The 2010s served as some of the profitable many years in Atlanta Falcons franchise historical past.

The Falcons went 89-71, tying them with the Denver Broncos for the eighth-best file within the NFL from 2010 to 2019. They made the playoffs 5 instances, successful 4 video games and making the second Tremendous Bowl look in franchise historical past.

Whereas Atlanta hasn’t returned to the playoffs not to mention posted a successful file because the 2017 season, the last decade as an entity supplied a number of memorable moments – lots of which concerned receiver Julio Jones.

Beginning with the historic 21-pick trade-up on draft day, Jones’ profession by no means ceased to amaze. From the best of highs – seven Professional Bowl’s, 5 All-Professional’s and a spot on the 2010s Corridor of Fall group – to the bottom of lows – the Tremendous Bowl collapse, the firing of two head coaches and the notorious interview with Shannon Sharpe the place he unintentionally introduced his curiosity in being traded – Jones took the group on an unimaginable journey.

And now, at age 33, Jones is about to be part of his first Falcons recreation in practically two years – however this time, on the opposing sideline.

Atlanta will journey to Raymond James Stadium for an NFC South matchup in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with the winner taking first place within the division. Jones, who missed 14 video games within the earlier two seasons, has already missed a pair up to now and is questionable to play with a PCL damage.

On the season, Jones has 4 receptions for 76 yards on seven targets throughout two video games. He is removed from the participant he as soon as was, however he’ll at all times be remembered for the dominating performances he put up throughout his time in Atlanta.

Whereas Jones by no means did get a Tremendous Bowl ring, the legacy he created will final for many years.

“He is the most effective Falcon in historical past,” mentioned Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans.

Jones is Atlanta’s all-time main receiver with 848 receptions and 12,896 yards. He is second in touchdowns with 60. His 6-3, 220-pound body paired together with his 4.39 40-yard sprint velocity (timed on a fractured foot) overmatched and intimidated defenders for north of a decade.

By all accounts, Jones is probably going headed to Canton upon retirement. His numbers embody that of a Corridor of Fame participant, and his ability set greater than backs it up.

“He is like a Terrell Owens sort of man,” Evans declared. “He is like a Terrell Owens sort of receiver – tremendous quick, he can catch, run after catch, block, bodily. His mentality is completely different – he is probably the greatest to ever do it.”

For seven years, Evans watched Jones star for the Falcons from the opposing sideline. And star, Jones did. Throughout 16 video games, the previous Alabama star posted 114 catches for 1,841 yards and 11 touchdowns in opposition to Tampa Bay. In a single season in opposition to the Buccaneers alone, he’d rank fifth all-time in receiving yards – together with his 1,871-yard efficiency in 2015 rating two spots above.

However maybe most significantly, past the on-field numbers, Jones did his greatest to forestall unfavorable headlines and keep out of the highlight off the sphere. He was a locker room chief and coached his youthful teammates till the ultimate recreation of his Falcons tenure. The legacy he created on and off the sphere will stay on lengthy after he hangs up the cleats.

“He is an unbelievable man – a humble man,” Evans mentioned. “I am blissful I bought this second to play with [one of] the greats.”

The date was Nov. 3, 2016. Trailing 33-14 on Thursday Night time Soccer, then-Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston focused Evans within the honey gap of the Falcons’ cowl 2 protection. The cross was thrown behind Evans’ 6-5 body, however he reached again with one hand and secured a spectacular seize.

After which Evans was launched to a 21-year-old rookie security named Keanu Neal, Atlanta’s first-round decide earlier that 12 months. Neal closed in a rush and launched with all 211 kilos into Evans’ chest.

The four-time Professional Bowl receiver managed to carry on to the soccer, however Neal loudly introduced his presence as one of many league’s greatest hitters on that play.

Neal earned a Professional Bowl nod of his personal the 12 months after, however a pair of accidents noticed him play simply 4 video games within the subsequent two seasons. He recorded 100 tackles in his fifth season, however Atlanta’s new regime selected to not convey him again.

He signed with the Dallas Cowboys to reunite with former Falcons coach Dan Quinn, the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. Throughout 14 video games, Neal totaled 72 tackles and made 5 begins however departed in free company.

Now 27, Neal has made his method again to the NFC South. He is performed in all 4 video games with Tampa Bay, largely on particular groups, however noticed his position take an enormous spike final week with security Logan Ryan happening with a foot damage. Neal has made 9 tackles on the season.

Like Jones, Neal is not the impression participant he as soon as was. Nonetheless, he is nonetheless standing out in a number of the similar areas he did in Atlanta.

“He is patiently waited his flip,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles mentioned. “He is been robust for us when he will get in there. He is a heck of a hitter however he has a very good information of the sport. He communicates properly with the blokes, and he matches proper in.”

Irrespective of the group or position, Neal at all times has and at all times might be able to hit opponents with authority. He’ll get an opportunity to do precisely that on Sunday in opposition to the group that made his NFL dream come true.

When Jones turned a de-facto receivers coach for the Falcons within the last few video games of 2020, one of many gamers he spent probably the most time with was receiver Russell Gage.

A sixth-round pick of LSU in 2018, Gage went from a particular groups ace to rock strong slot receiver in simply three seasons. Over his last two years in Atlanta, Gage had 138 receptions for 1,556 yards and eight touchdowns on 203 targets.

After No. 1 receiver Calvin Ridley opted out of the season as a result of his psychological well being, Atlanta’s passing assault largely went via Gage and rookie tight finish Kyle Pitts.

This offseason, Gage took his abilities to Tampa Bay and is now poised to face a number of former teammates and coaches on Sunday. He’ll have at the very least one fan on the opposing sideline: Falcons coach Arthur Smith.

“I’ve bought numerous respect (and) I cherished teaching Russell Gage,” Smith mentioned. “He is in a special offense and I will be blissful to see him as a result of I respect what Russ did for us final 12 months.”

What Gage did was emerge as a gradual presence for a group that had little in the best way of consistency, rating twenty ninth in yards per recreation and resulting in quarterback Matt Ryan’s lowest yardage output since 2010.

Regardless of having the identical play caller, Atlanta has a number of new faces on offense, together with quarterback Marcus Mariota. In consequence, Smith is not involved about Gage doubtlessly tipping play calls, citing earlier matchups with quarterback Josh Rosen (Cleveland Browns) and cornerback Teez Tabor (Seattle Seahawks).

“We have modified a lot,” mentioned Smith. “(There are) sure issues chances are you’ll need to change that might be apparent, however making an attempt to foretell each play, some issues chances are you’ll get a inform on and no matter, however to suppose somebody’s going to face on the sideline and name each play is a fantasy world.”

There is a comparable feeling on Tampa Bay’s sideline, in keeping with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.

“We all know (the Falcons) properly as a result of they’re in our division,” claimed Leftwich. “Clearly, Julio was in Tennessee final 12 months, Russ was there final 12 months – it helps, however I believe throughout the division, whenever you play divisional opponents, folks know one another properly sufficient. You get any data you may get however a lot of the instances, groups know one another properly.”

Taking part in twice a 12 months, the Falcons and Buccaneers share few secrets and techniques. On Sunday, the fitting to carry sole possession of first place within the NFC South is up for grabs, and whereas the season will not even be a 3rd of the best way full, gaining management early and sending a message is necessary.

However beneath the larger storyline lays the potential for 3 former Falcons, all of whom have been vital contributors in Atlanta, to play a key position in an necessary matchup in opposition to their former group.

Whereas there could also be no love misplaced between the 2 division rivals, the ups and downs that Jones, Neal and Gage endured throughout their time with the Falcons actually misplaced on them or the group.

It is the second 12 months of a brand new period of Falcons soccer, and with an opportunity to make an enormous assertion on Sunday quick approaching, there are nonetheless a number of ties serving as reminder of the place the group as soon as was, and the extent to which they’re preventing so onerous to get again to.

You’ll be able to comply with Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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