Julio Jones spoke with the meda Thursday, just three days before the Falcons open the regular season against the Saints. The Pro Bowl wide receiver was asked about several things including returning after missing 11 games last season with a foot injury, playing the rival Saints and his role on the recently completed HBO series ‘Hard Knocks.’
Q. Can you verbalize what it means to be back to start the season, especially in a rivalry game against the Saints?
A. I'm just happy to be back, just being healthy and going out there and playing in the regular season. I was down last year. I wasn't there to help my teammates. Now, I just feel great man. I feel like I'm 100 percent right now going into this game.
Q. No limitations (with the foot)?
A. No limitations at all.
Q. Are you to the point where you are not thinking about the foot anymore?
A. I'm definitely to that point. My foot is great. I'm still doing treatment, all the little things, but for the most part I'm 100 percent.
Q. What stands out about the Saints defense?
A. They are a great defense overall. First of all, their line will get pressure on your quarterback. They are very athletic in the secondary. We just have to pick our spots and connect on them.
Q. As a player, how do you feel about the opening game being against a rival division opponent? Would you have liked to had a game or two first?
A. It doesn't matter. We have to play them anyways. It's good for us too though. We are just going to get a win out of the way, a divisional game and we win, we are up in the division. We have to see where we are at. Last year wasn't a season we liked to have. We just have to get back out there this season and start over.
Q. What goes through your mind when you get added coverage?
A. I'm doing my job. I'm helping my teammates out. They know I'm going to have double coverage. And I expect to have double coverage. If not, I'm going to go out there and make some plays, make something happen. I have to take my job seriously in those situations. I can't go out there and take plays off because I'm not getting the ball. I still have to go out there and run full speed to draw that coverage.
Q. What about their secondary in general terms?
A. Great secondary. Great secondary. Like I said, we are going to have to pick our points and pick our minutes and make plays. They are very talented in their secondary.
Q. What kind of expectations do you have for yourself?
A. Just going out there, playing a full game and staying healthy. I know it's going to feel good to be back out there on the field in a regular-season game.
Q. How has your role changed coming into this year as opposed to previous years?
A. I don't think it's changed. I expect a lot out of myself and my teammates do as well. I just have to go out there and play. Me being back to 100 percent that is all they want to see.
Q. Is there a leadership role or are you more vocal in wide receiver meetings?
A. All of us, we know what we've got to do. We play for each other. That is the best thing about being on this team and being in the receiver room. We just play for each other. We don't put no added pressure on each other or someone say 'you need to do this or do that.' We know what we need to do in our room and we are going to go out there and make plays.
Q. Coach (Dirk) Koetter said there aren't a lot of guys like you in this league who can take a short six-yard slant and take it to the house. What are your thoughts about having the confidence of the coaching staff and players?
A. I expect to do those things. And my teammates do. Like I said, back to the receiver room, they expect that once we get the ball in our hands and we get one-on-one, whoever has the ball in their hands is going to make that play. We work on that every day. If I catch a slant in practice, I'm going to the house. It doesn't matter. It's just something you have to practice.
Q. Who important is it to have you, Roddy (White) and Harry (Douglas) back healthy?
A. It's very important. They key is to keep us healthy. Last year, we wasn't healthy as a football team and we didn't do a good job last year. The key is staying healthy. Like I said, I'm glad to be back out there with those guys. I'm healthy. Roddy's healthy. Harry. We've got Devin Hester as well. Eric Weems. All of us, we are going to go out there and make some plays.
Q. What are your thoughts about how 'Hard Knocks' came out?
A. I didn't watch that stuff.
Q. You didn't? Seriously?
A. Seriously. People were like 'Where you at? Where you at? Why aren't you on camera?' I was like, I don't do that stuff. They were like 'Do you want to get miked up?' Not really. I'm just laid back and chill. I don't want to be in the limelight like that.
Q. Didn't you had the big ending scene?
A. Man, I forgot that was in there. I'm so competitive with those (games of) cards.
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