Is Julio Jones joining Tampa Bay really that bad?

          Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Davante Adams, A.J. Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Amari Cooper, Marquise Brown, Christian Kirk, Tyreek Hill, and Marquez Valdez-Scantling are all NFL wide receivers. They are also all a part of the crazy wide-receiver "switcheroo" that occurred last season where wide-receivers were being traded left and right. Great teams that looked like they would go on forever, such as the Titans, Packers, and Chiefs, have all been ripped of some of their greatest threats. 

        The Titans were one of those teams. After losing Jonnu Smith the year before, A.J. Brown headed off to the Eagles. Another player they lost this year would be Quintorris Lopez Jones, known to the football world as Julio Jones. 

        The Buccaneers added to their list of excellent receivers for their excellent quarterback, Tom Brady. Jones signed a one year deal with Tampa Bay, joining the quarterback, funnily enough, who overshadowed his good Super Bowl performance, with a brilliant Super Bowl performance. The Falcons were leading 28 to three in the third quarter...and we all know how that ended.

Photo Credit: NBC Sports

          While some are wailing, and others are hastily signing Jones through fantasy, I must say, let's pause and think. This is Jones' third team, in three years, and for reasons. His injury-ridden season last year restricted him to 10 games. And in those 10 games, he had only 31 receptions for 434 yards, only one of which was a touchdown. He played better in 2020. In 9 games, he snagged 51 receptions for 771 yards, but only 3 touchdowns. He has not played that well in the past two years, and both years he missed 7 games. The quarterbacks are not to blame, as both Ryan Tannehill, and Matt Ryan are accomplished passers who have both led their teams deep into the playoffs. (Matt Ryan led his team to the Super Bowl...but we all know how that ended).

           The simple truth of the matter: Julio Jones is a great wide receiver, but has hit some major speed bumps regarding injuries over the past couple of years. And even in the games he played, he did not play as well as he is "supposed to." And there are some red flags too. Not only is he not the healthiest, but also he's getting old. The wideout is 33 years old, and also, it's no secret that Tom Brady isn't getting any younger. He's turning 45 in August, and is very slow. His ability to throw the ball is unmatched, but he is much slower and older. Players like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray can effortlessly avoid pressure by taking off with their legs. While Tom Brady destroyed the Chief's secondary, in Super Bowl LV, Patrick Mahomes destroyed the Bucs' defensive line. Mahomes was sacked thrice, but would dash out of pressure before throwing amazing, almost fantastical passes. Brady could never do that. How long can a 45 year old last in the pocket when 300 pound defensive linemen come crashing down? How many more injuries can his old frame take? How long before he retires?

Jones' arrival in Tampa Bay, also brings along a lot of questions

                 Photo Credit: NFL.com

             Bottom line: Julio Jones is an exceptional wide receiver. However, his arrival might not be as awesome as expected. After all, look what happened to Antonio Brown. Not saying that Jones will strip his shirt and run out of the game, but Jones is not the greatest player to invest in as of now. Age and health will be something to look for from Jones this season. Although Julio Jones is anticipated to be another threat to an already dangerous Bucs receiving corps, Jones may bring along more pain than championships.