Julio Jones is off to one of the greatest starts by a wide receiver in NFL history, and Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn offered a strong compliment for the Alabama product.
According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Quinn said Jones is a rare, world-class player in multiple ways.
“In my experience just being around him every day, it’s the competitor that sets him apart. I mean it’s the physical skills too, but there’s that and then the added part of the competitor. You know, like this rare world class talent where the other half of it is this rare world class competitor. I think you’re putting both of those two things together, and it makes a pretty unique guy.”
Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has moved Jones around, lining him up as the outside receiver or in the slot, varying routes and simply giving the fifth-year wideout plenty of chances to succeed.
Jones has torched the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys for a combined 34 receptions, 440 yards and four touchdowns. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter pointed out, that pace—while unsustainable—is nothing short of absurd.
No, it won't continue like this but for now, Julio Jones is on pace for an NFL-record 181 catches, a record 2,346 yards and 21 TDs. Not bad.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 30, 2015
Then again, Atlanta’s upcoming schedule is ridiculously favorable. The team’s next six opponents are the Houston Texans, Washington football team, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers, who have surrendered a combined 33 touchdowns.
Although Jones will cool down from this torrid start, it definitely won’t be easy to silence for Atlanta’s upcoming opponents to contain the world-class talent.