidity with Jones here. One way to get shut down, if not embarrassed, by the Patriots, is to straight-up say you're going to beat them in any way, shape or form. It's not that Jones disrespected the team - it's that Belichick will now treat these words as a sign of disrespect to his offensive line. Jones had already shown a tendency to disappear in big games or big situations, so there may be no more predictable outcome in sports right now than Jones doing absolutely nothing Week 1.

The problem for the Patriots is it won't be that simple to exploit the Cardinals defense; they also have All-Pro defensive end Calais Campbell and the Cards' excellent secondary to worry about. But Belichick was surely planning on neutralizing Jones in the Patriots' gameplan anyway; these comments just seal the deal.

Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.