Rumors, Rumors, Rumors........

[nefansince75]

Totally possible the BB's "interest" in Jones is an attempt to get other teams to overpay for him. Not saying it is what's up but wouldn't surprise me either.

I doubt that for this reason: Every deal has a winner and a loser so the net effect for BB is zero. If there were a direct competitor involved I'd be more likely to think it.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

The drop happened a play or two before the "lucky ass escape, lucky ass throw and lucky ass catch). I see this play by Assante similar to the drop by Welker in the next SB, For all the good to great play, you ruined it by not showing up when you were needed MOST.

Edelman vs the Falcons comes to mind.

 

[BigKen]

CBS Sports 5:00 pm May 23, 2021

Just when things seem to get a bit quiet.

Just when you thought the Julio Jones rumor mill couldn't get much spicier, someone reaches into the pantry and slathers Tabasco all over it. The latest round of "Where Will Julio Land?" now includes the New England Patriots, a team Jones reportedly wants to join Cam Newton in playing for this coming season, per Michael Holley of NBC Sports Boston, as the Atlanta Falcons remain open to a potential split. Even if there wasn't room on the roster for another receiver, Jones isn't simply another receiver, and it would stand to reason the Patriots -- or any team not enjoying a WR war chest equivalent to the Dallas Cowboys -- would find a way to make room for the star receiver.

As it stands, the club is reportedly having internal discussions about Jones, per Mike Giardi of NFL Network, so the interest is seemingly mutual.

The team didn't draft a receiver until the seventh round this year, namely Tre Nixon, and lost Julian Edelman to retirement. The signing of both Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor in free agency help put them in a better position than they were in 2020 but, respectfully speaking, you can roll both of them into one and toss in every other receiver on the Patriots roster and you'd still fall short of having created what makes Jones arguably the best wideout in the entire league. They pulled a similar move when they traded for Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss in 2007, and fell only one game short of delivering the league's first-ever perfect 19-0 season, losing to Eli Manning and the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.

At this point, it's no secret the Falcons are taking offers to potentially trade their future first-ballot Hall of Fame receiver, with newly-installed general manager Terry Fontenot confirming the reports ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft. Although there was no blockbuster deal struck during the three-day event in Cleveland, the train toward a potential divorce continues barreling ahead -- recent reports now stating definitively the Falcons are doing more than simply listening with an open ear. Instead, they're allegedly trying to help facilitate one, with the hopes of shedding his coming cap hit linked to the three-year, $66 million extension signed in 2019 that includes $64 million guaranteed.

The seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro is scheduled to hit the Falcons salary cap for a hefty $23.05 million, precluding any talk of him being a possibility for outright release. The Falcons would suffer a massive dead money hit of $40.55 million if they were to cut Jones, losing $17.5 million against the cap in the process. Should they trade him post-June 1, however, the dead money hit would drop precipitously to just $7.75 million, and they'd garner $15.3 million in savings toward the cap. So expect trade discussions to ramp up soon, be it with or without the Patriots, with June 1 only days away.

As far as space to fit Jones in goes, the Patriots aren't in a bad spot, currently owners of just over $15 million in room to begin absorbing his deal. Of his total $23.05 million cap hit for 2021, only $15.3 million is his guaranteed salary, with the remainder being his prorated signing bonus that's already been paid out in Atlanta, which means the Patriots wouldn't be on the hook for it.

So, in essence, the Patriots can easily take on Jones' salary with very few tweaks -- e.g. restructures, releases.

It's not a move former league MVP Matt Ryan is onboard with, having made it clear the Falcons offense without Jones doesn't have a face, given what he's meant and continues to mean not only for the unit but for Ryan's career up to this point (and potentially beyond).

"I don't know," Ryan said when asked what the Falcons offense might look like in a post-Jones world, via Michael Rothstein of ESPN. "He's probably impacted my career more significantly than any other player."

In the end, it's not his decision, but instead that of owner Arthur Blank and Fontenot. And while the former went out of his way to make sure Jones stayed put in 2019, that was with a different GM in tow, and the current one is now trying to get out from under the deal struck two years ago.

"Our administration has done an excellent job to this point in getting us in position to be able to manage the cap," said Fontenot in April. "Yet, we still have more work to do. So when teams call about any players, then we have to listen and we have to weigh it, and have to determine what's best for the organization. We have to handle everything with class.

"Obviously, that particular player we hold in high regard. He's special -- what he's done and what he continues to do here. But we have to consider any players, if it's right for the team, because we have to do what's best for this organization."

Not many believe shipping Jones out of town would achieve that goal in Atlanta, but it certainly would for the Patriots if they're the ones who pull the trigger. And if it's true Jones is eyeing them, they have that much more motivation to give Newton -- and ultimately, Mac Jones -- a nuclear weapon going forward.

 

[YankeeRebel]

The Cleveland Browns have apparently thrown their hat in the ring for Julio Jones as have the NY Jets. The jets are reportedly prepared to offer a first round 2023 draft pick and a fourth rounder in 2022. Rumors are rumors, but the jets also have a warehouse sized available space on their cap.

It being quietly spoken that the browns have been talking with the Patriots about moving OBJ. You can be sure that if they've called the patriots, they've called the Colts, Broncos and every other team.

I'd like to see Jones here, but I'm not 100% sold on ONJ. He might be too much of a distraction for a team this young.

No interest in OBJ. Honestly he has one or two highlight reel catches but other than that he seems very average to me. We already have very average

 

[YankeeRebel]

CBS Sports 5:00 pm May 23, 2021

Just when things seem to get a bit quiet.

Just when you thought the Julio Jones rumor mill couldn't get much spicier, someone reaches into the pantry and slathers Tabasco all over it. The latest round of "Where Will Julio Land?" now includes the New England Patriots, a team Jones reportedly wants to join Cam Newton in playing for this coming season, per Michael Holley of NBC Sports Boston, as the Atlanta Falcons remain open to a potential split. Even if there wasn't room on the roster for another receiver, Jones isn't simply another receiver, and it would stand to reason the Patriots -- or any team not enjoying a WR war chest equivalent to the Dallas Cowboys -- would find a way to make room for the star receiver.

As it stands, the club is reportedly having internal discussions about Jones, per Mike Giardi of NFL Network, so the interest is seemingly mutual.

The team didn't draft a receiver until the seventh round this year, namely Tre Nixon, and lost Julian Edelman to retirement. The signing of both Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor in free agency help put them in a better position than they were in 2020 but, respectfully speaking, you can roll both of them into one and toss in every other receiver on the Patriots roster and you'd still fall short of having created what makes Jones arguably the best wideout in the entire league. They pulled a similar move when they traded for Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss in 2007, and fell only one game short of delivering the league's first-ever perfect 19-0 season, losing to Eli Manning and the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.

At this point, it's no secret the Falcons are taking offers to potentially trade their future first-ballot Hall of Fame receiver, with newly-installed general manager Terry Fontenot confirming the reports ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft. Although there was no blockbuster deal struck during the three-day event in Cleveland, the train toward a potential divorce continues barreling ahead -- recent reports now stating definitively the Falcons are doing more than simply listening with an open ear. Instead, they're allegedly trying to help facilitate one, with the hopes of shedding his coming cap hit linked to the three-year, $66 million extension signed in 2019 that includes $64 million guaranteed.

The seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro is scheduled to hit the Falcons salary cap for a hefty $23.05 million, precluding any talk of him being a possibility for outright release. The Falcons would suffer a massive dead money hit of $40.55 million if they were to cut Jones, losing $17.5 million against the cap in the process. Should they trade him post-June 1, however, the dead money hit would drop precipitously to just $7.75 million, and they'd garner $15.3 million in savings toward the cap. So expect trade discussions to ramp up soon, be it with or without the Patriots, with June 1 only days away.

As far as space to fit Jones in goes, the Patriots aren't in a bad spot, currently owners of just over $15 million in room to begin absorbing his deal. Of his total $23.05 million cap hit for 2021, only $15.3 million is his guaranteed salary, with the remainder being his prorated signing bonus that's already been paid out in Atlanta, which means the Patriots wouldn't be on the hook for it.

So, in essence, the Patriots can easily take on Jones' salary with very few tweaks -- e.g. restructures, releases.

It's not a move former league MVP Matt Ryan is onboard with, having made it clear the Falcons offense without Jones doesn't have a face, given what he's meant and continues to mean not only for the unit but for Ryan's career up to this point (and potentially beyond).

"I don't know," Ryan said when asked what the Falcons offense might look like in a post-Jones world, via Michael Rothstein of ESPN. "He's probably impacted my career more significantly than any other player."

In the end, it's not his decision, but instead that of owner Arthur Blank and Fontenot. And while the former went out of his way to make sure Jones stayed put in 2019, that was with a different GM in tow, and the current one is now trying to get out from under the deal struck two years ago.

"Our administration has done an excellent job to this point in getting us in position to be able to manage the cap," said Fontenot in April. "Yet, we still have more work to do. So when teams call about any players, then we have to listen and we have to weigh it, and have to determine what's best for the organization. We have to handle everything with class.

"Obviously, that particular player we hold in high regard. He's special -- what he's done and what he continues to do here. But we have to consider any players, if it's right for the team, because we have to do what's best for this organization."

Not many believe shipping Jones out of town would achieve that goal in Atlanta, but it certainly would for the Patriots if they're the ones who pull the trigger. And if it's true Jones is eyeing them, they have that much more motivation to give Newton -- and ultimately, Mac Jones -- a nuclear weapon going forward.

Why would Jones want to play with a QB that is very inaccurate?

 

[nefansince75]

No interest in OBJ. Honestly he has one or two highlight reel catches but other than that he seems very average to me. We already have very average

Talent: Off the charts

Results: Average

 

[redseat]

Agreed but -
Julio would look pretty darn sexy in the Mac Attack!

It all still comes down to our plans on Gilmore. Do we extend him or not?????
(oh, and the specifics of the trade)

Would he bring out the "Mac sauce?"

 

[BigKen]

Now all of a sudden there are multiple reports that Cam spent a great deal of time working on his mechanics this past winter. Supposedly he much more accurate and his arm is much stronger.

I think we're going to have to wait until everyone puts on pads and starts competing for a 53 man roster spot. Until then, everything is smoke and mirrors.

 

[YankeeRebel]

Now all of a sudden there are multiple reports that Cam spent a great deal of time working on his mechanics this past winter. Supposedly he much more accurate and his arm is much stronger.

I think we're going to have to wait until everyone puts on pads and starts competing for a 53 man roster spot. Until then, everything is smoke and mirrors.

I am very much a let's wait and see guy. All the D improvements in the off season mean nothing to me if they can't function as a unit.

 

[nefansince75]

Agreed but -
Julio would look pretty darn sexy in the Mac Attack!

It all still comes down to our plans on Gilmore. Do we extend him or not?????
(oh, and the specifics of the trade)

Would he bring out the "Mac sauce?"

I'm sorry but connecting "sexy" and "Mac Sauce" together just seems so wrong...

 

[nefansince75]

Now all of a sudden there are multiple reports that Cam spent a great deal of time working on his mechanics this past winter. Supposedly he much more accurate and his arm is much stronger.

I think we're going to have to wait until everyone puts on pads and starts competing for a 53 man roster spot. Until then, everything is smoke and mirrors.

Every season is a new season, but as of last year Cam needed to fix more than just his passing... But to back track a bit, it's possible other items appeared worse because teams focused on forcing certain decisions because of weak passing. A better passing ability could open up more options again allowing him to thrive.

 

[redseat]

I'm sorry but connecting "sexy" and "Mac Sauce" together just seems so wrong...

Just saying "Mac sauce" is wrong

 

[Southieinnc]

Every season is a new season, but as of last year Cam needed to fix more than just his passing... But to back track a bit, it's possible other items appeared worse because teams focused on forcing certain decisions because of weak passing. A better passing ability could open up more options again allowing him to thrive.

In baseball, the difference between a player about to be cut and a star, is one at bat in 10......

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Why would Jones want to play with a QB that is very inaccurate?

Because BB is the HC and Mac Jones is in the wings...?

 

[nefansince75]

In baseball, the difference between a player about to be cut and a star, is one at bat in 10......

Change that analogy to pitchers and that same difference delineates a starting pitcher from a reliever. But there typically ain't relief QBs...

Basketball may offer a better analogy. In basketball a subtle change in shooting mechanics can improve shooting percentage from 30% to 35. That seems like a 5% improvement but it's actually 16.67%. That's a big deal. Then magnify that further because a team might allow a 30% shooter to freely shoot, but change the defensive approach to shut down the 35% shooting, which either allows layups or leaves a different player open...

 

[Southieinnc]

Change that analogy to pitchers and that same difference delineates a starting pitcher from a reliever. But there typically ain't relief QBs...

Basketball may offer a better analogy. In basketball a subtle change in shooting mechanics can improve shooting percentage from 30% to 35. That seems like a 5% improvement but it's actually 16.67%. That's a big deal. Then magnify that further because a team might allow a 30% shooter to freely shoot, but change the defensive approach to shut down the 35% shooting, which either allows layups or leaves a different player open...

I think you got the point.....

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Oh, hell yes...

Pull the trigger on this deal.

Who Declines This Patriots-Falcons Trade With Julio Jones, N'Keal Harry?

Julio Jones to the New England Patriots for N'Keal Harry and a conditional Day Two NFL draft pick? How can you say "no" to that?

nesn.com

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Which would be great negotiation if this is true...

Here's Believed Asking Price If Patriots Want To Trade For Julio Jones

The Falcons would trade wide receiver Julio Jones for a second-round pick, per SI's Albert Breer. The Patriots are expected to be interested.

nesn.com

 

[YankeeRebel]

Because BB is the HC and Mac Jones is in the wings...?

So your assessment is that he want's to play for BB and a rookie and not Camella?

 

[Southieinnc]

"While on live television, Sharpe called the 32-year-old receiver, who said about Atlanta, “I”m outta there, man.”

But Jones also said definitively that he’s not joining the Cowboys.

“I ain’t going to Dallas, man,” Jones said. “I never thought about going to Dallas.”

Julio Jones says he's not going to Cowboys in wild 'Undisputed' segment

In a wild television segment, Julio Jones told Shannon Sharpe he's out of Atlanta but not going to Dallas.

sports.yahoo.com