Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones has been heard.
He gave his input on how the offense can pull itself out of the slump. Now, he’s ready to face the Indianapolis Colts and cornerback Vontae Davis at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
“We have a meeting every Wednesday after practice called the Dirty Dozen with (coach Dan Quinn),” Jones said. “We just give suggestions. It’s just the leaders on the team. We just talk to him about how practice is going and what we are feeling like. How’s the schedule? What needs to be changed and how we feel like we can get better.
“It’s up to (the coaches) to make those calls as far as the offense and defense.”
After losing to San Francisco, Jones, Roddy White and Matt Ryan discussed how to pull the offense out of the gutter. After a fast start to the season, the Falcons have averaged 16.7 points over the past four games.
There was talk of increasing the tempo on offense and perhaps using more of the no-huddle. After bye-week evaluations, major changes are not coming. Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan believes the offense can get back on track by eliminating penalties and turnovers.
Jones, who’s been the target on 30 percent of the pass plays, is fine if he carries a heavy load.
“That’s not my call,” Jones said. “That’s the offensive coordinator’s call. I’m probably the first read, and nine times out of 10, I’m going to be open early on in the progression, if not on the first read.”
Jones believes the Falcons can spread the ball around more and get Roddy White, who has only 30 targets and 17 catches, more involved.
“We have a lot of playmakers on this team,” Jones said. “I feel like everybody can make a play if the ball goes to them.”
Jones leads the NFL with 80 catches through nine games and has 1,029 yards receiving. He’s on pace to catch 142 passes and gain 1,829 yards receiving.
Shanahan said he spends his time making sure that Jones gets involved.
Former Indianapolis receiver Marvin Harrison set the single-season mark of 143 catches in 2002. Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson set the record for most receiving yards in a season, with 1,964 in 2012.
“Those numbers don’t mean anything to me,” Jones said. “If we are not winning, what good are the numbers?”
The Falcons haven’t been winning of late as the offense has stalled. They are 1-3 over the past four games after winning their first five games.
“I try to do any and everything I can do to help the team win,” Jones said. “In the next weeks that we have left, if it’s me who has to just go out there and block or draw coverage, that’s what I’m going to do to win. If I need to go out there and catch 1,000 yards or 80 balls, whatever I have to do, I’m going to try do it.”
Quinn appreciates Jones’ attitude.
“I think the thing that people from the outside don’t know is what kind of teammate he is and why he’s held in such high regard inside this building, inside this locker room, is because of the way he works,” Quinn said. “He’s got this unbelievable work ethic.”
The Colts may elect to have Davis shadow Jones.
“Vontae is a talented, talented guy and we’ve asked a lot of him and rightfully so,” Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano said. “You’re the No. 1 corner, that’s part of the job description.”
Jones plans to be ready for the challenge.
“I don’t know if he’s going to be one-on-one with me, but I know he follows you around,” Jones said. “I don’t know what coverage they are going to give us behind it. A lot of times, they’ll match guys with me, but they’ll also have safety help.”
The offense will continue to feature Jones and try to eliminate the turnovers.
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