Dan Quinn is in his first season as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and he’s out to change the culture there. Quinn was the defensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks over the last two years and during his time there, he helped the Seahawks claim their only Super Bowl Championship in franchise history. And whereas Quinn is looking to turn the Falcons into a better football team as they’ve only won 10 games over the last two years, one player that he does not have to worry about in Atlanta is wide receiver Julio Jones.
In 2011, the Falcons traded up 20 spots in the National Football League Draft in order to select Jones as they gave the Cleveland Browns five draft picks over two years which also put added pressure on him to perform. Throughout his time in the NFL, Jones has put up solid numbers, but he had his breakout season last year when he set a Falcons single-season record for receiving yards with 1,593. And by the looks of things, Jones doesn’t appear ready to slow down in 2015.
After the Falcons gave Jones a five-year, $71 million extension this past August, Jones is living up to the contract and then some through the first three games of the National Football League season while giving opposing defenses nightmares. Through three games this season, Jones is leading the NFL in receptions (34), and receiving yards (440). In Week 1, Jones torched the Philadelphia Eagles for 9 receptions for 141 yards and a pair of touchdowns. In the Falcons 24-20 comeback victory over the New York Giants in Week 2, Jones performed big on the big stage with 13 grabs for 135 yards. And this past Sunday, Jones destroyed the Dallas Cowboys defense to the tune of 12 receptions for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns. And what you get when you add up the numbers for Jones’ production is a player that is in prime position to make his third Pro Bowl appearance and help the Falcons get to the postseason for the first time since 2012.
At 6’4″, 220 lbs., Jones is a big and physical wide receiver and it doesn’t hurt that he has quality speed for his size as he can separate from defenders while he also possesses breakaway speed. Through three games this season, the Falcons record is unblemished and they have the look of a team that is poised to make the postseason with Jones having a hand in it.
Jones is really in sync with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan as both are having phenomenal seasons. Jones’ size allows him to be matchup nightmare in the red zone while he has developed great timing and chemistry with Ryan who has been uncanny as far as completing passes to his wide receiver in stride and Jones simply takes care of the rest.
When Jones first joined the Falcons, he had the chance to learn from wide receiver Roddy White and tight end Gonzalez. White still with the Falcons, but injuries are beginning to slow down his production which has given Jones the opportunity to emerge from his shadow. Gonzalez retired in 2013 as one of the most prolific pass catching tight ends that the National Football League has ever seen and although he and Jones played different positions, he still was not a bad mentor for the youngster to learn from as far as catching the football in tight windows and how to condition yourself for the game. The Falcons are benifitting greatly from Jones’ play this year as he is making it look extremely easy while making opposing defensive coordinator put in overtime as far as finding a way to stop him.
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