Here’s what Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones had to say on Thursday in advance of Sunday’s game against the Redskins:
On the need to run the ball: "The Redskins haven't played the 2018 Atlanta Falcons. We're going in there and trying to run the ball. We're going to run, we're going to pass. They've got to stop us.
On Washington's cornerbacks: "They do a great job punching the ball out and things like that, sacrificing their bodies. Josh Norman, he's doing a great job. He learned from Tillman later in his career over there at Carolina so he kind of punches the ball out. The ball is everything. We train every day at practice just to hold onto the ball."
On if he enjoys going against Norman: "You know, Josh, he really doesn't talk out there. Just business. We just go against each other, and try to play the game the right way."
On if their mutual respect between him and Norman: "There's no bad blood between me and Josh. Played against him at Carolina. My first time since he's been at Washington. Great guy. I don't have anything bad to say about him. He plays the game the way it's supposed to be played.
“I appreciate him, just the way he plays the game. He goes out there and he tries to create turnovers for his team. He puts himself in different situations, he throws his body around. ...
“When he was at Carolina, more of a cover-two team, quarters. At the Skins, it depends on whether the other corner plays if he’ll travel or not. We don’t have their game plan. We just have to work on us, and be ready for anything and everything.”
On his prediction for the Alabama-LSU game: "You know, that game is always tough, especially down there. It's definitely a tough game down there, playing in Death Valley. What time is the game? (8 p.m.) It's going to be crazy, but coach (Nick) Saban will have the guys ready. External factors, we're not going to let that get in the way because those people are not on the field. It's going to be a lot of energy in the stadium, but I got to go Roll Tide. Score? . . . 38, 42. We're going to score points now. It's kind of hard to not say we're going to score points.
“I’m going 42-17, something like that. You heard it here first.”
