Not that this should come as a surprise, but Falcons receiver Julio Jones says he isn't going anywhere.
Jones, whose offseason workouts with the team have been limited to light running and cutting after needing a second foot surgery last year , says he fully expects to sign a contract extension with the Falcons before his rookie deal expires. (The team recently exercised a fifth year option for 2015.)
The Falcons have not made Jones available to the Atlanta media during OTAs (Organized Team Activities). But Jones was interviewed by Sports Illustrated's video site, SI Now, and said, "I will not get to free agency. They gave up a lot for me [in a pre-draft trade] and they know how hard I work. They’re not going to let me go."
I've transcribed most of the interview below. He also he hopes the Falcons re-sign wide receiver Roddy White, whose contract expires after the 2015 season.
I thought Jones' response to Alabama's loss to Auburn, followed by a Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma, was amusing. The Crimson Tide also lost the Sugar Bowl (to Utah) after losing to Florida for the SEC championship and a trip to the BCS title game in Jones' freshman season.
"Nobody cares about playing in the Sugar Bowl," Jones said. "When I was there in my freshman year we lost to Florida. We went to the Sugar Bowl and we lost to Utah. Nobody wanted to play that game. Everybody was disappointed because we thought we were going to the championship game."
Here's the transcription of Jones' remarks. Links to the interview are at the end.
• On his progress rehabilitating from a broken foot: “I’m just running routes right now. Early in the week I was excited about being able to run, just trying to get my stamina back. But now I’ m able to plant off my right foot. It feels really good.”
• On whether he’ll go at full speed in OTAs or mini-camp: “I don’t think so. We’re just day by day. Whatever the trainer and the head coach want me to do out there, I’m willing to do. We’re not in a rush because the season is so far away right now … I can run routes, I’ve been working out since February. I’m back on schedule. I’m ahead of schedule, actually. Just making sure I’m ready to go for next year. Week 1 I’ll be ready to go.”
• On people second-guessing Falcons pre-draft trade for him: “I really don’t care what nobody says about our organization. My organization, they believed in me and I’m going to do my best to go out there and perform. We just had a minor setback last year. … I’m getting healthy so we can go out there and make a run.”
• On the Falcons’ 2013 season: “Last year we went 4-12 because we had a lot of injuries. So we just have to bounce back and I think we have the right guys on our team.”
• On still being upset about Alabama’s lost to Auburn, followed by a Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma, after an 11-0 start: “You watch it now. … Nobody cares about playing in the Sugar Bowl. When I was there in my freshman year we lost to Florida [in the SEC championship game]. We went to the Sugar Bowl and we lost to Utah. Nobody wanted to play that game. Everybody was disappointed because we thought we were going to the [BCS] championship game. … [Last] the same thing happened. They lost the game to Auburn, then they go to the Sugar Bowl and Oklahoma beats them. At Alabama, it’s either championship or [nothing]. We do have to get out of that mindset because every game matters. But I’m still frustrated about the Iron Bowl. I’m very upset about that.”
• On whether Nick Saban will stay at Alabama to the end of his Alabama contract in 2022: “Of course. As long as [wife] Miss Terry is happy, he’ll stay there.”
• On Instagram photo of him catching a sailfish: “I went out to Charleston with Roddy [White] and supported him. … [The photo was taken] outside of Myrtle Beach, about 72 miles out. Went out fishing and caught a sailfish. … I catch sharks, mermaids, all that stuff. Nothing to it.”
• On his Instagram photo of him being shirtless and sitting on a horse: “I was in Costa Rica. It was very hot, like 99. We were on a trail ride, touring the island.”
• On his Instagram photo of him wearing camp and holding a plastic gun: “The gun is plastic. I’m sponsored by UnderArmour. I went deer hunting. I saw a lot of Bambis out there but I didn’t want to shoot them.”
• Does he think he’ll get to free agency? “No. I will not get to free agency. They gave up a lot for me and they know how hard I work. They’re not going to let me go. And I love Atlanta, I love being here.”
• On how he's affected if Roddy White doesn't his contract extended past 2014: "A lot of double team. I’d get double-teamed every game. It’s gonna be difficult. But I think Roddy’s going to be there. He wants to play three more years with us.”
Here are the links to SI Now's online interview with Jones:
-- Part 1: link
-- Part 2: link
-- Part 3: link
-- Part 4: link
-- Part 5: link
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