Falcons still don’t know how to use Julio Jones in the red zone
This may be the first week of the 2018 season but some things never change. For example, the Falcons still can’t use Julio Jones at the goal line.
The Falcons have pierced the red zone twice against the Eagles in the first quarter. They’ve only managed to earn three points in those two trips. Steve Sarkisian and company still can’t figure out how to get Julio Jones in the end zone.
Predictably, NFL fans on twitter are amused by Atlanta’s ineffectiveness. After all, it seems like Jones should be the idea receiver to catch touchdowns near the goal line. He is big, fast and has a great pair of hands. Matt Ryan should be able to find him with relative ease.
For whatever reason, that never seems to happen for Sarkisian’s offense. Perhaps the Falcons’ offensive coordinator should take to twitter to learn what he’s doing wrong.
The good news is not everyone believes this issue is solely Sarkisian’s fault.
idk multiple OCs have decided against using Julio there including ones we think are pretty good so I'm not sure this is a Sark thing. There's probably something there? https://t.co/8189BNsTU0
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) September 7, 2018
On the other hand, getting Jones on the field during scoring situations seems like a pretty good plan. He might have been a little gassed after burning off energy early, but surely he could have come back in after multiple plays on the sideline.
The Falcons were a terrible Red Zone team last year. They just had 4 straight plays inside the 5 and had Julio Jones ON THE BENCH FOR ALL 4. Sarkisian, what you doing???
— nick wright (@getnickwright) September 7, 2018
Dear Falcons:
— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) September 7, 2018
Ummm... can you please have Julio Jones on the field in all goal-line situations?
Sincerely,
Those Of Us Who Have Julio On Our Fantasy Teams#FalconsvsEagles
You can be certain Terrell Owens never would have stood for this sort of treatment.
Someone tell me why @juliojones_11 is standing on the sidelines?!! U’re @ the goalline & don’t have ur best player on the field?!
— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) September 7, 2018
Fantasy owners who spent a high draft pick on Jones definitely have an issue with the Falcons game plan.
Julio Jones fantasy owners, when the Falcons run 4 straight plays inside the 10 and don’t even target him once #ATLvsPHI pic.twitter.com/K1Jfi5Yl47
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) September 7, 2018
At least fans are still optimistic about the number of yards Jones can rack up this season. Can you go to the Pro Bowl with just one touchdown though?
The situation is equally as baffling for people who don’t play fantasy football. Although those fans seem to be a lot calmer.
For the first time in more than 25 years, I'm watching football without owning a single fantasy football team. It's actually kind of freeing. I wasn't yelling about not throwing to Julio Jones on that goal line series.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 7, 2018
Well.. at least not because of missed fantasy points!
No matter who you’re supporting in this game, it’s a fact that the Falcons have to learn how to use Jones when they get into the red zone. He’s too talented to leave on the sideline in crucial situations.
Next. 5 burning questions for the Falcons in 2018. dark
Whether or not Sarkisian can figure this out quickly might be the determining factor over whether or not he can keep his job. There are certainly a lot of coaches out there who would love the opportunity to throw to Jones in the red zone.