Atlanta Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff believes WR Julio Jones draft worth the effort -NFL
The Atlanta Falcons lost out, 24-2, to New York Giants in their playoff wildcard game encounter but team general manager, Thomas Dimitroff, retains faith in his decision to trade several draft picks to the Cleveland Browns in order to bring Wide Receiver,
Julio Jones, to Falcons’ roster.
Jones had a great regular season with the Falcons.
The rookie from Alabama University was drafted by Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2011 National Football League (NFL) draft and repaid the faith and investment the team put in him bringing him to Atlanta.
Jones scored eight receiving touchdowns this season and covered 959 yards as he completed 54 receptions this past season.
Julio Jones also built up a great partnership with quarterback, Matt Ryan, in offence. However, the Falcons failed to progress beyond the wildcard rounds as the offence struggled against a determined New York Giants.
The Falcons scored only two points from a safety in the game as both Ryan and Jones struggled to gain yards and make scoring plays.
Dimitroff speaking to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said that he never had any second thoughts about his decision to trade five draft picks to bring Jones on to the Falcons.
"We said -- when we made the very aggressive move on Julio Jones -- that this was not only a move for the here-and-the-now, This was a move for (the) long-term success of this organization, and I believe 100 percent in what we did being the right move for
this organization at this time in our evolution".
In the long term, Jones may well realise his potential to become one of the best receivers in the NFL.
The wide receiver is just 22 and if his performances in his first NFL season are anything to go by, the Falcons have got a real gem in their offensive department.
"We are very confident that he'll continue to grow with (quarterback) Matt (Ryan) in this offense. He'll continue to be a standout football player and help us produce for years to come".
Atlanta Falcons will also have to reshuffle their coaching staff with both the defensive and offensive coordinators leaving the franchise for other opportunities, and some new ideas may well help Jones develop into a better player in the future.
The Falcons' roster is also set to undergo a shuffle with at least 17 free agents in the squad right now, and Dimitroff also said that some of them will not be back for the 2012 season as the franchise does a thorough evaluation of the failures of the team.
Atlanta has progressed to the postseason rounds three times in the past four years under coach, Mike Smith, but their failure to convert that success into progression for the titles is a big blot on an otherwise great story.
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