Julio Jones says he'll be a full go for the Super Bowl, and obviously at this point he'll be out there full-time; nothing to save him for. But Jones has been playing (dominating) at less than 100 percent, and that will probably the case again today. And next week, champ or no, he might need surgery for his troublesome toe injury.
That's the word from Ian Rapoport. Jones says he's full go, but he was in fact limited in practice during the week. The idea of an extra week off helping his foot isn't necessarily correct. The injury remains.
Probably not something to think about too heavily -- nobody who has the option of starting Julio Jones this week should be considering another player ahead of him -- but one to keep in mind. Jones will be playing in pain. Didn't slow him too much in the NFC Championship Game, though.
A bigger worry for Atlanta might be center Alex Mack. He's playing with a cracked fibula, and although he was taken off the injury report -- he'll play -- he's not fully healthy. Very possible he can't go the entire game, and that would be a significant blow to Atlanta's offense.
The betting line on the game doesn't appear to have moved. It opened with New England favored by 3 points, and that still seems to be the case this morning. Maybe it moves a little as we get closer to kickoff, but it hasn't yet.
Final thoughts: was reading an article at the Boston Globe in which Dave Wannstedt (for what it's worth) thinks the Patriots will emphasize the run. Shorten the game, keep Atlanta off the field. While everyone thinks the quarterbacks will be key, he says LeGarrette Blount and the ground game will lead the way.
If you want to see some supremely confident media people, by all means go read the Globe coverage. They're looking forward to Roger Goodell having to hand the trophy to Belichick and Brady after the game. Still smarting over that pesky suspension.
Anyway, game starts in just nine hours.
--Andy Richardson