FLOWERY BRANCH -- It’s been an up and down season for Falcons rookie Julio Jones. The wide receiver has three 100-yard games this season, but has missed three games with hamstring injuries.
In nine games, Jones has 34 catches for 566 yards and two touchdowns.Yet he had a dropped ball and several mental mistakes in last week’s loss to the Texans.
In a Q&A with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jones discussed his injuries, the pressure of being the No. 6 overall pick in the draft and his teammates' advice following Sunday’s loss.
Q: Overall, how do you feel your rookie season has gone?
A: As far as my rookie season, it could be a lot better. I've been battling injuries but, for the most part, it has been good.
Q: What is it, when you look back, that you think could be better?
A: I just need to take care of my body a little better from the injuries. And going out there and helping my teammates. I feel like early on I made some rookie mistakes. Now I can go out there and make better judgments.
Q: How long has it taken you to feel comfortable in the offense?
A: When I practice, I feel very confident. I've been confident in the offense..
Q: You can’t point to one play as the reason you lost to the Texans. When you look back at the last play, the ball that hit you, what do you think about that?
A: You put any player in that position, they feel like they should have made that play. I feel like I should have made that play. There are a lot of plays leading up to that one play that could have turned the tide in that game. I just have to be a playmaker and step up in that position and make that play.
Q: Do you have a mentor on this team that has taken you under his wing, especially after a tough game like last week?
A: A lot of the older guys talk to you all the time. [They said], "There is a lot of season left. We have four more games, and the playoffs, left. Just keep looking ahead. Don't look back."
Q: How encouraging was it to have a player like Tony Gonzalez talk to you after last week and say that he’s had games like that?
A: It's very encouraging. Also, one of the things the other guys around here, the veterans, have told me is to not look back. Keep playing. Don't go in the tank. I'm not a player to go in the tank. Back to Sunday, I should have made that play. If you put any receiver, any athlete, in that position, they feel like they should have made the play. I didn't, so I just have to keep moving forward and try to get better.
Q: How long did it take to get over it?
A: I talked to a couple of the guys. I'm a big competitor. I thought about it the whole [plane ride back from Houston]. Then after the day was over, I was done with it. It was time to move forward.
Q: Do you feel any pressure considering what the team gave up in the draft to select you that high?
A: No pressure. All the guys around me, I just have to go out there and play and do what I've been doing and play football.
Q: Did you set goals for yourself coming into this year and where do you stand in that regard?
A: No. I just want to make it to the playoffs and, hopefully, win a Super Bowl. That's how I go about it. Just try to get better every week.
Q: What’s been the best part about your rookie season?
A: Meeting Tony, all the veteran guys, guys you grew up looking at. Now, I'm being able to play along side of them. It's an honor.
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