Heat Check: Keeping up with the Joneses (Julio and Jarvis)
The burgeoning Julio Jones celebrates with quarterback Matt Ryan, who apparently has mad hops. (AP photo)
Atlanta, city of winners! And our weekly Heat Check reflects as much.
FALCONS: Went to Missouri, faced an energized home team, still scored 40 points and won by 16. Heat Index: A mighty impressive opening victory.
GEORGIA: Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but … went to Missouri, faced an energized home team, scored 41 points and won by 21. Heat Index: A mighty impressive road-opening victory.
JULIO JONES: Best receiver on the Falcons roster? Yes. Best receiver in Falcons history? Maybe. Best receiver in the NFL? Maybe soon. Heat Index: That draft-day trade looks better and better, does it not?
JARVIS JONES: Best defender in the SEC? Yes. Best in the country? Probably. Best in Georgia history? With apologies to Bill Stanfill, Jake Scott, Ben Zambiasi, Terry Hoage, Champ Bailey and David Pollack … yes, maybe. Heat Index: Tell me his fourth quarter in Columbia didn’t resemble a latter-day Lawrence Taylor.
BRAVES: Really pitching now, and starting to hit a bit better. (Brian McCann and Dan Uggla did some weekend damage in New York.) Actually gained a game on the Nationals last week. Heat Index: From the attendance figures for last week’s Colorado series here, we can’t say the city is aflame with pennant fever.
KRIS MEDLEN: How long before Fredi Gonzalez tweaks his routine to make sure this guy gets to start the wild-card game? Heat Index: And to think, Medlen was reinstated as a starter only because Tommy Hanson got hurt.
GEORGIA TECH: Lost at Virginia Tech in overtime, beat Presbyterian 59-3. Which tells us the Hokies would probably be favored over the Blue Hose on a neutral field. Heat Index: Two big games (Virginia and Miami) upcoming, and they could well be the season’s pivot point.
VAD LEE: After waiting one full season and the first game of another to make his college debut, the redshirt quarterback threw a 82-yard touchdown pass (sixth-longest in Tech history) and broke a 79-yard quarterback draw (longest non-scoring run in Tech history) — in the span of three minutes. Heat Index: Not saying we’ve got a quarterback controversy here, but Tevin Washington might want to watch the turnovers.
GEORGIA STATE: Has been outscored 84-19 by South Carolina State and Tennessee. Bill Curry says he sees progress, though. Heat Index: On the plus side, the Panther basketball team starts practice Oct. 15.
DREAM: They’re 4-2 since firing coach Marynell Meadors on her birthday, but Friday’s loss at Minnesota was epic. The Dream led the reigning WNBA champs by 25 points but lost in double overtime. It matched the biggest comeback victory — or, put another way, the most egregious flop – in league history. Heat Index: The Olympian Angel McCoughtry, whose behavior led to her getting suspended and Meadors getting fired, has been reinstated, but the woman who leads the WNBA in scoring is playing as a sub.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
125 comments Add your comment
AzCat
September 10th, 2012
11:46 am
Take some time during your day today to say a prayer for Devon Walker and his full and complete recovery.
BravesFan79
September 10th, 2012
11:47 am
I like Julio, but there’s no receiver in the NFL today that i would take over Calvin Johnson!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 10th, 2012
11:48 am
Damn that Denver defense looked brutal last night
Poor CHOKE will have to crank up even more dink & dunks….ha ha
BravesFan79
September 10th, 2012
11:49 am
Choke: Denver has a weak defense, the Falcons will be the ones doing the ripping!
markie mark
September 10th, 2012
11:52 am
OMG, Goldenrod…..proud of 59 points against Presbyterian? Jesus, you ARE desperate for attention….
Beastly Dawg
September 10th, 2012
11:53 am
Go Julio! Go Jarvis! Both are a Jones. Coincidence? Both are great and will do great things for a long time! Btw, Tech sucks! Go Dawgs!
Big Crimson 75
September 10th, 2012
11:56 am
Braves79 — ignore that moron.
Some people root for dog killers. Chalk it up to bad genes.
Calvin Johnson is the most explosive WR in the Game, followed by Andre Johnson & Larry Fitzgerald.
If Julio cracks that top 3 in his 2nd season — job well done.
murfdawg
September 10th, 2012
11:57 am
I think Murray is the weak link for the Dawgs. When we went down 17-9, I thought it was over. I just didn’t have the confidence that Murray could bring us back. In my book he has four challenges for this year to be successful:1) beat Missouri (done) 2) beat South Carolina 3) beat Florida 4) win a bowl game. If he can get his high passes early in the game under control and his turnovers eliminated, the defense will give us a chance to win. But maybe this defense is good enough to overcome Murray and the other teams offense.
Beastly Dawg
September 10th, 2012
11:58 am
Ignore “CHOKE”, he was on here before we played the Chiefs claiming we’d get blown out of Arrowhead stadium and how Matt Ryan would choke on the road. Now that Ryan had arguably the best showing in the NFL of QBs he wants to come on here and bash him and use the excuse that KC had players out. No excuses in the NFL. Everybody is a man, and everyone is getting paid to do their jobs. We’re going to look even better next week vs. Denver. Teams make their biggest improvements week 1 to week 2. Falcons win by 14 next week in the Dome!
BravesFan79
September 10th, 2012
12:02 pm
Dawgfan: “Congratulations to Georgia Tech for their big win over the Blue Hose of Presbyterian. That was an impressive showing. This team looks capable of posting some big moral victories this year and making it to another non-descript December bowl game in the middle of absolutely nowhere that nobody on earth cares about. Jackets fans have to feel good about where they’re at right now.”
Funny, as a GT and UGA fan, to me any game that’s not for the national title fits that description. So UGA has been right there with them in meaningless postseason exhibition games.
Would anyone of cared if the Astros and Braves played in a “bowl/exhibition” game during the playoffs last year? Of course not. Same applies to College football. Who did GT play in the exhibition game last year? Who did UGA play?? Because i dont remember…i only remember games that count.
Tami
September 10th, 2012
12:06 pm
Yes…beautiful weekend for Georgia sports fans! Let’s hope there’s a trend beginning and that it lasts.
BravesFan79
September 10th, 2012
12:06 pm
Anyone else get sick of watching all the crappy Tennessee Titans games on CBS every Sunday? Same goes for when they show Tampa Bays games over a NFC team i wanna see every Sunday like the Lions. The Stafford to Magatron connection is must watch tv!
Just the facts
September 10th, 2012
12:08 pm
Vince,
It is guys like you that I hope Julio leaves that God foresaken city called Atlanta. Julio Jones is ballin and all you can do is to keep givign A. J Green hand strokes. Man get a grip. Dear Julio, when your four years are up, please go to a team that appreciates you and not some snobbish metrosexuals that have a man crush on someone who does not play for their team.
Beastly Dawg
September 10th, 2012
12:12 pm
And if GT fans are bragging about putting 59 points on a religion, then they have bigger problems than I thought. I can assure you they won’t beat Georgia. Oh wait, they haven’t in 10 of the past 11 years. UGA owns them and runs this state and always will.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 10th, 2012
12:12 pm
Julio is only open for dink & dunk. Real defenses don’t fear that gargage.
You will see this Monday. Where was Julio vs the Giants when they were shutout?
Don’t be delusional
jeffrey d
September 10th, 2012
12:13 pm
And to think, Medlen was reinstated as a starter only because Tommy Hanson got hurt.
To be fair, it’s not like it was obvious Medlen would be this good as a starter. His career ERA as a starter coming into this season was over 4. And we started the season with Jurrjens, Hanson, Hudson, Beachy, Minor, Teheran, and Delgado as starting pitching options. That combined with the facts that the bullpen was overworked last year and Medlen was coming off Tommy John, it made sense to have him in the bullpen.
BravesFan79
September 10th, 2012
12:14 pm
As a Braves/ Falcons/ Hawks/ UGA/ GT fan i don’t understand why UGA fans rip GT for their bowl appearances. Because to me, any game that’s not a playoff game or championship game is a meaningless exhibition. What do the winners of “bowl” games get… a free Chic-Fillet tshirt and sandwich? I don’t even remember who UGA or GT played in their meaningless bowls last year, yet i remember the regular season.
Would anyone of cared if the Braves played the Astros in a “bowl” last year while the playoffs were on tv? No way.
jeffrey d
September 10th, 2012
12:15 pm
Where was Julio vs the Giants when they were shutout?
A rookie in his first road playoff game.
BravesFan79
September 10th, 2012
12:16 pm
I didnt think my first posting went thru, blog must be posting slow today. Go Falcons, Go Braves!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 10th, 2012
12:16 pm
Still 0-3 in the playoffs.
What’s up Atlanta?
That CHUMP will be holding a clipboard next season because Artie will bring in a real franchise qb next season
GTBob
September 10th, 2012
12:17 pm
UGA owns them and runs this state and always will.
If UGA runs this state then that explains our poor education numbers.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 10th, 2012
12:19 pm
Damn Flacco makes it look so easy in the playoffs. Out dueling Brady with his 300 plus passing yards, and ole CHOKE still has not passed for 200 in one game.
What a LOSER
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 10th, 2012
12:21 pm
Soooooooooooo………LOSERS……………
Why has it been 9 years since the last Falcants playoff win?
Anyone?
Big Crimson 75
September 10th, 2012
12:21 pm
Bobby — maybe y’all found a QB Saturday!!
After 2 years of looking, it’s about time.
CJ
September 10th, 2012
12:27 pm
That was a heck of a slap in the face you gave Roddy White and Terance Mathis there MB.
Ted M
September 10th, 2012
12:28 pm
If Vad Lee is not better then Tevin right now he won’t amount to much. Tevin is easily the worst passer I have ever seen…He makes Reggie Ball look like a superstar.
Beastly Dawg
September 10th, 2012
12:36 pm
Since Rambo and Ogletree are still out for UGA and will be till the Tennessee game, expect corner/safety Sanders Commings to start at free safety over Connor Norman in place of Rambo. The depth chart on defense for UGA for the next two weeks should look like this:
DE: Abry Jones
NG: John Jenkins
DE: Cornelius Washington
OLB: Jarvis Jones
ILB: Mike Gilliard
ILB: Amarlo Hererra
OLB: Chase Vasser
CB: Branden Smith
FS: Sanders Commings
SS: Shawn Williams
CB: Malcolm Mitchell
WhoCares?
September 10th, 2012
12:38 pm
GT and UGA both should polish their resumes in the next several weeks. The Dawgs look way much stronger than anyone coming up until the SC game, and the Jackets should not be seriously tested by either VA or Miami.
Ryan
September 10th, 2012
12:39 pm
@Mark – “and to think” Medlen wouldn’t be starting if we had followed your advice on a 6 man rotation last month. Usually I like your takes, but the opinion on Medlen was way off and not founded on any sort of good information.
Russo
September 10th, 2012
12:39 pm
Didn’t even know Tech had a game. I guess you really can hear a tree that falls in the woods with nobody around.
7576DAWG
September 10th, 2012
12:40 pm
I am so happy for Jarvis Jones. If he had gone Pro last year he would have been a 2ND or 3RD round pick not because he wasn’t good enough last year to be considered 1ST round but because he was only one year removed from a major neck injury and a lot of Pro teams would have backed off him. He needed one more solid college year to prove to the Pro’s that any potential problems he may still have with hie neck can be managed with conditioning and the proper equipment.
If he can stay healthy Jarvis will end up in the top 10 if not top 5, First round draft choices this year and make millions more than he would have if he had gone out last year.
It is so refreshing to see one of these college kids use some intelligence in planning for their life after college football. I am sure glad we have him.
Spanky
September 10th, 2012
12:42 pm
“If UGA runs this state then that explains our poor education numbers.”
Wow, Bob..didn’t take you long to resort back to an educational debate, huh? I could’ve sworn that this is a sports topic..(scroll up..back down)..yep, I’m right! Click on the “Home” tab up top, and maybe you can find an education topic there! Good luck, you lost little devil!!
polskidawg
September 10th, 2012
12:53 pm
Sorry, Mark – Jarvis isn’t the best D dawg in school history, based on the totality of his work so far. Let’s see what the end result is before crowning him.
That said, he certainly is one of the best in the nation in the early going of 2012.
TossSweep
September 10th, 2012
12:54 pm
NICE TITLE TO YOUR ARTICLE, MARK!
GSU Panthers
September 10th, 2012
1:01 pm
Georgia State will be fine, just like the schools that defiantly started football just 10 years ago and are now reaping the benefits. At least they’re man enough to play Bama and Rocky Top in their houses instead of playing small-timers. Congrats to the Falcons, Jackets, Dream, and Braves too. Love those Atlanta sports teams! F.I.L.A.
dawgfan
September 10th, 2012
1:03 pm
“Funny, as a GT and UGA fan, to me any game that’s not for the national title fits that description. So UGA has been right there with them in meaningless postseason exhibition games.”
Not really. We actually do the unthinkable and win them occassionally. Joke By Coke: 6 bowl losses in a row and counting.
Seattle Falcons Fan
September 10th, 2012
1:03 pm
I’m worried about Grimes.
Dukedawg
September 10th, 2012
1:15 pm
Spanky you crack me up! Lost little devil! LOL!
GTBob
September 10th, 2012
1:22 pm
Bobby — maybe y’all found a QB Saturday!!
After 2 years of looking, it’s about time.
I think most Tech fans have just been waiting for him to take over. Hopefully he gets a lot of playing time this year.
OK
September 10th, 2012
1:22 pm
Choke, you mean a Steelers team who killed in the first half on defense and laid down in the second half? Right. It’s called adjustments. Although the Falcons gave up 17 pts in the first half, the defense gave up only 7 in the second half with .09 seconds to go in the 4th quarter. In the second half the Steelers stop hitting Peyton giving him more time to find those receivers. Not going to happen in Atlanta.
Aqua Velva Man
September 10th, 2012
1:34 pm
Great win for the Dawgs! Too many dropped passes and too many penalties (Argggggghhhhhh!) though. Can’t wait to see the D when the other starters return. Mark, what did you think of Pinknel’s fake punt attempt/decision?
DC
September 10th, 2012
1:40 pm
Mark,
If you’re going to start bringing up GA State..why not talk about Univ of West GA, and Valdosta haha…West GA is probably best program in that field..
Big Crimson 75
September 10th, 2012
1:47 pm
The Steelers D looked old & slow last night.
Plus, the best FS in Pro Football wouldn’t play per the altitude!!
Nice job by the Bama rooks yesterday!!
Dont’A scooped a fumble and returned it for a TD — Hightower never scored a defensive TD at Bama.
Mark Barron laid the biggest hit in week 1 crushing Steve Smith — couldn’t have picked a better player to lay out IMO.
T-Rich — I feel for ya bro. The Browns woulda won that game with Colt McCoy.
Big Crimson 75
September 10th, 2012
1:51 pm
Nice job by the Bama rooks yesterday.
Dont’A had 9 tackles & a fumble recovery/return for a TD.
Mark Barron had the HIT of week 1!! Plus, he couldn’t har picked a better player to hit — Steve Smith!!
T-Rich — I feel for ya bro. Colt McCoy would have won that game for the Browns yesterday.
Big Crimson 75
September 10th, 2012
1:54 pm
As for Jarvis Jones, he’s all that & a bag of chips!!
The guy has the same build as Von Miller.
Jarvis could start & contribute right now with the Falcons!!
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
September 10th, 2012
2:15 pm
Not only is Julio a good player he’s even a better person. He will give it 100% for his team. You don’t find those folks around much these days.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 10th, 2012
2:21 pm
OK
September 10th, 2012
1:22 pm
Choke, you mean a Steelers team who killed in the first half on defense and laid down in the second half? Right. It’s called adjustments.
____________________________________________
How did those adjustments work the past 2 playoff games vs Green Bay & New York?
gbal
September 10th, 2012
2:29 pm
An improvement from Game 1 but UGA still has not shown it has what it will take to handle SC, UT, FLA, and maybe even Vandy. Eslecially on offense. Our OL did what it took for the W but has stil not seen a strong defense. And it’s not that they are not trying…. we just dont have the strength or depth to hold up with the bigger guys. This was a weakness prior to game 1 and we were still choosen as a to 10 team???? It will catch up!
HOPE THERE IS A SUPRISE FOR US W/IN THE NEXT TWO WEEK… AS IN KOLSTON HOUSTON IS RELEASED FOR PLAY. WE NEED A SHOT IN THE ARM ON OUR OL AND THIS IS THE ONLY POSSABILITY OUT THERE IM AFRAID.
Fired-up Falcon Fan in a Fall Football Frenzy (F6)
September 10th, 2012
2:29 pm
Mark – Research question –
When is the last time (or how many times) has the following happened:
Ga. Wins
Ga. Tech Wins
Atlanta Falcons Win
Braves sweep a weekend series (or even two of three).
Has this EVER happened since MLB and NFL came to ATL?
gbal
September 10th, 2012
2:30 pm
MB –
obviously kolton houston has not passed a test, but any chance we can get an update… are we getting closer? It would seem to be a great story to jump on and investigate further. UGA coud use this guy bad.