Julio Jones cements himself as early first round NFL Draft pick

by Dan Kadar on Nov 6, 2010 8:55 PM EDT in 2011 NFL Draft

BATON ROUGE LA - NOVEMBER 06: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide avoids a tackle by Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 6 2010 in Baton Rouge Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the Crimson Tide 24-21. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones proved Saturday that he belongs at the top of the first round with Georgia's A.J. Green.

Jones lined up most of the game against LSU junior cornerback Patrick Peterson, widely recognized as the best cornerback in America. Jones excelled.

ESPN's Scouts Inc. has Jones listed as a fringe first-round player, but he proved the exact opposite. On the game, he had a tough 89 yards on 10 receptions with a touchdown.

Many of Jones' catches came on slants that Peterson couldn't figure out how to defend. Jones' most impressive play came in the first half. Quarterback Greg McElroy threw the ball to Jones' outside shoulder.

He threw it a little too far outside and Jones had to use his body control to readjust and stretch back outside to make the catch away from his frame. It's the kind of catch Jones might not have been able to make in the past.

Jones has also shown much better route running this season. Add those things to already very good hands and solid strength and Jones is cementing himself near the top of the first round.

To consider him anything else at this point is foolish.

So what does this game say for Peterson? Not much. Don't forget, when he matched up against Jones in 2009, all seven targets were incompletions.

It is somewhat troubling that Peterson was beaten several times on slants. But those same completions also showed his solid tackling skills. He should still be considered a top five player.

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10 receptions for 90 yards and a TD

That gives me some pause. Are you sure Peterson is who we think he is? One of the struggles with grading both NFL caliber CBs and WRs in college is they rarely match up against someone on the opposite side of the field with the same level of talent they do. So when we do have two players that we know are going to be starters in the NFL, I tend to put a lot of value on how they play against eachother.

I mean, Patrick Peterson is going to be going up against guys at least as talented and more every week in the NFL. To see him give up 10 receptions and 90 yards gives me pause.

by Blue Eyed Devil on Nov 6, 2010 9:20 PM EDT reply actions

That

Is an average of less than 9 yards per catch. Its not like Peterson was getting burnt. He did get pooped on once in the endzone in the 2nd half, but Jones just used his body to shield him out.

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by Bestjagfan on Nov 6, 2010 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure I agree.

Jones looks to be a very special talent, and you actually don’t go up against that every week in the NFL. Obviously NFL players are very talented, but they’re not ALL on that super elite level

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by bondslegend on Nov 6, 2010 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m still confident in Peterson. Again, look at what he did to Jones last year. Total shut out.

Those slants are tough to defend, especially when the dline isn’t getting their hands up. Not all of Jones’ catches came on Peterson, either.

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by Dan Kadar on Nov 6, 2010 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions

ESPN Scout's Inc.

They suck balls. They have SO many of their rankings backwards. He obviously hasn’t done much film study, nor have his two partners in crime.

Sorry…I still reference him all the time, but his ranking of Julio Jones is just one example of how bad his staff is. He does not even rank Justin Houston.

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by Sayre Bedinger on Nov 6, 2010 10:30 PM EDT reply actions

did you used to write on B/R?

your name sounds eerily familiar

Troy Smith is the MVP.............of the 4th Q of the Denver game.
Nitwitter

by Tre9er on Nov 11, 2010 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

I still believe

Peterson will be converted to Safety in NFL. At 225 lbs that is too much weight to consistently swivel/pivot as often as NFL CB’s do every game. Also don’t be surprised if he is drafted in the back half of the first round.
Just my nickels worth of free advice.
.

Be miserable or motivate yourself. What's to be done it's always YOUR choice.
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by MtJulietTNBillsFan on Nov 6, 2010 11:34 PM EDT reply actions

Ok really using weight as a reason for him not being able to play a position is a horrible excuse asexually 225.

You got to realize it has as much to do with weight as it does with how your carry the weight. Realize it is only 15 pounds more than
Nnamdi Asomugha who is 210.

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by TheAngelsColts on Nov 7, 2010 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Also that added weight really has not effected his game this year

Peterson has a big frame, he can carry the weight.

Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!

by BAMFSpecialOps on Nov 7, 2010 6:59 AM EST up reply actions

Asexually?

Don’t think I have ever seen that word used in a football discussion.

   Very few great, or even very good, CBs in the history of the NFL exceed 210 lbs. Peterson may well end up playing CB in the NFL. I didn’t say that he could not play CB. He is talented, and I do understand about body weight distribution (I once taught a nutrition-based class for years). But many college CBs have been converted to Safety, even lighter (Ronnie Lott a few years into his career made the successful change) than Peterson is, and some Safeties are converted to LBs, etc. There is no shame in switching positions.
   I have watched several LSU games this year. Peterson impresses me. He is a gifted football player and a first round draft pick. IMO he has potential only as a good NFL CB, while at Safety he has Pro Bowl potential.
   I guess we will all find out next summer.

Be miserable or motivate yourself. What's to be done it's always YOUR choice.
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by MtJulietTNBillsFan on Nov 7, 2010 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

finally, I found someone to agree with me about Peterson being a future safety

by durst on Nov 7, 2010 7:18 AM EST up reply actions

I was impressed by Jones.

That drop at the end showed his one flaw, turning his head before the ball is secured, but he had a good game against one of the best. I’m not too sure, but wasn’t his touchdown grab against another corner?

Take the leash off of the offense pleeeeeeease.

Signed, Rams fan.

by douchiedude on Nov 6, 2010 11:40 PM EDT reply actions

No

it was Peterson.

Julio Jones for Rams 2011

by kinzav29 on Nov 6, 2010 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, it was on Peterson on a slant.

Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.

by Dan Kadar on Nov 6, 2010 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't get to see the Nebraska game today

how did Prince look? He looked pretty dang good last week.

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by Lissyyyyy on Nov 7, 2010 12:22 AM EDT reply actions

Patrick Peterson will be a Dallas Cowboy

and I cant wait
he is the only consolation I will get out of this crap of a season
and of course my favorite player Dez Bryant
is it April yet?

by Archie Barberio on Nov 7, 2010 3:23 AM EDT reply actions

Not quite April so don't start holding your breath for the draft haha

You think if Peterson is there the Cowboys will go after him?(Admittedly I have not seen too many Cowboy games to see where exactly they are falling apart at)

Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!

by BAMFSpecialOps on Nov 7, 2010 7:01 AM EST up reply actions

The team basically has no 3rd CB

When in nickle, the 3rd CB gets torched over and over again. #1 CB Terrence Newman will be 33 next year and gets injured nearly every single year (including this one). The team entered the season who no #4 CB but has called up a rookie undrafted free agent this week from the practice squad.

CB is a position of need for the Cowboys.

by Blue Eyed Devil on Nov 7, 2010 9:56 AM EST up reply actions

Flip Side

The flip side is that the Cowboys have a very solid draft profile for CBs at about 5’11" 190lbs. The team has drafted according to profiles ever since Parcelles. So it would definately be out-of-profile to select a 6’2" 225lber.

by Blue Eyed Devil on Nov 7, 2010 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

I just didn't know if it was the biggest need

Thanks for the replies(Rorschan44 as well)

Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!

by BAMFSpecialOps on Nov 7, 2010 10:52 AM EST up reply actions

The team has needs everywhere

need is a free safety closely followed by right guard. Both of those positions will be changed this off-season whether by draft or free agency. But guards and free safeties don’t go in the top-5 of any year, much less this one.

There are tons of needs behind those but are all muddled together of similar priority: right tackle, strong safety, center, left guard, inside linebacker, cornerback, defensive end/tackle (depending on what system the new head coach installs).

by Blue Eyed Devil on Nov 7, 2010 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

I really hope they do draft Peterson

it would be a very Jerruah like pick. Go for the “star” while leaving the trenches in shambles..still.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Nov 7, 2010 8:15 AM EST up reply actions

Jones got the best of Peterson yesterday

I don’t think there’s anything more then that. Jones is a solid WR prospect, 1st round caliber..dunno how high, but he’s big, fast and has gigantic hands. Depends on if he’s a bonehead or not.

McElroy made some good throws too, he and Jones showed good timing on those slants (dunno why Peterson was so far off Jones on that TD)

Peterson will still be a top CB taken (yes..a CB). It seemed that when he was beaten on slants he was playing too far off the WR. I have no idea why a 220lbs CB is playing off any WR..but while LSU astounding wins games, they do a lot of dumb stuff

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by Rorschach44 on Nov 7, 2010 8:19 AM EST reply actions