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

[THEHEREAFTER]

I love typos sometimes.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

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.

That one game is what propelled him ahead of Dez on the NFL Network list.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

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.

Interestingly I think some on an ATL board may say Dez. As I visit other message boards throughout the season, Dez is the one player, while not well liked, gets universal respect.

 

[Enlightened32]

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.

Julio has 4.29 speed. This is how he racks up yards.

Yet, when compared to Dez, his TDs fall far short.

This is why I say scoring is more important.

 

[Enlightened32]

Interestingly I think some on an ATL board may say Dez. As I visit other message boards throughout the season, Dez is the one player, while not well liked, gets universal respect.

On Atlanta's official site there isnt a single poster that will admit Dez is better.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

On Atlanta's official site there isnt a single poster that will admit Dez is better.

I get the favoritism but there are usually of handful of "realist" or even super objective posters to balance out the homers on every board. I've never visited their board... just a thought. Like I would guess Romo would get a small number of votes comparing Ryan.

 

[Enlightened32]

I get the favoritism but there are usually of handful of "realist" or even super objective posters to balance out the homers on every board. I've never visited their board... just a thought. Like I would guess Romo would get a small number of votes comparing Ryan.

Ive been on the Falcons official forum since 2009, I say from experience, ain't happening.

 

[DFWJC]

But they lost Harry Douglas who was one of the better WR3s in the NFL. It's a wash for Atlanta.

I think Hardy will be >>>Douglas. Then again, it may take a year.
jmo

 

[sideon]

Dez is like a boulder with cleats, he's just built stronger than a lot of these receivers.

 

[tyke1doe]

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.

One defensive back already did. DeAngelo Hall said he would take Dez if he had one receiver he had to start a team with. He said Dez just plays the game more physically than other receivers, and he gives it all both catching passes and blocking.

For a divisional opponent to say that about you is high praise. Even the Packers defender (can't remember his name, Shields?) who was guarding Dez on the no-catch call said Dez caught the ball. I don't want to get in a debate about the call, but when opponents who have nothing to gain say good things about you and your skills, that speaks volumes.

 

[tyke1doe]

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. I said DeMaryious Thomas was better than Dez the first two years (I think it was the second year too) when they both were in the league. Thomas was more stable and a better route runner in their early careers. Dez couldn't be trusted to be where he was supposed to be, which is why Tony Romo often didn't throw him the ball.

But Dez has rounded out to be a complete receiver and now is the better receiver.

Just because we're Cowboys fans doesn't mean some of us can't evaluate objectively. Not all of us wear Cowboys-colored sunglasses when it's raining outside.

 

[tyke1doe]

Dez is like a boulder with cleats, he's just built stronger than a lot of these receivers.

Dez has that "want to." When a receiver or any player has that "want to" that's hard to dismiss. I'm telling you (and other players can to) some guys don't want the ball in crutch time. Basketball players are like this too. Some guys don't want to take the last shot. They're too scared. Some football players don't want to touch the ball when there are seconds left, and you need a score.
Michael Irvin said as much. And then you have those players who say, "Give it to me. I'll score!"

Dez is one of those players. When you have the confidence to match your skills and talent? Watch out. Dez is going to make more game-winning touchdowns before his career is done.

 

[xwalker]

One defensive back already did. DeAngelo Hall said he would take Dez if he had one receiver he had to start a team with. He said Dez just plays the game more physically than other receivers, and he gives it all both catching passes and blocking.

For a divisional opponent to say that about you is high praise. Even the Packers defender (can't remember his name, Shields?) who was guarding Dez on the no-catch call said Dez caught the ball. I don't want to get in a debate about the call, but when opponents who have nothing to gain say good things about you and your skills, that speaks volumes.

Hall didn't play Atlanta in 2014. The NFC East will plays against Atlanta this season. It will be interesting to see the results of the same defenses against both WRs.

 

[knightrider94]

JJ went six straight games last year without scoring a TD.

He is talented, but he is not Dez.

 

[sideon]

JJ went six straight games last year without scoring a TD.

He is talented, but he is not Dez.

JJ is extremely talented but he's also very brittle.

 

[tyke1doe]

Hall didn't play Atlanta in 2014. The NFC East will plays against Atlanta this season. It will be interesting to see the results of the same defenses against both WRs.

But the Commanders played the Falcons in 2012. So Hall would have been able to assess Jones' abilities and make a comparison.

The Commanders also played the Falcons in 2013, but Julio was injured.

 

[Enlightened32]

Hall didn't play Atlanta in 2014. The NFC East will plays against Atlanta this season. It will be interesting to see the results of the same defenses against both WRs.

I think its fair to say, as of now, we dont have a CB equal to Trufant.

Who do you put on Julio, Scandrick or Jones? I dont see anyone else being able to handle him.

 

[xwalker]

Julio has 4.29 speed. This is how he racks up yards.

Yet, when compared to Dez, his TDs fall far short.

This is why I say scoring is more important.

As I pointed out with Irvin, the stat TDs by itself if misleading. The best stat for Irvin would have been how often he was the reason they were in the redzone in the 1st place. If it was basketball, Irvin's "assists" would like have been through the roof if he was credited with an assist for all the times he set Emmitt up for the score.

If you step back and look at it, you would see that it sounds like a Cowboys fan when you say that the reason Witten's TDs are low is because he is misused but on the other hand the number of TDs scored is super important when the WR on your team scores more of them that the WR he is being compared against. If Witten is misused then maybe Julio Jones is misused.

I'm certain that Atlanta fans think yards are more important than TDs for a WR.

The bottom line is it would require a lot of film study to really have a relevant opinion on the subject. I have not studied Julio Jones in depth so I can't say how he rates relative to Dez. I doubt if many fans in the debate on either side (Cowboys or Falcons) have really spent a lot of time studying the other teams WR. Broaddus did review a few games and gave Dez the nod, although it didn't appear that he thought there was a big difference overall one way or the other. Basically they have different strengths and weaknesses and there is not exact formula on how to translate those strengths/weaknesses to an absolute of who is the best.

My guess is that they end up getting paid about the same.

 

[Enlightened32]

As I pointed out with Irvin, the stat TDs by itself if misleading. The best stat for Irvin would have been how often he was the reason they were in the redzone in the 1st place. If it was basketball, Irvin's "assists" would like have been through the roof if he was credited with an assist for all the times he set Emmitt up for the score.

If you step back and look at it, you would see that it sounds like a Cowboys fan when you say that the reason Witten's TDs are low is because he is misused but on the other hand the number of TDs scored is super important when the WR on your team scores more of them that the WR he is being compared against. If Witten is misused then maybe Julio Jones is misused.

I'm certain that Atlanta fans think yards are more important than TDs for a WR.

The bottom line is it would require a lot of film study to really have a relevant opinion on the subject. I have not studied Julio Jones in depth so I can't say how he rates relative to Dez. I doubt if many fans in the debate on either side (Cowboys or Falcons) have really spent a lot of time studying the other teams WR. Broaddus did review a few games and gave Dez the nod, although it didn't appear that he thought there was a big difference overall one way or the other. Basically they have different strengths and weaknesses and there is not exact formula on how to translate those strengths/weaknesses to an absolute of who is the best.

My guess is that they end up getting paid about the same.

163 targets and only 6 TDs....get all the yards you want (Dez got over 1300 yards on 27 less targets) but how do you only have 6 TDs in 163 targets when Dez had 16 on 136 targets?

 

[xwalker]

But the Commanders played the Falcons in 2012. So Hall would have been able to assess Jones' abilities and make a comparison.

The Commanders also played the Falcons in 2013, but Julio was injured.

Neither are likely to be the same player now as they were in 2012.

I'm not saying that Dez is not better. I'm just saying I don't think we really know.

Cowboys fans will think Dez is better.
Falcons fans will think Jones is better.

Broaddus gave a slight nod to Dez, but indicated Jones is better in some areas while Dez is better in others. The importance of those "areas" is likely relative to which team's fan you're asking.

Neither one of them is Megatron at his peak, IMO. Megatron had the speed and those things where Julio is better but he also had the size/strength and ability to play the ball in the air like Dez.