Falcons make trade for Alabama WR Julio Jones
Alabama's Julio Jones (8) makes a catch for a touchdown as Georgia's Bryan Evans defends during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff pulled off a major shocker, trading up into the first round to select wide receiver Julio Jones.
The Falcons reportedly sent their first, second and fourth round picks along with next seasons’ first round pick to move up 21 spots.
Here is Jones’ bio:
Julio Jones, Alabama, 6-3, 221: He is from Foley, Ala. He set school records with 194 catches, 3,287 yards and 43 touchdowns at Foley High. He was rated the No. 1 receiver in the nation by rivals.com and scout.com. He signed with Alabama over Florida State, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas Tech. As a freshman, he led the Crimson Tide with 58 catches. He also had 924 yards receiving and four touchdowns. In his sophomore season, Jones battled through a string of juniors. He rebounded to help the Crimson Tide win the BCS national championship as he caught 43 passes for 596 yards and four touchdowns. Last season, he caught 78 passes for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns. He was noted for his downfield blocking in the run game. Also, he did have some problems with the occasional dropped pass. Despite having a broken bone in his foot, he turned in a phenomenal workout at the scouting combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, had a broad jump of 11 feet, 3 inches and a vertical jump of 38 1/2 inches.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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384 comments Add your comment
SIMP
April 29th, 2011
10:11 am
Great move. 3 straight winning seasons. Think TD and Smitty know what they’re doing.
MTGUMMIBEAR
April 29th, 2011
10:22 am
My “other” team is the Vikings and trades like this always send shivers up and down my spine. All I can think of is how the Vikings gave the Cowboys MULTIPLE Super Bowl Championships by trading for Herschel Walker. Granted it’s apples and oranges because Herschel was past his prime, but trades like this seldom turn out well. I just hope I’m wrong.
Joe Tess Fish House
April 29th, 2011
10:34 am
What a dum move by theFlacons. Realy dum. If they whould of had sighed TO last season they would not of had 2 give away all there draft pix.Insteed they draft a guy with a girls name.
Way 2 go Mr Blanks
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & TIred
April 29th, 2011
10:36 am
Only time will tell whether or not this was a good move for the Falcons.
Until then…..all of the naysayers are simply speculating (aka just folks trying to predict the future).
Tech Tony
April 29th, 2011
10:40 am
Without reading anyone else’s post, I’m probably repeating a common theme but here’s how I see it:
Given Dimitroff’s good maybe even great track record of finding solid players in the draft’s later rounds, this seems an awful lot to give up in exchange for any one player. I’m not all that high on Julio Jones personally but I can concede that there’s a possibility he can be a game changer; at that, however, I can’t see how any one single player that’s not a quarterback can be worth five.
What I take from the deal is that the Falcons A.) expect to improve their defensive personnel once the free agency period begins or B.) that the staff sees so many holes that not all of them can be fixed so they’ve adopted the strategy simply trying to outscore the opposition.
I don’t like being skeptical but this one’s a head scratcher to me. Right now I’d say the risks involved are unlikely to justify the reward but hopefully I’m dead wrong.
Edward
April 29th, 2011
10:53 am
I don’t drink but the Falcons trade almost made me take one.
Jerry Glanville
April 29th, 2011
10:59 am
Please people, TD has taken us to a level that we have never seen before. This is now a well respected organization, have you guys really forget about free agency? We are very lucky to have him at the controls. several plus’s here.
Blocking down field – (we are a run first offense) how many times have we ALMOST broke away for a touchdown? Do not underestimate good blocking. I know it’s not glamourous.
Speed – This young stud will take away the double team on Roddie White, If you remember, Roddie dropped several balls early in his career. Our Coach’s worked this out of him!
I am really suprised at all the people who complain when we don’t make aggresive move’s are now here complaining when we do.
I grew up here in Atlanta, I went to my first game at 8 years old, I have watched every game (that was not blacked out) for many , many years) I trust this organization, I trust TD!
GO FALCONS!
bascogcjs
April 29th, 2011
11:00 am
lpthebrain, who said anything about aj green?
Jones is injury prone.
You don’t give up five draft picks for a wr who will miss multiple games every year.
A Real Fan
April 29th, 2011
11:02 am
You guys that are against the Jones deal are idiots and are probably the same ones that thought they gave up too much money for Matty Ice
Jesse Stone
April 29th, 2011
11:03 am
Julio seems to perform well when playing in the state of Georgia.
Jesse Stone
April 29th, 2011
11:04 am
…..especially with a lot of black shirts in the crowd.
FALCONS FANNNN
April 29th, 2011
11:18 am
this article was taken from http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/02/26/jones-takes-pride-in-blocking-ability
this is something to be excited about
INDIANAPOLIS — In Alabama’s game against South Carolina on Oct. 9, WR Julio Jones fractured a bone in his hand. The next week, he played through the pain, but caught only one pass for eight yards.
The next week, he had a slightly better outcome: he grabbed 12 passes for a school-record 221 yards against Tennessee. It is that toughness that has NFL scouts looking at Jones as a top-15 pick in this year’s draft.
Much of Jones’ Saturday news conference at the NFL Scouting Combine focused on his blocking ability, not the normal topic of conversation for a receiver. But then again, Jones isn’t your typical receiver: when asked who he models his game after, the first name out of his mouth was Ravens MLB Ray Lewis.
“I love how (Lewis) plays, Hines Ward as well, the way he blocks, the way he is committed on every play,” Jones said. “I have a defensive mentality, I’m not scared to hit, I’m a physical guy, and I look for that. I like to hit defensive players because they’re not used to getting hit, they’re used to hitting offensive players and getting them out of their comfort zone, so when I hit them I try to get them out of their comfort zone.”
For Jones, who checked in at the Combine at 6-2, 220 pounds, takes pride in his blocking ability because he views it as a way to help out his teammates.
“I’m not a selfish player,” Jones said. “I go out there and block. I know just like the running back, he has got to sit in there for protection when I go out there for a deep pass. I want the ball, too, when I go out, so I know he’s going to block for me and he’s going to handle his responsibilities, so I try to do the same.”
Inevitably, Jones was asked to compare himself to fellow SEC star A.J. Green, and offer his opinion on who is the better receiver. However, Jones refused to make any predictions about Green, who is training for the draft at the same facility that Jones is, and whom Jones considers a friend.
“A.J. Green is a great receiver, and there’s a whole bunch of other guys that are great as well,” Jones said. “I can’t say I’m better than (A.J.), I can’t say he’s better than me.”
In addition to his physical style of play, Jones also had to battle through multiple injuries during the season, not just the broken hand. But Jones refused to make any excuses.
“A lot of guys have injuries,” Jones said. “Unfortunately I had probably more than everybody else, but I didn’t quit, I didn’t stop, it didn’t hold me back, I didn’t miss any practice, or nothing like that. I finished my season.”
Decatur J
April 29th, 2011
11:28 am
Great move Falcons, I’m just glad they’re trying, saw something they liked and went for it…I trust the front office of the Falcons, I think they add defense in free agency and get a few 2012 picks back through trades. We can’t evaluate the move until we see what happens on the field and what we do in free agency.
Take the gun away from your head falcons fans…back away from the ledge!!
Chucktown38
April 29th, 2011
11:42 am
When its all said and done JJ will be a better pro than Green.All of you need to quit crying TD and company know what they are doing so get back to your own jobs and collect all the carts from the walmart parking lot
npgator
April 29th, 2011
11:47 am
Since Newton was drafter first does this mean he won’t be taking a cut in pay from what he was making at Auburn?
FlexLuth
April 29th, 2011
12:09 pm
I think we traded to much, but I like having a receiver with that kind of height and speed. All the weapons in the world wont help if we cant teach Mike Mularkey how to call plays. It wont matter what you do if you continue to Run, Run, Pass every freaking time you have the ball.
myrak43
April 29th, 2011
12:16 pm
the falcons was a 13 win team. they don’t need multiple draft picks, they need impact players. I feel they got the best WR for them. JJ will be a number two. and dont forget we still have free agency. I have a feeling the Blank will be spending some of the Home Depot money in the FA market for Defense
Falcons for Champs!!
April 29th, 2011
12:17 pm
GREAT MOVE!!!!!!! couldn’t have been better
1.) we save the money we would have to pay those other picks.
2.)Arthur Blank Okay’d this move, so he will be spending money in FA(Can you say Nnamdi Asoumogha??)
3.) We still have 6 more Picks.
4.) T.D still can trade Jenkins, Douglas, Snelling or somebody and get another 2nd for next year or late first.
This move makes Roddy being doubled less effective with a similar guy on the other side who is more explosive. Yeah we needed Defensive help, but who were we going to take at 27? Yeah, Bowers dropped but it was for a reason and I still wouldn’t mind having him if we can trade players. Give it half a season and T.D will be up for another executive of the year honor..Especially if him and Arthur sign Nnamdi
Sid
April 29th, 2011
12:40 pm
LP the Brain
April 29th, 2011
9:49 am
*********************************
Huh? One 1st round this year, one 1st round next year………..that = 2.
Plus 3 more picks…………….
Sid
April 29th, 2011
12:41 pm
Another thought comes to mind………….not that Roddy is going thru the motions but drafting Jones might amp up his game a notch.
just saying
April 29th, 2011
1:09 pm
Don’t fret, When Justin Houston stops falling,we can pick him in the third round! Great trade of picks for Julio Jones! Most of the later round picks won’t help as much jj. Has Witherspoon or Jerry helped that much from the last two drafts? I am just happy the Falcons didn’t just sit there for the Tenth best Defensive End!I have followed the draft for as long as the Falcons have existed, and this is one of the better moves the falcons have ever made! Besides who would want a player as dumb as A.J, and I am a big dawg fan!
SawThat1nce
April 29th, 2011
2:05 pm
Do many WRs make an impact in their 1st year in the NFL?
SawThat1nce
April 29th, 2011
2:07 pm
I hope that the Falcons can speed up their pass rush through FA, if there is a season this year.
hiramsaint
April 29th, 2011
2:24 pm
bought a tool that ryan can’t use unless you make him a t.e. who runs routes in matty meltdowns range . i wonder how the saints did . think i’ll go check it out.
4yr Season Ticket Holder
April 29th, 2011
2:24 pm
I cant believe we still have idots saying we gave up TWO first round picks…. It’ll be ok guys, we still have six more picks this year and we still have free agency! Roddy turns 30 this year & we traded up for as close to a sure thing as you can get and filled a need at the same time. Guys please stop thinking your smarter than TD just because you play madden or own a fantasy team… GD! We were 13-3 last year!!!
Steve
April 29th, 2011
3:52 pm
There is a typo in the photo caption. Bryan Evan was not playing anything close to “defense” when he was at UGA, let alone in that gave against Alabama…
Tim j Dong
April 29th, 2011
6:24 pm
JOEY THE BULL you r an absolute MORON! Julio Jones will be mediocre & probably hurt for most of his career. He works hard at . . . DROPPING BALLS that’s right.
As for your juvenile comment that ‘we the fans must know better than the front office,’ unfortunately it appears that is the case!
TD PULLED A MAJOR MATT MILLEN THIS YEAR!
Totally Unnecessary & JJ is NOT WORTH what we gave up. AJ GREEN & PATRICK PETERSON will most likely be in the HOF in the future. Julio Jones . . . maybe in your BAMA HoF, but I could even see that NOT happening @ such a storied program.
Congrats BROWnS u took us behind the shed on this one!
The Big Chicken
April 29th, 2011
7:08 pm
GREAT MOVE TD….AS I RECALL MATTY ICE, KINDA SORTA GAVE THAT GREEN BAY GAME AWAY…WHY…I THINK HE WAS LOOKING FOR RODDY WHITE TO MUCH..HE NEEDS ANOTHER PLAYMAKER…BUT GREEN BAY DOES HAVE A NICE ‘D’ I MEAN THEY DID WIN THE SUPER BOWL..
I come in peace, I didn’t bring artillery. But I am pleading with you with tears in my eyes: If you #uck with me, I’ll kill you all.
Marine General James Mattis,
hiramsaint
April 29th, 2011
7:20 pm
kinda sorta ?????? how about conceded , it’s more appropriate and descriptive
jc_dawgs
April 30th, 2011
10:18 am
You can talk all day long about what the Falcons had to give up. They already have a lot of good young talent on defense…and on paper there starting lineup on offense just got that much better.
Bottom line….J Jones >>>>M Jenkins
hiramsaint
April 30th, 2011
10:26 am
hey jc- where was that talent against the pack? did they think the game was the next day and not show up ? gb didn’t even have to punt!
oo 1
April 30th, 2011
4:40 pm
A Green isn t near ju jonesmarc my saying JU JONES is better .a j s so babis .Can t beat Jones at noying
ORLANDO POP ROLL TIDE
April 30th, 2011
8:01 pm
MARK THIS DOWN To all you AJ loving fans Julio Jones is a much better overall receiver than A J .AJ played in a pro style offense with a #1 Quarterback pass first. JULIO played in a run first offense with aHEISMAN TROPHY player in MARK INGRAM.Julio is faster stronger and tougher than AJ GREEN.I VE NEVER SEEN A TEAM TAKE julio out of the game but I VE SEEN AJ crawling on the field injured.While Julio is riding EHE BIRDS to the SUPER BOWL AJ will be shut down and injured by the likes of Pittsburgh and BALTIMORE.You all seem to forget that JULIO AND CO. KNOCKED THE BLACK OUT IN ATHENS NO PUN INTENDED and while JULIO enjoyed a great game AJ WAS SHUI DOWN.i D RATHER GO TO WAR WITH AMAN INSTEAD OF A TIPPIN TEENAGER.Please check the head to head stats THE above picture is no fluke
drsoul
April 30th, 2011
11:30 pm
Easy decision here between Green and JJ….rather have a kid out of college coached by the Saban Machine than the Richt Rabblehouse…. JJ is a multi-purpose addition…he displayed many more talents than Green (and not to disparage Green and his own abilities)… JJ will last longer than Green in the Big Show… he will work harder and has already been groomed for the professional arena… unfortunately, Green has only trained and been prepared for the sandlot league… believe me, the men in the front office are eons above the Smith family….they have proven that they are walking the right path… Jones will fit in well at all levels….remember, a SABAN product…!!!!