Hall Of Fame GM Bill Polian: Julio Jones A “Good” Pickup
July 28th, 2022
Bill Polian speaks on Bucs.
A guy who made his bones building two Super Bowl teams and a third that made the NFC Championship game offered thoughts on the Bucs signing a pair of veteran passing weapons.
Former Bills, Colts and Stinking Panthers shot-caller Bill Polian riffed on the two new weapons Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht signed for Tom Brady.
Polian made his comments last night while co-hosting “Late Hits” with Lance Medow, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Polian likes the signing of Julio Jones but cautioned Bucs fans that Julio is not the same receiver he was with the Dixie Chicks. But he can be productive, Polian noted.
“Julio is a veteran guy who still has some skills,” Polian said. “He doesn’t run as fast as he once did. He can’t jump as high as he once did. … But he’s still got really good hands. He still knows how to set DBs up. He knows how to run routes. He understands coverages.
“So he is a veteran receiver that [the Bucs] can plug right in, in the Brady offensive concept.”
Polian added that for all intents and purposes, he believes Brady is the co-offensive coordinator alongside Byron Leftwich in this first year without former Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians.
The key with Julio, Polian said, is health.
“I think this is a good pickup,” Polian said. “Are you going to get 17 games from him? The odds tell you no.”
Polian seemed to think the signing of Julio is sort of insurance that allows the Bucs to take their time getting Chris Godwin back into playing shape from his knee surgery rehab.
Polian also believes, in part, that Julio can replace a few of foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski’s targets.
“He’s a big receiver who can go over the middle and who can make those plays in this seam,” Polian said. “Tom will find a home for him, that’s for sure.”
New Bucs tight end Kyle Rudolph has a big fan in Polian. But Bucs fans should get not get carried away with that signing.
“He was a very good tight end,” Poliam said of Rudolph. “But he’s not Gronk.”
Polian is one of many who is not ready to close the door on a return of Gronk to the Bucs. Polian said if the Bucs are humming around Weeks 9 or 10, he would not be one bit surprised if Gronk rejoined his old team.
Gronk’s nameplate that hung over his locker “is not out of circulation yet,” Polian said.
July 28th, 2022 at 2:15 am
Youth these first 4 games (as much as possible) get them in it, let them get seasoned….then we start rolling with the mix of our vets.
July 28th, 2022 at 3:10 am
Julio Jones was clocked running at over 20 mph with the Titans. He still has speed. But speed is not all. He can still cut and change direction and also jump in a spectacular fashion. Great reach and good hands. Good route runner. His problem is staying healthy, which may not happen anymore as a number 1 WR with a lot of snaps. But if they don’t overwork him and use him smartly as a number 3 or 4 – he can probably stay injury free and run the distance. And probably be very good at it.
Rudolph, on the other hand, has lost a step or two. But still great hands, smarts, reads defenses well and a credible red zone threat.
July 28th, 2022 at 5:20 am
Red Zone Nightmare alert, Julio Added to Bradys arsenal. Julio as a 4th WR, no he is not the guy Atlanta traded 5 of their teams draft picks to get in 2011. But as a #4 WR on this offense. He is money in the Red Zone. So as a 4 WR, this a no brainer. If he can play, and not miss a ton of games because of Injury, then it can be an excellent signing. We will.
GO BUCS!!!!
July 28th, 2022 at 5:59 am
Julio isnt a CG filler, its Gage. i do hope we get more from him. 6mil is alot if he can only play a few games
July 28th, 2022 at 6:33 am
Nobody can replace Gronk. He stands alone.
July 28th, 2022 at 8:12 am
You keep hyping him and idk if Jones is even going to make the roster. If they decide to keep 7 wideouts, sure maybe, but he doesn’t play ST’s and he’s maybe the 4th best guy on the depth chart. I just don’t see how they make that work. He is at best insurance against a Godwin injury setback and extra motivation for Scooter, Tyler Johnson, and Grayson. Keep gassing him up like its fantasy football though.
July 28th, 2022 at 8:54 am
I’m pretty sure a 33 year old WR won’t have the same foot speed as he did when he was 27 years old, so thank you for blinding insight into the patently obvious, Mr. Polian.
The question in my mind is how much has Julio lost? Julio had two bad hamstrings last season, that alone affected his foot speed. If he’s healthy as he claims, he might be faster than last season. He does bring excellent route running and soft hands. If you look to recent history as a guide, Julio will probably not play in all 17 games this season. However, he’s likely to be healthy during those first four games, which are the games that Godwin will either miss or play a minor role.
July 28th, 2022 at 9:38 am
Passing… you know the 33-year-old Julio isn’t the 27-year-old Julio. I do. Maybe the majority of fans do. But I’d imagine there are quite a few that don’t.
July 28th, 2022 at 9:50 am
Just enjoy it Bucs Fans, having good, relevant teams is so fleeting. This could be the last year of greatness for a while. I will sit back and enjoy this year without too much stress, and then get freaking hyped to beat those stinking Saints and Rams, screw them.
July 28th, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Polian is a fool. He had decent takes when he was in TV but he’s straight buns now. He’s just an old fool using that HOF jacket to stay relevant
July 28th, 2022 at 9:37 pm
And Tom sings “Me and Julio down by the Shoolio-Yard!” Hey, that’s Raymond James Stadium. What a great signing! Positively Randy-Moss-esque! You never know, but if Julio is motivated, look out all you SB pretenders! And, Gronk? You better come back soon Gronk, or the Bucs may not need you dude.