After an initial scare early in training camp, Falcons All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones is rounding into form.
While the tightness that gripped his body was not a major concern, whenever he’s slowed there’s a pall over the team.
Now, that he’s overcome that unspecified ailment, the Falcons can start to consider if Jones and his new running mate, Mohamed Sanu, could turn into one of the top receiving tandems in the NFL.
“You really don’t have to have any expectations for those two guys,” Falcons assistant head coach/wide receivers Raheem Morris said. “They both have pretty high and loft goals for themselves.”
While Jones was slowed by tightness, Sanu, who signed a five-year, $32.5 million contract in free agency after four seasons in Cincinnati, opened camp with a rash of dropped passes.
“He’s had some challenges in practice,” Morris said. “He’s been able to fight through those challenges. I couldn’t be happier with the guy and what he’s bringing to the table.”
Jones turned in a spectacular 136-catch season last season. He had 1,871 yards receiving, but only six touchdowns.
Sanu, who essentially replaces Falcons great Roddy White, has never been a No. 2 wide receiver. His career-high was 56 catches in 2014.
“He’s been a fourth wideout before,” Morris said. “He’s been a third wideout before, and right now he’s trying to fill the second wideout spot. It’s being heavily contended with Justin Hardy. Those three guys have been out there working together, fighting together. I couldn’t be more pleased with them. I’m happy with how the group is panning out.”
Jones is rounding into form. He’s displaying his speed, power and agility in recent practices. Sanu has picked up his game, too.
He’s clearly getting more comfortable with the new offense and his new surroundings after spending four seasons with the Bengals after he was drafted in the third round of the 2012 draft out of Rutgers.
“I’m getting adjusted,” Sanu said. “It’s coming along great.”
Jones and Sanu seemed to have hit it off.
“I love Julio,” Sanu said. “I’m learning a lot from him, seeing the way he works every day. He’s helping me to get better as far as his work ethic and the way he drives every day. It’s great to learn from a guy like that.”
Jones knows the tandem is a work in progress. He was noncommittal when asked if he and Sanu could be as potent as the Jones-White tandem.
“We’re out here now. You got to get to the games and see,” Jones said. “But Sanu, he’s a great addition to the team, and we’ll see that when the season comes around. He looks great out here with his route-running ability, running little routes, short routes inside, choice routes and those things.”
Morris is pleased with the work of Jones and Sanu early in training camp.
“Those two guys are leading their room, and when they talk, people listen,” Morris said. “They have a lot of good things to say. Julio brings a wealth of knowledge to share with him.”
Quarterback Matt Ryan, who leaned heavily on White early in his career, likes how Sanu is progressing.
“He played in a similar-type system in Cincinnati, so a lot of the routes that he’s being asked to run, he’s run before,” Ryan said. “I think it’s just him getting comfortable in this environment around the new guys, and I know that everyone has a lot of respect for him.
Sanu earned some respect for how he battled through his early slump.
“We’ve all been impressed with the way he works and the way that he performs in practice,” Ryan said. “I think as he gets more comfortable, he’s going to continue to showcase what a great player he is.”
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff positions himself behind the defense to get a good look at all 22 players during the 11-on-11 drills.
“I really like this receivers group,” Dimitroff said. “I think they are coming together well. Obviously, Julio sets the tone. He’s such a really good leader for us. Sanu comes in, and Mohamed has a really good presence about him. He fits in really well with the group.”
Last season, the second wide receiver position was problematic. Plays were called for Leonard Hankerson before he was cut, and White was phased out of the attack. Running back Devonta Freeman (73 catches) and tight end Jacob Tamme (59) caught more passes than White (43).
While teams devote attention to Jones, the Falcons are banking on Sanu to break in the open.
“He’s a big, strong guy as well,” Dimitroff said. “So our No. 1 and No. 2 receivers are big, burly and aggressive guys. I think that’s going to be good. I think they both have really fine hands.”
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