bighurt Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Link HereA.j Green vs.. Julio Jones: It’s Never OverPublished on June 21, 2011 by Kevin L. Thomas in FootballThe comparisons between A.J. Green and Julio Jones have been ongoing. I will try to separate them.Post Comment|0 Liked ItA.J. Green and Julio Jones are two players who will forever be linked together in history. But wait, this comparison hasn’t started now. This has been a debate going on ever since high school.Rivals.com had these two players ranked first and second at the wide receiver position, with Julio ranked first. But if that isn’t a close enough comparison for you there’s more. Both of the players were Five Star Recruits (the best you can be). Both players had a Rivals Rating of 6.1. And if those things are not creepy enough for you Green and Jones both locked in with a 4.5 forty yard dash.Ok now lets move forward to college. Here’s where some separation appears. Obviously Jones had more team success with Alabama over Green’s Georgia Bulldogs but statistically you can see some similarities.Read more in Football« Former New Miami Dolphins Quarterback Chad Pennington Set to Become a FOX AnalystAtlanta Falcons “Explosive” Offense »In 2008, both players freshman season, Julio Jones had 924 receiving yards. A.J. Green locked in at 963 receiving yards. A.J. Green averaged 17.2 yards per catch while Jones averaged 15.9 (I round to 16). Greens longest catch was 54 yards, Julio’s was 64. Last but not least Green caught 56 passes while Jones caught 58. Its crazy how close the numbers are.Other notable close stats 2009Julio Jones-43 receptions, longest 73A.J. Green- 53 receptions, longest 652010Julio Jones- 14.5 yards per catch, 54 total points accounted forA.J. Green- 14.9 yards per catch, 54 total points accounted forIts kind of crazy the amount of close stats those two have despite the differences in Alabama and Georgia. But that just shows that these two are fated to be rivals until the end of time.In this years NFL Draft A.J. Green went 4th to the Cincinnati Bengals while Julio Jones went 6th to the ATlanta Falcons. Yes, Julio had to wait a whole pick before being linked again to Green professionally. And who just so happened to be picked in between the fated players. Patrick Peterson the fabulous cornerback from LSU, a cornerback who both receivers faced multiple times (Jones three times, Green twice).Enough with all of the nice talk, lets get to the nitty gritty. WHO IS THE BETTER WIDE RECIEVER? I will attempt to figure that out by picking apart both players games, leaving team play calling and quarterbacks out of the equation.Route Running This is a complex category to judge. Green is the crispest route runner in this years draft. Julio Jones while not on Greens level, isn’t so shabby himself. I feel that Julio’s route running is still in the top tier of the draft. Green is just out of this world; and that is what makes Jones look bad in comparison.Route Running: GreenBody LeverageThis is also a hard one to judge. I just boil it down to who uses their body better to make the catch. This is a close one but I feel as if Julio uses his body better than Green. Jones is sitting at 6’3” 220 lbs. I would say that he resembles LeBron James in a way. Remember when LeBron came out of high school and hit the NBA court he was already in a grown man body. I think that Julio is the same way, and it shows in his play. He boxes defenders away with ease, he is a man among boysGreen sits at 6’4” 211 lbs. He is slender and plays like it. Its not a knock on Green because he still uses his body very well. A..J. uses ever inch of wingspan he has to make the catch. Match that with his unbelievable hands he is a force to be recon withBody Leverage: JonesCatchingJulio Jones has some good hands despite what some may say. People tend to forget that he played a lot of last season with a fractured hand. Yes, he does have some mental lapses and drops some easy balls. But he makes the spectacular catches look easy.A.J. Green on the other hand is lights out in the hands department. He has the best hands out of any wide receiver in the draft, and any receiver of recent memory. Green also has great spectacular catch ability.Catching: GreenBlockingThe thing that is left off of the stat sheet and it often overlooked (unless you are Hines Ward) is Blocking. It has been reported that A.J. Green is a good blocker that doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty. That would be good enough if I were comparing him to any other receiver in the draft. But guess what, it isn’t good enough when he is stacked up against Julio Jones. Jones is probably the best blocking receiver to come out of the draft in recent memory. In fact most annalists talk more about his blocking ability than his receiving ability. Blocking: JonesBreak Tackle AbilityGreen is amazing on the field. He doesn’t look to fight for extra yards but who needs to when your cuts and spins are so sharp and fast. His burst out of his cuts is out of this world, he gets going to his top speed very fast. Jones on the other hand doesn’t have the sharp cuts or spins like Green does. But what he does have is the meanest stiff arm that I have ever seen from a receiver. When he sticks his arm out its over just give up because you are not going to make the tackle.Also Jones has a strength that resembles Anquan Bolden. He carries tacklers for extra yards like it is fun. But I would not prefer any player over the other in this category. it’s a toss up between witch style you like moreBreak Tackle Ability: TieOk, now that the comparison is over I will now make my decision on who is better. As for now I would say that A.J. Green is the more complete receiver. But I also would say that Julio Jones is the better football play. Now lets see if two years from now if the comparisons are still around. See what I did thereI like that Jones is more physical, this will help our YAC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 I do and always have liked Julio's style of play better. I have never been a huge fan of finesse (isn't it obvious) and while there is nothing wrong with Green, I just prefer Jones and his style a little more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanINT+1 Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 I don't see anything special in Green personally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Birds Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 That's the phrase I use in regards to comparing Roddy White to the likes of Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, they may be better "receivers" but Roddy White is the better football player. And I think that's absolutely the case with Julio as well. Good analysis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ransack Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 I don't see anything special in Green personallyNice to see you again Ray Charles.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 (edited) That is the best way to say it and that's how I described it when we got him. Green, like Moss, is a better pure receiver. Jones, similar to T.O., is a better football player. You can't line Green up at TE or RB and expect his talent to show up. Put Jones in the backfield or at TE and you get the same player. Plus, give Green a broken hand and I bet everybody would say his hands were a little suspect too. Edited June 21, 2011 by vel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falken Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 The fact that we won 13 games and still landed either of these players is amazing.TD may have taken a lot of criticism for trading up but this should definitely tell us as fans that Blank is willing to spend is search of a long coveted Super Bowl win for our Falcons.I'm 44 years old and at the beginning of last season I thought we had the best Falcons' team to ever take the field.I think this years' team will be even better.1-2-3....DOMINATE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconmaniac Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 I don't see anything special in Green personallyWOW~! I am glad we have Julio but c'mon man......Green is spectacular!They will both be superstars! It will take Green a little longer because of QB situation but he is very good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Nice to see you again Ray Charles....+1 ransack.....what an ignorant statement by "Ryan2Jones" (aka Ray Charles) - homerism at its worst. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banned Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Sorry to upset some fans but after watching highlights reels of both these players A.J Green has spectacular body leverage. That being said Julio does not win that category. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tandy Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Both guys have bright futures if they convert to the NFL what they brought to the SEC. I have watched almost every game with Green - so I'm more familiar with his work - but since we drafted Julio, I've been doing a lot of reading and watching videos. I think Cincinnati will be thrilled and I think Atlanta will too. So - it's Matty Ice vs. Joe Cool and now Jones vs. Green.Gonna be fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quizztorris Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 I agree that speaking in general terms, Julio and Green are comparable. Julio is perfect for our system however. If we didn't already have a #1 receiver I might feel a little bad that we didn't get green, but considering we can get another 4 or 5 years out of Roddy, I'm much happier with Julio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrislee1982 Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Nice read. Julio will get better in route running and catching.. Julio is truly a football player.. I could see Julio taking 1st WR spot in 3yrs.. Roddy wouldn't mind being 2nd WR in middle 30's I don't think.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHOCTHEFALCONFAN™ Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 JULIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!......JONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconfan2 Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 They should add more categories in their comparison:Who has the highest football IQ?Who is the best team player?Who has the most drive to be the best WR in football?I am happy with our decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD dirtybird21 Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 I don't see anything special in Green personallyDude really??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD dirtybird21 Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 I think Green is a better put together receiver right now, but Jones is a better put together football player and in the end, Jones will end up having a better career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconfan2 Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 My opinion is that all rookies do not have the desire to be great or the best at their position. I base this on their actions not words. How many rookies have been drafted and took the money and lost focus. The desire by most players are to make the NFL and get the huge payday. The great players play for more than money. This is just my opinion. I think we made the right decision based on the history of Julio and the gamer he has proven to be in the SEC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler11 Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 My opinion is that all rookies do not have the desire to be great or the best at their position. I base this on their actions not words. How many rookies have been drafted and took the money and lost focus. The desire by most players are to make the NFL and get the huge payday. The great players play for more than money. This is just my opinion. I think we made the right decision based on the history of Julio and the gamer he has proven to be in the SEC.Very true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdzul Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Break the two players down as much as you like, for me it is all about work ethic.....Jones Blows Green away in this category... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revenge Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Break the two players down as much as you like, for me it is all about work ethic.....Jones Blows Green away in this category...plus Green got suspended.Jones did not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ransack Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Break the two players down as much as you like, for me it is all about work ethic.....Jones Blows Green away in this category...Unless you've been at practice to watch both players then you have no idea what you're talking about and you're talking out of your ***. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 We got who I wanted out of the two and it was a great surprise for me as I thought we had no chance. Got the guy I wanted in particular. I'm done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metcalf21 Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 We got who I wanted out of the two and it was a great surprise for me as I thought we had no chance. Got the guy I wanted in particular. I'm done.Man, I don't usually agree with you... but this time I do?!?!?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolafan33 Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 I don't see anything special in Green personallyI'm assuming you don't see anything special in Jones either? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.