Julio Jones is that dude.
It’s just that simple. In case you’ve been hiding under a rock to begin this year’s NFL season, you have unequivocally seen just why the Atlanta Falcons did everything but give away their first-born children in order to keep Jones in Atlanta for as long as possible signing him to a five-year $71.25 million contract extension.
In what seemed like a game the Dallas Cowboys were on their way to win, Jones racked up 164 yards on 12 catches with two touchdowns and snapped the Cowboys’ regular season winning streak at six. The numbers speak for themselves. However, the manner in which these numbers were accumulated is what is staggering, and quite fascinating at the same time.
While trailing 28-17, Jones along with the arm of Matt Ryan connected on the first score in the third quarter on a 45-yard catch and run for the first touchdown. After Devonta Freeman scored the go-ahead touchdown earlier in the fourth quarter, Jones put the nail in the coffin with a two-yard score to put the Falcons up 39-28, and their third straight come-from-behind win.
In three games so far this season, Jones has 34 receptions, 440 yards, and four touchdowns. If he keeps this pace up, he will eclipse 2,000 yards and more than likely be the catalyst for getting the Falcons back into the playoffs.
There has been much debate as to who indeed is the best receiver in the game today, and at this point it’s not close. Calvin Johnson is still special in his own right, but the new sheriff is Jones, and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.
Brandon Williams is an Editor and Columnist for Touchdown Alabama. You can follow him on Twitter, @BWilliamsTDAL, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
