Julio Jones is Jerry Rice’s 2012 breakout receiver
110812 Atlanta - Smoke and fire surround Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Julio Jones as he enters the stadium to take on the Miami Dolphins at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Friday, August 12, 2011. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
BIRDLAND — Hall of Famer Jerry Rice is clearly a reader of the blog.
He has taken note of the fact that second-year wide receiver Julio Jones won our coveted minicamp MVP award.
Rice, who made it a practice of torching the Falcons secondary on a regular basis during the old NFC West
Jerry Rice with his Hall of Fame bust back in 2010. (Associated Press).
days, believes that Jones will be the league’s breakout pass-catcher for 2012.
“I love this kid,” Rice said on ESPN’s SportsCenter, per ProFootballTalk.com. “He’s awesome. He’s big, he’s fast. …I think he’s gonna have a breakout season this coming year.”
Jones put up impressive numbers last season after the Falcons sent five picks to Cleveland to move up 21 spots in the draft.
He played in 11 full games — he left two games early – and led all rookies with eight touchdowns. He was second in yards with 959, just 98 yards less than Bengals rookie A.J. Green, and third with 54 receptions.
Falcons coach Mike Smith told us yesterday that he expects the offense to receive a boost from Jones and second-year running back Jacquizz Rodgers.
“Julio had a very good year for us last year and so did Jacquizz,” Smith said. “I think they’ll be integral parts of the success we have this year.”
For the record, Rice, the league’s all-time reception leader, played 29 games against the Falcons and had a 20-8-1 record. He had 175 catches, 2,731 yards and 25 touchdowns against the Falcons. All of those marks were career-highs against one team for Rice. Numbers courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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121 comments Add your comment
Rick
July 12th, 2012
3:37 pm
1st
Rick
July 12th, 2012
3:41 pm
Wow first twice in one week! I am the man like Julio! He will be the ultimate BEAST this year and a force to reckon with! Beware NFL, when the great Jerry Rice signs off on you it means he recognizes greatness. The Falcons got the right one. Look for 1500 yards 100 catches and at least 18I TD’S from Julio this year! Go birds!
SeenThisB4
July 12th, 2012
3:42 pm
He won’t have a break out year, and this write up virtually assures it.
Marcus
July 12th, 2012
3:43 pm
blast off, Mr. Jones.
tim
July 12th, 2012
3:51 pm
Wasn’t jones suppose to be “the man’ last year??
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 12th, 2012
3:52 pm
Congats Rick!
Seen, you’re so negative.
SeenThisB4
July 12th, 2012
3:54 pm
Teams will be a bit more prepared to defend Julie Jones this year. Last year, he was a rookie, and an unknown, albeit an expensive unknown (5 picks!) so he was often just left out there by himself. That won’t happen this year, and his production will be diminished.
PMC
July 12th, 2012
3:57 pm
Jerry Rice is known for his workout regimine and not caring about being involved in shennagans. In other words… game recognise game.
Julio Jones has the work eithic and the physical attributes.
He missed 3 games last year and was still ridiculous IN HIS 1ST YEAR! He is an absolute beast, I just need to see him be more proficient with his hands, and stay healthy.
If the situation at left tackle and right guard is stablized even a little bit, all the Falcon receivers are going to have big years.
JF McNamara
July 12th, 2012
3:59 pm
Unless he’s learned to come back to the ball like Roddy or is going to be a big yards after catch guy, he won’t be having anything. Matt Ryan simply can’t get it down the field. It’s not the line or the receivers.
It’s the college professor’s weak arm stopping this offense from being explosive. He’s one of the worst deep ball throwers in the league, and its going to stop Julio from being a top 10 guy.
sainthater
July 12th, 2012
4:08 pm
SeenThisB4 how are the Aints going to be without Brees? U to damn cheap to pay the one guy u got 2 hue dat?
Rick
July 12th, 2012
4:10 pm
Kudos to boot from DLed!? Man the weekend will be great. You cant help it Seen. You are a sad piece man. I have tried to give you a break but you troll a REAL Teams blog so you dont have to recognize the sewer and slop from your own team. Tim he was a rookie last year only played 11 games and still almost had a 1000 yard season. He is the man! As for you “seen” regardless if teams are more prepared for him he will have had a whole camp to be and get bettee and trust me he is better. The last time Rice signed off on a receiver i think his name was Fitzgerald or something how did he turn out? Respect the greatest receiver who ever played the game because he knows what he is talking about!
Dirtybird 82
July 12th, 2012
4:22 pm
Sainthater, please say that again! How can a chump like seenthisb4 have the never to blast any thing the Falcons do when his swamp team still hasn’t signed its best player. Seenthisb4, I guarantee you the Falcons would have signed Brees by now because we know how important he is to the team. But, that gutter team you so proudly pump up has no clue of doing the right thing. Goodell should ban that crappy organization just for not having Brees signed by now. “Who Dat!” What a joke!
warfalcon
July 12th, 2012
4:24 pm
seenthis,why don`t u go to the boring anints blog where they can not read or write.I know this is how u get your rocks off,Keep jacking B—- because u want be on this blog this year because the Falcon are going to be kicking A–,B—- and u will not have any thing to say B—-.
JSS
July 12th, 2012
4:35 pm
He was only “healthy” for “11 games!” Don’t confusion that with “playing!” All the talent in the world and can’t stay on the field equals always wanting more… Fitzgerald was not the last receiver Rice endorsed as the next big thing… And if this is from the Jerry Rice: “Best 10 receivers under the age of 26″ list? Funny, a undrafted free agent was his No. 1, his name is Victor Cruz! No. 2 was A.J. Green, and his operative words on Jones were the following: “I think he’s gonna have a breakout season this coming year.” “Troll” that!
RobbE33
July 12th, 2012
4:36 pm
Julio will come through if he’s spent the off-season preparing his body.
JSS
July 12th, 2012
4:40 pm
@ Ledbetter…
How are those Google Analytics going? Just don’t post that “Q” KRS-one pic again! I’m still having nightmares! :-[
Double Zero Eight
July 12th, 2012
5:17 pm
If Ryan can consistently deliver the ball long and with
accuracy, Julio will have an outstanding year.
Rick
July 12th, 2012
5:22 pm
I said nothing about being the best I think what I said is that he will be a BEAST this year. Get it right cha cha! And when you are hurt you are hurt, nothing to do with talent clown and it was his first year. Was Brees not injured at one time?! Dont make me hurt your feelings like the last guy did on the other blog and send you packing crying! Season is around the corner no need to talk to you Aint trolls that patrol the Falcon blog, you clowns have no clue. You here to discredit every Falcon post. Amd you know what you cried like a witch on the other blog when someone talked about your mom yet you take shots at DLED? Get back on your fry station before you are demoted back to the bathrooms.
True Falcon Fan
July 12th, 2012
5:59 pm
ZERO – my bet is your nightmares always happen when you see yourself in the mirror at time of bed for you – “You are a ZERO”!
Why don’t you just stick to the team and players you like i.e., Carson Palmer, Coach Bob Bartowski etc., I know coach Bob is a favorite of yours to talk about. Talking about Jerry Rice is afar from your perspective isn’t it? Plus the likes of Jerry Rice is for sure out of your league! Smoke on that awhile “ZERO”
Go Falcons!
BC
July 12th, 2012
6:13 pm
Jerry looks like he could still out play.
Firsttimer
July 12th, 2012
6:17 pm
Julio and AJ Green are going to be the top two receivers in the league in the near future. Julio is going to make the football world sit up and take notice starting this year. “Breakout Year”, couldn’t have said it better Jerry. He will be a Human Highlight Film.
thejama
July 12th, 2012
6:58 pm
How can Julio “say hello to my little friend” Jones NOT have another great year? He’s had an entire offseason and btw- Roddy, Tony, and Harry are all returning. Can’t cover them all, especially Julio with his wheels. Looking forward to seeing that back of #11’s jersey speeding down the field for bigtime catch and run td’s…again and again and again just like last year
Bucky Badger
July 12th, 2012
7:09 pm
Impressive comments by Rice…Julio WILL have a Breakout Year! Can’t wait for the Season!
DP
July 12th, 2012
7:21 pm
Based on his tweets on the Penn State scandal and with the exile of Terrell Owens, Roddy White has nailed down biggest idiot wide receiver in the NFL.
fan
July 12th, 2012
7:22 pm
hooolio can’t walk in the same shadow as Jerry Rice, or AJ Green for that matter.
Firsttimer
July 12th, 2012
7:32 pm
@fan
If you look at the stats you would see your point is baseless and without any substance to back it up. Compare julio’s year with AJ’s and you will see they were pretty darn close. And that with Julio missing some games and not starting others. Research can be an amazing thing.
Firsttimer
July 12th, 2012
7:34 pm
Could Jerry Rice walk in the same shadows as HOF receivers coming into his second season? WOW!
Anderson
July 12th, 2012
7:43 pm
Hmmm, this is the same Jerry Rice who prior to the 2011 NFL draft told everybody he preferred A.J. Green over Julio Jones. JR said that he had issues with Julio Jones’ hands. It appears as if JR is coming around as far as J Jones.
FootballTopFan
July 12th, 2012
8:23 pm
Football Top Fan agrees with Hall Of Fame receiver Jerry Rice !!!
Julio Jones will have a spectacular season for the Atlanta Falcons. He has the size and speed to open up the offense and spread the defense.
Football Top Fan would like to wish Julio Jones and the Atlanta Falcons the best of luck in the upcoming NFL season.
FootballTopFan@Yahoo.com
Michael M.
July 12th, 2012
9:12 pm
I remember when Jerry Rice played with San Francisco, and always you could count on that guy to get you huge yards and touchdowns in the ballgame. He always was a class to his self. Its good to see him give praise to Julio and recognize him for his abilities on the football field.
Bird Brain
July 12th, 2012
9:28 pm
Jerry Rice got into HOF in part because of Charles Dimry and Jerry Markwright. If I recall, JR started out with a dismal rookie year but worked on his game and strength conditioning to perfect the position. Sometimes I think that conditioning is a weak point of some of the Falcons (i.e., Turner, Baker, Ryan, etc.). The OL got pushed back last year. We need OL to get stronger and pancake the DLs this year.
Siantsluvbounty
July 12th, 2012
10:10 pm
Julio…Don’t u bring that goat in my junkyard empire now!
JSS
July 12th, 2012
10:14 pm
@ Clown TFF…
That is better than having envision you! Remember the 6th letter and the 21st letter… To paraphrase Wu Tang: “Sayonara B#$&@!”
DR. FALCON
July 13th, 2012
12:23 am
JULIO JONES’ SKILL-SET, IS OFF THE CHARTS! IF ANYBODY KNOWS A WR’S TALENTS, IT’S JERRY RICE! JULIO WILL MAKE THE PRO BOWL THIS YEAR!
Mike is Back
July 13th, 2012
7:56 am
Dled, that’s saying a lot…coming from the GREAT ONE…Jerry Rice…I still vividly remember a number of those torching…ask ole BIG PLAY RAY.lol
I think both Jones and White are going have strong seasons.
GO BIRDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
True Falcon Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:16 am
ZERO the predictable — ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
You think somebody owes you something – NOPE, NOTA, ZERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go F
True Falcon Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:17 am
True Falcon Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:16 am
ZERO the predictable — ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
You think somebody owes you something – NOPE, NOTA, ZERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Falcons!
#10Fan4Life
July 13th, 2012
9:18 am
Julio, thank you for the past memories and thank you for all the future memories I am looking forward to having! Roll Tide Roll………………..
yeahsure
July 13th, 2012
9:37 am
lol Seen,
So the league now has film on Graham. I guess you should cut him and put in a rookie.
In a couple years, they will have debates on whos best, Julio or Megatron.
yeahsure
July 13th, 2012
9:50 am
FAILCANT, so if you want to judge a team by it’s history, i guess you havent been an Aints fan that long. Man, I can’t wait til school starts so we don’t have to see these kids on here anymore.
Bullseye
July 13th, 2012
10:06 am
SB4 the second poster today with multiple posts. SB4 is forever blowing kisses to the Falcons while pretending to root for another team. Come out of that closet Seen.
Delbert D.
July 13th, 2012
10:07 am
The San Bernardino Saints. Has a nice ring to it.
aints=Dung
July 13th, 2012
11:36 am
We don’t need Jerry Rice’s input especially when we already know that JJ is gonna bring it.
Julio Jones is Jerry Rice’s 2012 breakout receiver | NFL Online News
July 13th, 2012
12:01 pm
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged 2012, breakout, Jerry, Jones, Julio, receiver, Rice's. Bookmark the permalink. ← Greg Jennings wonders if Lions can maintain their composure [...]
D man
July 13th, 2012
12:16 pm
Seen -teams will be better prepared but if they try to double cover Julio it will just open up the field for Roddy and Tony. Can’t double cover all of them. You know we are going to be a much stronger team this year. I can’t wait until pre season.
SeenThisB4
July 13th, 2012
1:13 pm
@Dman: Nobody is going to double cover Roddy or Tony, they’re too old and slow, in fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some nose tackles covering Tony this year. I don’t see how you can claim the falcan’ts are going to be stronger this year? At best, you’re going to be 10-6, but in all probability, an anemic 8-8.
Rick
July 13th, 2012
1:40 pm
First let me do my duty. “Falcant I cant believe yoy called the Falcona a pwrennial failure, how long have the Saints been worthy to talk about? 6 years if I am correct, so please Mr. Brown Paper Bag, lets not go there you proving that you dont know jack less talk avout Nfl history. Sit down, shut up your glory days of wearing paper or plastic on your head are sure to return soon…..CLOWN! As for you “SEEN”regardless are you not tired of me stepping on you on a daily basis. Much like I told you rarlier dude only one team wins the SB, ONE! To all other teams you failed! Simple, who cares if tou win a playoff game or not? That is not the case! Stop settling to be first loser! And no I dont want to talk about your sympathtic Super Bowl win! That is history cha cha! It is about this season and thua season only. I dont care if we win a playoff game or not our goal is SB OR BUST! Takw notes from a franchise who only settles to be CHAMPS and not be in the first loser position. Come on man I am tired of schooling you on a daily basis! No need for a comeback! Sit down pipe down and lets talk when you guys sign Brees until then I am revoking your blogging privileges and sending u to the Picayune to blog!
Rick
July 13th, 2012
1:41 pm
Sorry about the spelling using my phone
SeenThisB4
July 13th, 2012
1:50 pm
@Rick: Well, let’s start talking, bloke, cause Drew just signed. LOL! In fact, he signed before you finished writing your last post. Now, STFU!
Rick
July 13th, 2012
1:54 pm
Really “Falcant”you really want to use rednecks and ghetto dwellers in your talking about fans? Really? Man I wont even go there with you, we talking football. Maybe you need a white paper bag, seems from your language it would fit better. I wont disrespect the hard working people in NO. In the 4th ward and the swamps and the Bayou and the city and should i continue?