DC: Broaddus: Comparing The Tape On Dez Bryant And Atlanta’s Julio Jones

[perrykemp]

I attribute some of Jone's eye popping stats to (A) the Falcons not having a running game (B) Playing from behind.

An example of this from this past season is where the Packers jumped out to a 31-7 lead by the end of the 2nd quarter. Game was basically over at half time. Packers turtled up and played prevent. The Falcons threw all caution to the wind and throw it all around the yard and score 36 points in the 2nd half (they still lost 43-37). Julio Jones still ended up with 11 receptions for 259 yards -- most of it in the 2nd half.

While this is an extreme example of a Falcons game last season, it is somewhat representative of 'why' Jones production was so sky high. He was the top offensive talent on a poor team that couldn't run the ball. He is a very talented player, however, I personally feel his 'impact' isn't anywhere in the same neighborhood of Dez's.

 

[DallasEast]

IRVING, Texas – Like many of you, I found it interesting that, when the NFL Network ran last week’s segment of its Top 100 players, Julio Jones was voted ahead of Dez Bryant. The Falcons’ star made the list at No. 13, while Bryant came in just behind at No. 15.

I have to admit that I had not studied much Atlanta tape from last season, so my views of Jones were only from those highlight shows that run after the games each Sunday night. With that in mind, I decided to grade some tape and judge the rankings for myself.

I'll say this much about Broaddus. He studied and put more consideration into how both players were ranked than some of the actual voters--with "some" perhaps being an understatement. What Bryant does on the field is what ultimately counts most. He is as complete a receiver as any owner, coach, quarterback and fan could ever want. We're damn lucky to have him. I hope deep down Bryant feels the same in return.

 

[dallasdave]

Plus he has had 2 potential game winners - Giants 1 finger over back of end zone, and Packers non catch - taken away from him

Yeah, DEZ makes the tough catches.

 

[dallasdave]

I'll say this much about Broaddus. He studied and put more consideration into how both players were ranked than some of the actual voters--with "some" perhaps being an understatement. What Bryant does on the field is what ultimately counts most. He is as complete a receiver as any owner, coach, quarterback and fan could ever want. We're damn lucky to have him. I hope deep down Bryant feels the same in return.

Well said my friend. DEZ and the Cowboys are a match made in heaven.

 

[guag]

In terms of pure skill he's STILL top 110 in most categories.

I love typos sometimes.

 

[dallasdave]

I love typos sometimes.

 

[erod]

My only problem with Dez is that he blocked me on Twitter, and I have no idea why. I've never tweeted the man, nor said anything disparaging about him on Twitter.

 

[DallasEast]

My only problem with Dez is that he blocked me on Twitter, and I have no idea why. I've never tweeted the man, nor said anything disparaging about him on Twitter.

Perhaps he reads sites like this where you participate and took exception to something you may not consider he should have.

 

[erod]

Perhaps he reads sites like this where you participate and took exception to something you may not consider he should have.

Nah, that was a long time ago.

I suspect I might have been caught in one of those never-ending tweet wars where his and my handles were tied in, and he just blocked everybody to get it off his feed.

 

[Doomsday]

They are both studs, when you start comparing guys like this, you are nit picking little things. Every GM would take either in a second.

The one edge I give Dez is he has been able to stay on the field and play all 16 games, Julio has missed 12 of the last 32 games.

 

[xwalker]

Dez. All day, every day. His hands and ability to play the ball in the air along with his physical nature are just such a killer combo for defensive backs.

I don't think Jones is as close to Bryant as Broaddus thinks, but they are both really good players.

Dez is the heart and soul of the offense though.

If Atlanta has a media-scout equivalent to Broaddus, I'm certain that Julio won that review. Also, if there is a thread like this on a Falcon's board, Julio is likely the "best" according to all posts.

I would be curious to know the opinion of D-Coordinators or defensive players that have faced both players.

 

[Supercowboy1986]

Just to play devils advocate... Would you all feel the same way if Julio Jones was a cowboy and Dez Bryant was a falcon?



I have been a fan of Julio Jones and always found the Julio dance to be awesome and hilarious.



I believe they are both in the same ball park as someone already mentioned in terms of ability/production, with slight differences. I'll be honest it's hard to pick who I would have on my team while remaining neutral. They are both great players.

 

[Enlightened32]

If Atlanta has a media-scout equivalent to Broaddus, I'm certain that Julio won that review. Also, if there is a thread like this on a Falcon's board, Julio is likely the "best" according to all posts.

I would be curious to know the opinion of D-Coordinators or defensive players that have faced both players.

As a DC I'd much rather give up 259 yards to a receiver rather than 2 or 3 TDs.

 

[xwalker]

As a DC I'd much rather give up 259 yards to a receiver rather than 2 or 3 TDs.

Some of that depends on how they use them within the offensive scheme.

Witten's percentage of TDs to catches is 7.8%. Escobar's is 44%. I still prefer Witten as the starter.

 

[erod]

Just to play devils advocate... Would you all feel the same way if Julio Jones was a cowboy and Dez Bryant was a falcon?



I have been a fan of Julio Jones and always found the Julio dance to be awesome and hilarious.



I believe they are both in the same ball park as someone already mentioned in terms of ability/production, with slight differences. I'll be honest it's hard to pick who I would have on my team while remaining neutral. They are both great players.

Julio isn't always in full gear. Some games he's unstoppable. Some games he disappears.

Even when Dez has a quiet game of production, he's still a factor.

 

[Enlightened32]

Some of that depends on how they use them within the offensive scheme.

Witten's percentage of TDs to catches is 7.8%. Escobar's is 44%. I still prefer Witten as the starter.

1) These are TEs not #1 WRs.

2) Witten is improperly utilized in the Redone.

 

[DallasDomination]

The biggest difference is Dez has Romo throwing him the ball and Jones has choke Ryan throwing to him.

 

[jobberone]

I'll say this much about Broaddus. He studied and put more consideration into how both players were ranked than some of the actual voters--with "some" perhaps being an understatement. What Bryant does on the field is what ultimately counts most. He is as complete a receiver as any owner, coach, quarterback and fan could ever want. We're damn lucky to have him. I hope deep down Bryant feels the same in return.

He's a more athletic Michael Irvin. If he could learn from Irvin to go with his leaping ability etc then he'd be one of the best WRs to ever play the game.

 

[DallasEast]

Just to play devils advocate... Would you all feel the same way if Julio Jones was a cowboy and Dez Bryant was a falcon?

I would think that some observers could honestly say yes to that question. There was comparison talk concerning Michael Irvin and Jerry Rice during their era. I would have never considered trading Irvin for Rice back then and would still not do so retroactively. That opinion does not change my other opinion that Rice was the better of the two receivers. In similar fashion, I can see myself saying Bryant as the better player over Jones even if their roster positions were reversed.

 

[xwalker]

1) These are TEs not #1 WRs.

2) Witten is improperly utilized in the Redone.

It is an example where the stats don't show the true story.

I don't know if Julio is improperly used or if he lacks some ability in that area.

I know back in Irvin's day, TDs didn't tell the story. He made countless big plays that were just short of the endzone and then Emmitt came in and ran a yard or two for the TD.