As of right now, the Atlanta Falcons team consists of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. At least that is what it feels like when someone glances at the growing injury list for the team. With players like Kroy Biermann and Sean Weatherspoon out for almost the remainder of the year and Steven Jackson out until possibly Week 7, things are looking shaky for Atlanta. Until improvement starts to happen, Jones will be the top target of opposing defenses.
Atlanta was predicted to have the best receiving corps in the NFL. With Jackson as their running back, the entire offensive unit looked nearly impossible to slow down on paper. However, with Jackson out, Roddy White limited with an ankle sprain and Tony Gonzalez still working to get back into the football groove, Jones is the team's best producer.
So far this year, the wide receiver has proven why he is one of the best. So far in 2013, Jones has 27 catches for 373 yards. Last Sunday, he put up the biggest highlight with an 81-yard touchdown pass. Despite being a constant presence on the injury list with a bothersome hamstring, offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter recognizes the receiver as one of the biggest threats on the field.
"Julio is an exceptional talent," Koetter said, via the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "He really is. When him and Matt (Ryan) are clicking and we give him adequate time, Julio is tough to stop. I'm sure that he's going continue to see defenses try to take him away but that's not an easy task. He's one of those elite players who can still get open."
Right now, defenses are aware that Jones is the top target for Ryan. With White slowed down after suffering an ankle injury in the preseason, Jones is the most trustworthy receiver on the field. As the team faces New England for a Sunday night matchup, head coach Bill Belichick is making Jones the top priority.
"Julio has been very impressive," Belichick said. "As you know, he does everything well. In the running game, he's an excellent blocker. In the passing game, he goes down the field and takes the ball away from defenders. He's a strong run-after-catch player with all of the tear screens and the short passes that they throw him. He can turn them into long gains just as easily as he can turn a go pattern into a long gain."
As far as other Falcons receivers go, Jones is getting a majority of the work. White has just seven catches for 56 yards this year. Gonzalez has 11 catches for 93 yards. Harry Douglas, the reliable No. 3, has nine catches for 145 yards. Belichick said the defense will constantly change their coverage scheme in order to keep up with the talented Jones.
