Stay in Louisville and you'll be a star. Former Louisville Male wide receiver Montrell Jones heard it his entire senior season. Now a junior, Jones transferred back to his hometown Louisville Cardinals and is ready to take on the title of leader. With a sold-out crowd in his hometown stadium for his hometown team, this weekend could be Jones' big game.

Interestingly enough, Jones isn't talking about his catches or personal stats. Montrell has been painted as a 'pass me the ball' kind of playmaker. No- despite his supposed image of Keyshawn Johnson-esque demands, talk to Montrell for more than a couple of questions and two topics come up- teamwork and winning.

"This team is as good as we want ourselves to be. If everybody continues to work hard- which I think everybody will because this is a special team," Montrell says. "Then we can be just as good as we allow ourselves to be. If we go out an execute every Saturday like we practice, if we run the plays like we are taught to run the plays then we'll be fine."

But what about the ever-present running game? A flashy playmaking receiver like Jones has to be getting frustrated with the success at Lionel Gates, Eric Shelton, Michael Bush and others have had at runningback, right?

"We've totally executed like I thought we could. We've run the ball, we can throw the ball," Jones said, shifting the focus quickly back to team. "We've run the ball a lot more than I expected the first three games, but one thing I can say is that we've got a passing repertoire that people haven't seen yet."

"I never second guess Coach Petrino and staff because they game plan just as hard as we practice out here on the field- people may not know that. They put in the long hours and I'm not going to second guess because ever since the beginning they've shown me they know what they are doing."

With seven catches for 76 yards in the first three games, Jones has had some impressive plays. But even when asked what has been his favorite play of the young season, Jones turns away from individual success at receiver and points to his punt returns.

"Really, I am not looking to an offensive play so much as a punt return. That is an aspect of the team that we are looking to improve on," Jones said with a smile. "I know we've been close, but special teams is something we have improved on and we'll continue to improve on."

Coach Petrino recently praised Jones for his ability to fair-catch on punts, usually saving the Cards valuable yards the ball could have bounced if left to fall on its own.

"Field position is very important when you are talking about playing some of the teams we've played and we will play," Jones explained. "It is very important if you can start on your 37 instead of further back. If you can start on their side of the field, that will win you football games. Special teams can win football games just as much as offense and defense."

And what about Miami? Surely big-game Montrell Jones has some thoughts about the Canes, right?

"ECU is going to come in here and play hard. We know that. It is a conference game and a big game, but we'll come out on the field, run our plays and try to execute to the best of our abilities," Jones said. "11-on-11 this weekend, we'll take it from there."

OK, so how about the billboard. The University of Louisville recently christened a billboard promoting Jones, Michael Bush, Eric Shelton and Brian Brohm as "Kentucky's Finest". Did the photographers catch Montrell's best side?

"It doesn't matter if that is my best side or my worst side up there- it was a catch and that is all that matters," Montrell replied with a laugh.

Sportswriters love a player who talks a big game- filling headlines and producing 'bulletin-board' material for other teams. Recently, however, Jones seems content to do his talking on the field.