As the losses started to mount and the heat on coach Dan Quinn has been turned up, Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones had enough.
He interrupted the coach and poured out his heart and soul to the team after the 37-10 loss to the Rams on Sunday.
The message of accountability was well received around the locker room and players said they saw more intense practices while getting ready for Seattle, which comes to town for a 1 p.m. Sunday game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Jones’ speech could be the X-factor that helps to stop the five-game losing streak. When Jones speaks, which isn’t very often, the Falcons listen.
He pointed fingers at the players for the team’s unexpected 1-6 start and absolved the coaches.
“It just showed that people who are willing to step up and say that we are not getting it done,” free safety Ricardo Allen said. “It’s not that the coaches are not getting it done. It’s that we are not getting it done. We have to be accountable to that. We have to be accountable for our play and to each other.”
Allen, who’s in his sixth season with the Falcons, could remember only two or three other times that Jones has spoken up.
“He’s doesn’t say very much,” Allen said. “He’s a dude that usually just goes out and tries to lead by his actions. First of all, for him to stop (Quinn), it’s tough. It’s tough on the team.
“Everybody just sat there and watched. He’s a guy that when he speaks, and he doesn’t speak very often, everybody is going to listen. You see him and how much he was hurt, how frustrated and confused he is still, it’s just like, that’s when you know it’s serious. You know that we need it from everybody. We need it from every 1/11th that’s on that field.”
The Falcons were projected to be contenders in the NFC South.
The team may have be become enamored with their press clippings, social-media mentions and high offseason NFL power rankings, because they have not come to play this season.
The Falcons have been outscored 120-50 in the first half.
Maybe Jones’ speech will wake up the team.
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