“Explosive” Julio Jones
August 9th, 2022
Like many Bucs fans, Joe still stares at the stars and thanks the football gods that Julio Jones is in a Tampa Bay uniform.
It’s still so hard to fathom.
And after listening to Todd Bowles today, and the pace and energy in his voice when talking about Julio, Joe will do more stargazing tonight.
Julio looks damn good, per Bowles, and “explosive” was among the many adjectives.
“We can use him all over the field,” Bowles said. “He’s not just a red zone guy. He can still run. He’s got moves. He can run by people. He can catch. He can block. He still has the whole gamut when you talk about his game and we can use him anywhere we want to use him. That’s the beauty of it.”
And Chris Godwin is healthy and on track for an early-season return, and Russell Gage has been a training camp star. Mike Evans? The best receiver in Bucs history needs no introduction.
Joe has openly speculated that this is the greatest receiving corps in NFL history. In 4 1/2 weeks they get to prove it.
August 9th, 2022 at 1:33 pm
Excellent to hear! Now the nay-sayers can shush about him being washed up.
GO BUCS!!!
August 9th, 2022 at 1:33 pm
“We can use him all over the field,” to your point in several post’s Joe’s..there is no need to rush CG14 back from his injury. We are loaded at WR.
August 9th, 2022 at 1:36 pm
Hadn’t heard this news…. unreal! Has to prove it on the field but he’s a year younger than AB so….
August 9th, 2022 at 1:41 pm
Give the joey galloway treatment
Let brady get his timing down with him in offseason
Then Treat Him like a finely tuned ferrari that only comes out on race day
August 9th, 2022 at 1:47 pm
Even Julio at “85” percent is still amazing! Unbelievable that some 3rd or 4th corner is going to have to try and cover him every game.
August 9th, 2022 at 1:49 pm
Please use Julio very very sparingly until vey late season .He could be a huge weapon w fresh legs in the playoffs if things work out !! Like 400 yards through week 16 sounds good 👍
August 9th, 2022 at 1:51 pm
D-Rok my friend, I’ll believe it when I see it. Let’s maintain some semblance of skepticism. We’re talking like this is the same Julio Jones from five years ago. He isn’t that player anymore. If he stays healthy, he may help them some. But that’s a big if.
As for Godwin, I still can’t understand why they didn’t start him on pup. He was operated on 217 days ago. And it wasn’t just the ACL but MCL too. I’m sure the knee is structurally sound and all, but the chances of a quad or hamstring injury goes up exponentially, especially in the first 9 months post op. I don’t care what the medicals say, they shouldn’t even entertain playing him until late October, early November.
August 9th, 2022 at 1:51 pm
You have to be a nutcase to think Julio won’t make this team!
August 9th, 2022 at 1:52 pm
Ha ha, try covering him with a teams third best corner. We lost Jensen, big blow, but players are going down all over the league. Jameis coming off an ACL is now day, to day with a foot. The Cowboys lost a top receiver. If our Bucs stay healthy I don’t see to many teams beating us including N.O., and the Rams. Speaking of which Stafford has a sore elbow first week of camp. Sooo hard to repeat Rams just give up now. Can’t wait to kick Jerry’s boys arses, than watch the who dats become the WTF’s after their woodshed moment. LFG!!
August 9th, 2022 at 2:00 pm
Julio Jones needs to stay healthy long enough for Godwin to make it back…and Godwin is working his tail off to return by the first game of the regular season.
After Godwin is healthy? Julio Jones becomes top quality depth. He just better not complain when his reps go down after Godwin returns.
August 9th, 2022 at 2:02 pm
btw, what else is Bowles going to say? This proves nothing.
I’m not anti-Julio Jones (well, it will be really weird seeing on our side of the field), but I don’t over-expect from him either. Just stay healthy and be there when we need him. That’s the best we can hope for.
August 9th, 2022 at 2:20 pm
GOB,
Of course I’m slightly skeptical until Julio proves it in games. We will just have to wait and see (I HATE waiting…LOL) but at least there is reason to have some optimism, based on what Da Coach just revealed. Glass half full/half empty situation, and time will tell. Some of the limited video that has been released so far seems to indicate Julio is not truly washed up yet. Keep stretching them hammies, Julio!!
August 9th, 2022 at 2:23 pm
Signing Julio was a very smart move. Look for his numbers to go way up with Brady. Center position will play out in preseason, but we still need depth on the D-line and everyone knows the answer……
Also, anything on the kicker situation…? Any updates on the kicking competition?
August 9th, 2022 at 2:48 pm
Why haven’t the Bucs released the status of Jensens knee??? It’s been weeks. They should of known what’s wrong a week or more ago.
August 9th, 2022 at 2:49 pm
I was unsure about signing Julio. We have so much talent on our WR core. But this commentary eliminates those concerns. I agree with Joe that this looks like the most explosive and talented set of WRs in NFL history. Stay away from injuries guys and this will be a super fun season.
August 9th, 2022 at 2:50 pm
Some of you guys are born losers. The man can still play, what are you afraid of? Turn him loose man. GOBUCS!
August 9th, 2022 at 2:54 pm
Legit question – was he not healthy the previous few years? He couldn’t even make the Titans roster.
August 9th, 2022 at 2:59 pm
Obviously last year was the greatest group of receivers/TE’s that we ever had. This year does have a chance to be better. That is exciting.
August 9th, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Can he make WR screens into something? Brady may have no time to throw with a new O-line.
August 9th, 2022 at 3:13 pm
LOL, with Julio Jones, Gage and Casey Phillips, Tampa is turning into to the Atlanta Falcons South.
Brady has had some good receivers in the past, but not like what he has right now.
I have been a Football Fan a very long time, and I can not remember a receiver group as talented as what we have right now.
Assuming we can protect Brady, few teams are going to be able to handle our firepower.
August 9th, 2022 at 3:22 pm
Claiming this is the best receiving corps in NFL history, is a bit of a stretch. A better case could be made for last year’s group. They are very talented, but Rudolph is a downgrade from Gronk. Gage is a downgrade from AB. And, Godwin is coming off ACL/MCL.
After the crying colts GM got the rules changed, (because they couldn’t beat the Patriots) it’s a convoluted argument. They may not even be the best corps in the league this year. For my money, the best group of recievers I ever saw was the 88-89 9ers. A close second is the 99-2000 Ram.
August 9th, 2022 at 3:25 pm
04 Colts, and 98 Vikings as honorable mention.
August 9th, 2022 at 3:58 pm
If we don’t have Jerry Rice then it is not the best ever. However, we are the best in the league for at least the last decade or two.
August 9th, 2022 at 4:41 pm
Jack Burton Mercer – Randy Moss was a better WR than Rice. I saw them both play, in their primes, Moss was unstoppable, no matter what you did. Rice could be slowed down vs top defenses. Not dissing Rice at all, he was amazing, but Moss was the best I’ve ever seen.
August 9th, 2022 at 4:43 pm
As long as the 3 new interior Offensive Linemen can keep pressure off Brady, it should be a phenomenal offense.
August 9th, 2022 at 4:46 pm
If Julio is truly 100% healthy and plays like he did a few years ago, and Godwin is healthy and plays like he was last year before his injury, then you could perhaps make that claim. But I’d need to see Julio actually play a few games without getting hurt before I’d jump on that bandwagon.
In fact I think the Bucs WRs from a few years ago would actually be better, with Evans, Godwin, D-Jax and Humphries.
I think D-Jax, when he was here, was still a top flight WR – and while Julio at his peak is a better WR, Julio, even if healthy, is at the very end of his career. Then Humphries and Gage basically cancel each other out.
But I’d love to see Julio be the #1 WR he is, at his peak, he was the best in the game, even better than Evans (again at their peaks), but I find it impossible to believe the Bucs are getting that guy. But if they did, wow, you got an unstoppable core.
August 9th, 2022 at 4:46 pm
The bucs have possibly 3 hall of fame Wr on the Roster. Jones at the end of his prime. Evans in the middle of his prime and Godwin at the beginning of his prime
August 9th, 2022 at 4:47 pm
Lets go easy with this best receiving group ever stuff. This isn’t even Brady’s best receiving team, or even his best with the Bucs. Antonio Brown was much better than this current Julio Jones version and it’s not even close. Add Gronk amd last years Team was far better, although Gage could fill in the gap considerably.
And on the vintage Patriots teams Mike Evans would have been the third best receiver, miles behind Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Later they had a young, freakishly dominating Gronk, Aaron Hernandez, Julian Edelman amd a strong supporting cast.
Yes, this group is outstanding, but it’s not the best in the NFL now and not close to the best ever
August 9th, 2022 at 5:05 pm
George, Jones isn’t at the end of his prime. He’s about midway through his twilight. I’m not trying to pessimistic, just realistic. Sure, the Brady factor is another variable, but hamstrings don’t get better with age, they tighten. If the guy can give you 30 grabs and a half dozen TDs, I’d take it
August 9th, 2022 at 5:10 pm
Yep, they should probably give Julio the “White Tiger” treatment once the season starts. Only get him out of his cage on game day. Save those legs for when we really need them.
August 9th, 2022 at 5:15 pm
At the end of the season it should be obvious whether we had the best receiving corps in history.
August 9th, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Julio hasn’t shown up in Joes practice notes so far. If he can’t get open in training camp I’m very skeptical he can be the sensation people are fantasizing about.
August 9th, 2022 at 5:20 pm
It can be career rejuvenating for an all pro aging receiver who gets a shot with a genuine superbowl contender. He was collecting a paycheck last year. With Brady and a very strong group of fellow receivers, the Bucs are loaded. Who ya gonna cover? Only one at most with double coverage unless you use 5 DBs. Or try to use LBs in pass coverage. Add in a speedy rb with good hands and the Bucs are a defensive coach’s nightmare. Oh ya, do you thing Gronk will get itchy feet when he sees all this firepower?
August 9th, 2022 at 7:29 pm
This will be TB12’s greatest stat season of all time.
5,500 yards, 43 TD, 13 INT
August 9th, 2022 at 8:50 pm
So many negative fans on this site. Where the love and support. So what if he’s not Julio from 5 years ago. You’re not the same from 5 years ago
August 9th, 2022 at 9:18 pm
Brady needs time. If Brady gets poor interior line play (no Jensen, no experience), it could get ugly, even with great receivers. But, I bet Jensen heals quickly, and I bet Gronk comes back, and I bet Julio gets near 20 TDs this season. Yes!! Watch the Bucs roll!
August 9th, 2022 at 10:19 pm
There is nooooo way that “Humphries” is/was better than Gage. No. Way. No. How. PERIOD. Just Watch.
August 9th, 2022 at 11:38 pm
Really hard to say greatest NFL history… 2000 greatest show on turf is probably the current greatest receiving corp ever, they went a strong 4 deep. This team definitely can get that number one spot but their top four and their depth
August 10th, 2022 at 5:35 am
Anybody want to trade Julio to a WR starved team for say a starting center and a future mid to late round pick? I don’t recall him having a no trade clause. His highest trade value is during camp. If he’s the 4th receiver for the Bucs it will be difficult for him to have a huge impact on the offense. With a crowded WR room, I’d strongly consider a trade.
August 10th, 2022 at 7:57 am
Super pleased with Julio staying healthy in camp . Adds a big dimension to our offense .
To me the bigger issue is Ryan Jensen news. I think the Bucs need to get going and sign JC Tretter. All I hear about Hainsey is that he is smart . I hear no one saying he is a tough and mean blocker . We are going to have big problems at left guard and center . Which will make Brady miserable
August 11th, 2022 at 12:38 am
Brady gets the ball away in 2.3 seconds. The average defense “gets to” the quarterback in 2.6 seconds. Unless the Buccaneers present a below average OL, no problem.
And without Bruce Arians constantly pressuring for “the deep ball,” and wasted 1st downs by running the ball every time on 1st down (hate to over-predict, but) there should be drives down the field this year like there’s never been seen before. No more white- knuckle 3rd downs, just movin’ the chains ’till a touchdown.