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The loss of wide receiver Julio Jones was not the only thing that buried the Atlanta Falcons in 2013.

But it was a fairly big nail in the coffin.

Jones fractured his foot in the Falcons' fifth game last year and was forced to have season-ending surgery.

The Falcons finished 2013 with a 4-12 record, losing to the Saints twice and winning only three of their final 11 games after a bye.

Combine Jones' injury with a hobbled Roddy White and a porous offensive line, and the Falcons weren't able to generate much of an offense down the line. They finished No. 14 in overall offense.

The Falcons lost future Hall-of-Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez to retirement in the offseason. With that, they lose a threat down the seam and a guy who could make big plays in the red zone.

However, with two of their best receivers healthy and the addition of return specialist Devin Hester, it's almost a wash. Almost.

"His threat in the red zone, his size, it is problematic just like Jimmy (Graham) creates problems, he is a guy that has done it forever it seems like," said Saints coach Sean Payton. "We sent him his retirement card, and now Julio Jones is someone that obviously will help them and someone that, and ... you have to be aware of where he is at on the field every play."

How much will they miss Gonzalez?


Read more: New Orleans Saints secondary ready to face healthy Julio Jones | NOLA.com

hagan714

been there done that so we know what he can do

Key is up front. pass rush must collapse the pocket.

he will get his yards just minimize the big plays and for the love of God do not let him and Matt get on a roll

|Mitch|

Must stop the run first and foremost! If we can't man-handle the O-Line and they get the run going, play-action will be the end.

Now if we slow the run down or get ahead a little, it's all over but the whining for them... Once we force them to have to throw, Galette and Jordan will pressure Ryan into a Byrd/Vaccaro interception or two...

hagan714

I agree i think the Falcons will be forced early to abandon the run game. There OL still can be had I think. I am more concern about the quick passes to slow down the pass rush exposing our LB.

exile

So do we shadow him with KLew or take the risk of plays with PRob? Maybe we put Cham... Oh, nevermind that.

|Mitch|

Lewis always plays the #1 receiver, I think he tries to take Jones out of the game. Robinson will probably be pressing White with safety help over the top.

And hopefully, the pass rush doesn't leave P-Rob hanging too long with the pressure...

dizzle88

I'm glad we have Byrd and Vaccaro back there, I think P-rob would struggle otherwise

Danno

Probably the best WR trio we'll face all year, probably as good as or better than Detroit (debatable).

|Mitch|

With the emphasis the refs have been throwing flags for pass interference; I wonder if Roddy White will get away with his occasional push off he does down the field

Euphoria

Shaping up to be a shoot out and I think us use PT and Ingram to slow the game down.