The Falcons are done for the season, and tight end Tony Gonzalez’s NFL career most likely is over.
Julio Jones is just getting started, though. He’s a bright spot for the future in the wake of the Falcons’ 28-24 loss to San Francisco on Sunday in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome.
Jones had 11 catches for 182 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers. He broke the franchise record for playoff receiving yards in a game, set by Alfred Jenkins in the 1980 season (155 yards), and tied teammate Roddy White’s team record for receptions in a playoff game.
“He’s a heck of player,” White said. “He’s been that all year long. That’s what we are going to need him to do. For our team to win, he’s going to have to be that type of player and come out there and make a lot of plays like he did today.”
Gonzalez finished with eight catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. He said he still plans to retire after 16 seasons.
“That’s probably going to be the last time I wear that uniform, or football pads, and cleats,” Gonzalez said. “I didn’t want to take it off, tell you the truth. All good things come to an end. Like I said all season, this is probably my last one. But what an unbelievable ride.”
Gonzalez is a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame when he’s eligible. Jones, meanwhile, is a rising star.
He was voted to the NFC Pro Bowl team in just his second season and verified those credentials with the record-setting performance against the 49ers.
“Julio has grown tremendously,” Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas said. “He’s understanding the game even more mentally. He’s really, really realizing he’s unstoppable. Can’t no one stop him.”
It quickly became clear that the 49ers would have trouble doing it.
“First half, he exploded on the scene on us,” 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith said.
By the end of the first quarter Jones had 100 of the Falcons’ 182 total yards and a 46-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Matt Ryan. Jones beat tight coverage by cornerback Tarell Brown to make a difficult catch in the back of the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
That score staked the Falcons to a 17-0 lead. Douglas said Jones’ hot start prompted the 49ers to shade a safety to his side of the field.
Gonzalez was among the Falcons who took advantage. He had two catches on Atlanta’s next scoring drive: a 16-yard reception that set up the Falcons at San Francisco’s 49 and a 10-yard touchdown catch that extended Atlanta’s lead to 24-14 just before halftime.
Gonzalez has said for months that he’s 95 percent sure he would retire. He increased that number a bit after the Falcons defeated Seattle on Jan. 13 for his first career playoff victory and had said a victory Sunday might make him more likely to return.
After the defeat, Gonzalez sounded as if he’s done playing.
“I’m disappointed, but you will not catch me complaining,” Gonzalez said. “It’d be rude. I owe the game a lot. It’s given me so much, and I’ve had such a great ride. Going back to my Kansas City days, it’s been unbelievable. Yeah, it may not have culminated in a Super Bowl but, you know what, I can’t complain, and I won’t.”
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