Jones not sure what’s in store for an encore

“Last year, was last year,” Jones said Tuesday. “It’s a totally different year. My goal is to come out here and be the best teammate that I can possibly be. I just come out here and work every day. It’s going to pay off on its own.”

The Falcons’ offense propelled the team to a 6-1 start last season, but things fell apart over the last nine games under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

There were rumblings of the unit not adjusting and not being on the same page that caused the production to drop dramatically. Long-time wide receiver Roddy White was released, and the players and coaches have tried to mend the fences over the offseason.

“I’ve sat down with Kyle,” Jones said. “Kyle sat us down one by one and then talked to us as whole. His biggest thing is communication.”

Jones admits that things were in disarray at times last season.

“We were everywhere,” Jones said. “Our job is to make sure that we are on the same page with the quarterback because Kyle is coaching the quarterback. He’s coaching all of us, but if you’re telling the quarterback one thing and our receivers coach is telling us another thing, we are going to be off.”

The receivers and quarterbacks had another meeting Tuesday after practice.

“We just have to do a better job of communicating,” Jones said.

While all parties are working to get on the same page, Jones has embraced his new leadership role.

“I miss Roddy a lot,” Jones said. “It’s a business. Now, for the younger guys, I’m the guy to look up to and I’m willing to teach guys.”

Jones plans to pass along the lessons he learned from White.

“I learned a lot from Roddy about being a great teammate, about bringing other guys, the young guys, with you and showing them the right way to go out here and play the game of football,” Jones said.

White, the franchise’s all-time leading receiver in catches (808), yards (10,863) and touchdowns (63), was released in March. He wants to continue playing for a contender. Carolina, Tampa Bay and Minnesota have been mentioned as possible landing spots for White.

Jones thought White would have signed by now.

“I’m very surprised, but you know how it is in the NFL,” Jones said.

While he’s concerned about White, Jones is ready to move forward with wide receivers Mohamed Sanu and Justin Hardy.

Sanu was signed in free agency and is the team’s No. 2 wide receiver.

“He has hit the ground running from Day 1,” Jones said. “He’s been making great plays. Great finishes. Very explosive. Has great hands. He’s going to be a great weapon for us.”

Hardy, a second-year receiver from East Carolina, made a spectacular one-handed catch in the OTA drills.

“He’s going to make great plays for us this upcoming season,” Jones said. “It’s just all about maturity and the experience. He’s a year into it, so he’s now getting that experience under his belt.”

Jones didn’t rave about Hardy’s catch.

“That was a great catch, but that’s routine for him,” Jones said. “He’s got to feel like it’s routine for him.”