Atlanta Falcons Wide Receiver Named Offensive Rookie of the Month

By: Jimmy Beck

January 5, 2012

The Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Julio Jones out of the University of Alabama was named NFL offensive rookie of the month for December and January voting.  Julio had a slow start to his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons.  His slow start begged many to question why Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff traded up in this past year’s draft for Julio.  Julio put laid all questions to rest in his return from his hamstring injury when he turned it up a notch by hauling in 24 passes for a total of 461 yards and 5 touchdowns.  All of this came down the stretch when it mattered for the Falcons in the final five games this season.  Although, Julio battled injuries early on and missed three full games and most of two other games he still managed to have the best season for an Atlanta Falcon rookie receiver.  In fact, Julio Jones had more yards and touchdowns than any other Falcons rookie before him and only Shawn Collins caught more passes in his first season in 1989.

The Falcons need Julio to keep up his good work on Sunday January 8, 2012 when Atlanta heads north to take on Eli Manning and the Giants in the playoffs.