Unintentionally Inseperable

By: Carrington Caul

Because of the 2011 NFL Draft two players’ careers are forever linked to each other and will continuously suffer comparison as they try to become one of the greats and help their teams win championships. One of those players is 1st round Julio Jones the Junior WR from Alabama who the Atlanta Falcons traded up to get with the sixth pick. The second player would be Greg Little the Senior WR from University of North Carolina. When the Falcons traded up for the 6th spot they traded their 1st, 2nd, and 4th round pick of this year and their 1st and 4th pick of next year.

With the 2nd round pick (59th)the Cleveland Browns selected Greg Little with it. A lot of people thought the Browns would have selected Julio Jones seeing as how they needed a WR but they traded it up and got great value with other picks including Greg Little.

Both players are expected to be starters in their first seasons with their teams and more pressure will probably be on Jones because of everything the Falcons gave up to get him. Both had great collegiate careers which we will take a look at in a minute. Jones was more of a deep threat who needs to work on his route running and making the catch on the first try instead of bobbling the ball. Jones is more of a speed receiver than Possession but he can still make the catch, running a 4.39 at the combine with a fractured foot that he didn’t know he had Jones began jumping up the draft boards.

Little had a tougher road getting to where he got to but the hard work didn’t go unnoticed , Little started his freshman and sophomore year behind New York Giants starting and star receiver Hakeem Nicks also while playing WR, RB, and defense. His junior year he turned more into a receiver only while still seeing 29 carries rushing the ball. Little lost his senior season due to the NCAA investigation where he lied about receiving Jewelry and other rewards.

Julio Jones came out of high school as the top ranked WR and the number two overall players in high school rankings. His freshman season he started as a true freshman and hauled in 58 receptions for 924 yards and 4 touchdowns while averaging 15.9 yards per reception which helped him receive SEC Freshman of The Year, SEC All-Freshman Team, and Second Team All-SEC.His second season Jones along with RB Mark Ingram helped Alabama win the NCAA National Championship finishing his sophomore campaign with 43 receptions, 596 yards, 4 touchdowns averaging 13.9 per reception and carrying the ball twice for 4 yards with a 2.0 avg.

His junior season he had his best statistical season finishing with 78 receptions with 1,133 yards and 7 touchdowns with an 14.5 average also carrying the ball 8 times for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns averaging 16.9 yards on the ground. Jones skipped his senior season and entered the 2011 NFL draft where he was selected 6th by Atlanta Falcons finishing his collegiate career with 179 receptions 2,653 yards and 15 touchdowns with 10 carries 139 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Little freshman year he played wide receiver, running back, and special teams finishing the season with 59 carries, 300 yards, 2 touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards on the ground also hauling in 13 receptions 99 yards and 1 touchdown averaging 7.6 per receptions. His sophomore season Little was still playing multiple positions and finished it with 78 carries with 339 yards and 3 touchdowns while averaging 4.3 on the group also catching 11 receptions for 146 yards with a 13.3 average per reception. After the 2008 season Little teammate and fellow WR Hakeem Nicks was drafted in the first round and left Little as the starting WR for UNC.

His junior season as the full 1st string starter Little still played RB but limited and saw most of his action as a full pledged WR and completed the season with 29 carries for 166 yards for 1 touchdown averaging 5.7 yards per carry also ranking 5th in school records for most receptions in single season with 62 receptions for 724 yards and 5 touchdowns averaging 11.7 per reception. Little had big plans for his senior season with the Tar Heels who were ranked 15th in pre season but being found ineligible for his senior season by the NCAA Little’s career finished after his Junior year and he compiled a total of 166 carries for 805 yards and 6 touchdowns and 86 receptions for 969 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Little and Jones have a lot of similarities which will only fuel the comparisons and ties they will have during the professional careers. Little is a great run blocker and an ok route runner but will have to adjust to the speed on the NFL level and conditioning after being off the football for over a year.

The Browns and Falcons won’t see each other on the field this season but the head to head matchup will still be there.