Expect Julio Jones (only a ‘5 or 6′ last year?) to take over
Julio Jones (center) may make more impact plays than Roddy White (left). (Curtis Compton/AJC)
FLOWERY BRANCH – Julio Jones is different. He is not different just because of his rare combination of size, strength and speed for a wide receiver, or because he possesses the ability to be one of the premier players in the NFL. We’ve seen guys with talent.
Jones is quiet. He is humble. He doesn’t spend every waking minute tripping over his ego, his tongue or his Tweets.
Do you know how rare that is for an NFL wide receiver? The position breeds divas. Keyshawn Johnson spent a career screaming, “Throw me the damn ball!” but he might as well have been a spokesman for the position.
Jones doesn’t set goals. He doesn’t write numbers down on a piece of paper and put them in the top desk drawer to check after the season. He doesn’t even think, “I want to be the greatest wide receiver in NFL history.”
His career objectives are simpler. More common-man-like.
“When it’s over,” he said, “I just want to look back and think, ‘I left everything on the field.’”
He was sitting in a quiet office following Falcons practice Tuesday. The subject was one he would prefer to avoid: himself. Unfortunately, he is too good and too important to this team to avoid.
NFL teams don’t trade a blur of draft picks, potentially mortgaging the franchise’s future, for just a pretty good player. They take that leap for difference-makers. They take that leap for guys who can change a game, alter the direction of a season and maybe help redefine a team.
We’re probably going to find out this season just how great Julio Jones is. He had a tremendous rookie season: 54 catches, 959 yards, eight touchdowns. Those are impressive numbers, even before considering this backdrop: 1) He was coming off pre-draft foot surgery that affected his offseason conditioning; 2) He was limited in work with the playbook and quarterback Matt Ryan because of the lockout; 3) He played much of the season with a hamstring injury that forced him to miss three full games and parts of others; 4) He was subjected to the play-calling of Mike Mularkey, who never utilized him in screens or designed nearly enough plays to get Jones the ball in open spaces.
Jones hates being in the spotlight, but he will be central to his team's offense this season. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
When asked about his rookie season, Jones said only, “I was all right.”
On a scale of 1 to 10?
“Maybe five or six.”
And how do you feel now?
“I’m a 10. I feel 100 percent. I know the playbook. Matt and I are on the same page. I have high expectations, not only for myself but for the organization.”
If the Falcons finally take that next step this season, it will be because of Jones. If he doesn’t finish with more receptions than Roddy White, there’s an excellent chance he’ll at least make more impact plays, steal more moments, win more games.
No defender can stay with him in practice. When one is close, Jones goes up to make the catch anyway. He burned Asante Samuel on the second play of an 11-on-11 drill Tuesday. He torched poor 5-foot-9 Robert McClain on another play in the end zone, prompting one fan to yell, “You need somebody taller!”
But you won’t hear bragging from Jones.
“I’m not a selfish person,” he said. “Growing up, that’s just how my mom raised me. I don’t take anything for granted. You don’t know the people around you, so you can’t disrespect them or mistreat them. They might be the same people you meet later in life.”
When asked about potentially having a starring role in the offense, Jones talks about his chemistry with Ryan and gaining the confidence of coaches. It’s always about the bigger picture. “I really don’t care about the spotlight,” he said. “That’s why going to a place like Alabama was good for me. When you put your pads on, you wouldn’t know who’s a walk-on and who’s a scholarship player.”
A recruiting story: Jones was one of the nation’s most sought-after players in 2008. Logic suggested the kid from Foley, Ala., was going to pick the school in Tuscaloosa. But it wasn’t until he met coach Nick Saban that he was sure.
“Growing up, I really didn’t watch a lot of college football,” Jones said. “But one of the reasons I liked Alabama was when I went to visit coach Saban, he said, ‘Well you know, we want you here. But we’re going to win with you or without you.’ I was like, that’s me. I just want to win. I don’t like stuff just given to me.”
If only he were the prototype.
By Jeff Schultz
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161 comments Add your comment
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 8th, 2012
12:17 pm
DJ Sniper
August 8th, 2012
11:57 am
Can anybody explain to me why Choke comes here to post every day? What a moron.
_____________________________________________
Because I can…………….HA HA
DJ Sniper
August 8th, 2012
12:18 pm
And who didn’t even make it the playoffs last year? Oh yea, the Eagles.
It’s sad how Choke continues to be hung up on Vick.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 8th, 2012
12:18 pm
ZEROOOOOOOOOOOOOO POINTS
ZEROOOOOOOOOOOOOO PLAYOFF WINS
The Zero man CHOKE…HA HA
Th
August 8th, 2012
12:21 pm
Every team has receivers who get open and catch passes. To be worth 5 draft picks you better make big yards after you catch the ball. JJ averaged 7.69 yards after catch (ESPN stats) while Harry averaged 6.3. Those are pretty good numbers. Roddy had 3.64 and Tony G. had 2.9. That sucks. Quizz had 5.8 and Turner had 8.53. Maybe we should throw Turner the ball more.
As comparison: Darren Sproles averaged 8.02, Mike Wallace had 6.85, Larry Fitzgerald had 6.16, Jordy Nelson had 6.14, Steve Smith had 6 and Calvin Johnson had 5.46.
If JJ keeps his YAC’s that high and catches 100 we will have a really good year. Especially if Roddy stops diving on the ground after every catch.
OPEN YOUR EYES
August 8th, 2012
12:23 pm
@MATT “CHOKE” RYAN- LETS DOUBLE TEAM THESE FAILCAN’T FANS LOL
OPEN YOUR EYES
August 8th, 2012
12:25 pm
IM ABOUT TO GET SEEN ON THS BLOG AND THEN YOU ALL ARE GONNA BE TOAST!!! LIKE MATT MELT WAS IN THE PLAYOFFS!!! HAHAHAHA
OPEN YOUR EYES
August 8th, 2012
12:27 pm
WHAT DO FAILCAN’TS DO???????………………………………………..RISE DOWN!!!!!!
WHAT DO FAILCAN’TS DO???????………………………………………..RISE DOWN!!!!!!
WHAT DO FAILCAN’TS DO???????………………………………………..RISE DOWN!!!!!!
WHAT DO FAILCAN’TS DO???????………………………………………..RISE DOWN!!!!!!
WHAT DO FAILCAN’TS DO???????………………………………………..RISE DOWN!!!!!!
WHAT DO FAILCAN’TS DO???????………………………………………..RISE DOWN!!!!!!
WHAT DO FAILCAN’TS DO???????………………………………………..RISE DOWN!!!!!!
WHAT DO FAILCAN’TS DO???????………………………………………..RISE DOWN!!!!!!
WHAT DO FAILCAN’TS DO???????………………………………………..RISE DOWN!!!!!!
WHAT DO FAILCAN’TS DO???????………………………………………..RISE DOWN!!!!!!
WHAT DO FAILCAN’TS DO???????………………………………………..RISE DOWN!!!!!!
mark
August 8th, 2012
12:37 pm
Andy Reid ZERO Superbowl wins. Mike Vick ZERO Superbowl Wins, ONE FELONY CONVICTION FOR DOG FIGHTING. Andy Reid 14 years no Superbowl Philly fans must be LOSERS!
mark
August 8th, 2012
12:38 pm
Oh wait just checked the record yes it is confirmed ANDY REID HAS ZERO SUPERBOWL WINS
mark
August 8th, 2012
12:39 pm
How is that Philly fans have not called for him to be fired, they must be losers.
mark
August 8th, 2012
12:40 pm
1-0 Federal Goverment vs. Mike Vick
OPEN YOUR EYES
August 8th, 2012
12:55 pm
DEAR MARK,
YOU ARE THE EPITOME OF THE TYPICAL ATLANTA CLASSLESS FAN!!!! YOU CONTINUE TO BASH MICHEAL VICK, YET YOU WERE CHEERING FOR HIM WHEN HE WAS PLAYING WITH THE FALCONS 6 YEARS AGO!!!! I BET IF THE FALCONS TRADED MATT RYAN FOR VICK YOUR ASSS WOULD BE THE FIRST PERSON ON THE BAND-WAGON!!!! YOU ARE AN INGRATE BAFFOON AND I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO KEEP BASHING OTHER TEAMS LIKE THE DIRTY FAILCA’T FAN THAT YOU ARE!!!!!!!
SHELBY
August 8th, 2012
1:02 pm
@matt”choke”ryan: u do realize that the year we traded for Julio we COULDN’T trade players, only draft picks, and id say he was well worth the 23rd pick. to say he sucked last year just shows ur more interested in blogging than actually watching any games…he was out 4 games and still led in TDs for Rookies…ur an idiot…
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 8th, 2012
1:15 pm
SHELBY
August 8th, 2012
1:02 pm
@matt”choke”ryan: u do realize that the year we traded for Julio we COULDN’T trade players, only draft picks, and id say he was well worth the 23rd pick. to say he sucked last year just shows ur more interested in blogging than actually watching any games…he was out 4 games and still led in TDs for Rookies…ur an idiot
________________________________________
Please show me where I said Julio sucked. I’ll wait.
Now I constantly admit CHOKE SUCKS
SHELBY
August 8th, 2012
1:30 pm
ur right..it was Tbone (the comment above u) all the ignorant comments on this page tend to run together, especially when ppl comment 15 times in a row…my appologies, but i stick to my comment that ur an idiot, ur comments have about 10% to do with the article and the other 90% is bashing our QB…shouldnt u be somewhere talking up ur own team instead of putting down ours…
Sid
August 8th, 2012
2:00 pm
Hopefully Roddy can learn a little about shutting his mouth and letting his play speak for itself. Roddy gets baited into some personal fouls and we just don’t need that in a crucial situation.
Michael "CHOKE DOGS" Vick
August 8th, 2012
2:02 pm
Why yall ain’t get me no receebuhs???? I couldn’t reed da playbook but damn das meesed up shawty!
just sayin'
August 8th, 2012
2:08 pm
‘juliet and rodney’…wonder how long it’ll take for one/both of them to start complaining that they’re not getting enough passes thrown their way?…i’d say game 4….melt doesn’t have the arm strength to throw more than 15 passes longer than 15 yrds…gonna be fun to watch….
mark
August 8th, 2012
2:12 pm
Open your eyes what the heck are you talking about, none of the information regarding the dog fighting, lack of preparation and over all lack of character did not come out until after Vick was arrested by the Feds. Vick acknowledge this himself with his new book. I loved watching Vick play but had no idea he was fighting dogs and not studying when he was our quarterback. Can you read? I would not trade Ryan for anyone right now including Breeze, Brady and anyone else. For you and the other folks on this board that do not understand sarcasm I have not the time to explain. I notice that a person who post consistently about Ryan avoided responding to my post why? Is it b/c I am right and have made a substantive argument? Either way it is fun to watch folks like you go crazy over facts, have a nice day.
JSS
August 8th, 2012
2:16 pm
Jeff Kemp, Jr throwing to Jerry Rice is still better than Ryan to Jones… Keep giving them hope Jeff Schultz, it just makes the inevitable that much better… It is not 1986…It is not 1998… It is not 2006…
JSS
August 8th, 2012
2:23 pm
Jeff Schultz, you were covering the Niners when the real thing was there (Solomon, Clark, Cooper, Jones, Rice, and Taylor) were there with Montana… Why in your heart of heart believe this group is capable of such lofty play?
JSS
August 8th, 2012
2:31 pm
How do answer you “white noise?” You don’t, it is just static…
Mr. Hankey
August 8th, 2012
2:55 pm
Looking forward to coming out of the Dome with a S…t eating grin.
lawzoo
August 8th, 2012
3:11 pm
Julio is now a 10? Must have stopped hanging out down by the schoolyard !
Statues R' Us
August 8th, 2012
3:13 pm
Enter any Saints statue comments here.
Falcons 62 - Saints 7
August 8th, 2012
3:14 pm
O.K.
Nativebird
August 8th, 2012
3:26 pm
I luv me some Julio! We Got to get mo Julio. Mularky…tssch….what a joke.
DJ Sniper
August 8th, 2012
3:27 pm
Can we please stop with the notion that Ryan doesn’t have the arm strength to throw the deep ball? As I’ve said plenty of times before, his issue is accuracy, not strength. Once he works his accuracy and if the line can hold up long enough to protect him, then you will see those deep balls get completed more often.
Rick
August 8th, 2012
3:37 pm
41 points in a playoff game
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 8th, 2012
3:37 pm
Man, I feel like a woman!
Rick
August 8th, 2012
3:39 pm
And you still lose……don’t matter if you score 41 or 2 does it “Choke”? Just saying!!!
Really?
August 8th, 2012
3:45 pm
Really all this philly love where are the superbowl rings cause if you ask me what is the differance between the eagles and the falcons 0 rings each. Really? smdh lol!!!!!!!!
PMC
August 8th, 2012
3:49 pm
He was a rookie with no offseason that missed 3 games and still led all rookies in touchdowns.
He’s pretty freaking special.
Really?
August 8th, 2012
3:50 pm
And matt ryan may possibly have a noddle arm but philly having a rocket arm and blazing speed at the qb postion hasn’t got them any superbowl rings either. REALLY? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nativebird
August 8th, 2012
4:14 pm
That so called noodle arm threw for more yards and catches last year than ANY Falcons quarterback in history….more than Chandler, more than George, more than Bart. QUATERBACK is not your problem falcon nation. Get over it and quit trying to cover up the more pressing problems on o-line, defense and o-coordinator. Your lame Brain head coach even gave away a game. hard for a Quarterback to overcome a HC brain-fart.
Why dont you try it
August 8th, 2012
4:42 pm
Hey T-Bone if Julio sucks so bad. Why aren’t you out there showing him how its done? I bet you couldn’t even catch a NFL football. Much less acquire a thousand yards coming of foot surgery and with a pulled hammy after an NFL lockout where he had no time to build chemistry with his quarterback. Julio had about a month to learn everything he needed too before the season started. I mean really, I don’t understand how people like you can come on another teams site and act like you could even catch the ball much less run with it. I mean come on your pathetic. Grow up.
No Pain, No Gain
August 8th, 2012
5:05 pm
That dude is over tweaked……..let’s see if he can stay healthy first before we start throwing around the JRice branding. Just saying…..
Rick
August 8th, 2012
5:25 pm
Its on yesr “no pain no gain” and you have to admit that what he did “while not staying healthy” as you put it, was pretty freaking special! Give props where due! Come on man, look at almost every player in the NFL and they have ALL missed some type of time! ( please note I said almost all, so no research needed to find the exception…..if there is one). Also recognize that this was his 1st year. Please HATERS, stop hating and try to congratulate.
The Ghost of Rowland Lawrence........
August 8th, 2012
5:37 pm
“He was a rookie with no offseason that missed 3 games and still led all rookies in touchdowns.
He’s pretty freaking special.”
Blah Blah Blah…….
AJ Green, and Torrey Smith were both better…
Whadda Ya Know?
August 8th, 2012
5:55 pm
OPEN YOUR EYES…how ironic you tell someone to open their eyes yet you BLINDLY love Vick like is little beoch. CHOKE…you chose the right word for you screen name…all you do is CHOKE on Vicks nutz. Both of you are pathetic little girls that come to a team’s blog that you apparently are no fan of. Did y’all cry when we beat up your boyfriend Vick last year?
while julio may be a
August 8th, 2012
6:34 pm
special talent. he has absolutely nothing on calvin johnson arguably the best player in the nfl both on and off the field. he invented humble and he is bigger than julio, as fast as julio and has a higher vertical leap than julio.
after all calvin did set the bar when he set nfl combine records.
go jackets go calvin.
Rick
August 8th, 2012
7:30 pm
@Ghost of Rowland….. you are wrong! And since they were so good why not go troll those teams blogs and pump them up instead of tearing our receiver down on the home team blog? Just saying!!! You guys rhat get on the home team blog with your rants and raves about someine being bad or horrible are poor excuses for whatever team you cheer for. Its simple you dont like the home team go to your teams blog and do what you want to do and say what you want to say. Kick rocks and stay out of the home team blog room if you only want to bash the home team!
D-Man
August 8th, 2012
9:16 pm
“When it’s over,” he said, “I just want to look back and think, ‘I left everything on the field.’”
I think I almost cried…Go Falcons!
DP
August 9th, 2012
8:31 am
Julio is old school. At Alabama he was one of the hardest workers in the weight room and at practice, barely said a word to the media, was a standout blocker in the running game, played with a broken hand and never complained about not having enough balls thrown to him on a run oriented team. I wish he could teach that knucklehead Roddy White to shut up.
Sugarmommameet(dotcom)
August 9th, 2012
10:37 am
is the best dating site for rich women looking for their boyfriends
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
10:56 am
I guarantee you the Falcons are going to the playoffs!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
10:57 am
Matt Ryan > Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan > Mike Vick, Julio Jones > DeShawn
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
10:58 am
Remind me, did the Iggles make the playoffs last year w/ Vick? Can’t remember
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
11:00 am
I have to vacate my mom’s basement for a few days for fumigation. Anyone have a place I can crash at in the meantime?
Mike "WEED" Vick
August 9th, 2012
11:02 am
Should I use a Dasani or Deer Park bottle to transport my weed?