Post by Iowahorse on Jun 18, 2015 18:28:48 GMT
Julio Jones preparing to play everywhere in new Atlanta Falcons offense
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- A new offense naturally brings new responsibilities for Atlanta Falcons two-time Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones.
So when Jones was asked Wednesday about the most significant changes for him in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's scheme, Jones pointed to where he might align on a weekly basis.
"I'm every position now," Jones said. "Every position: the F, the Z, the Y, the [X] ... every formation, you've got to know everything."
As ESPN's Matt Williamson explained last year, Shanahan's offense stresses getting the ball to the X receiver (the X receiver lines up on the opposite side of the formation from the tight end), so Jones is going to get his share of targets, as expected. Last year in Dirk Koetter's offensive scheme, Jones had a career-high 104 receptions while being targeted 164 times. He primary played the X receiver role outside, but would play the Z on occasion in the two-minute drill.
The Falcons' desire to establish more offensive balance with a strong running game is likely to mean fewer pass attempts for quarterback Matt Ryan. However, that doesn't necessarily mean Jones' targets will be cut in half. If anything, Shanahan sees an opportunity to move Jones around to find different ways to get him the ball. So if that means playing Jones inside to create mismatches, it makes sense.
Last year's Falcons-Browns game at the Georgia Dome might have provided a glimpse of how Shanahan could move Jones. Former Browns receiver Josh Gordon, who served a suspension most of the year, played all over against Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant. Gordon started the game lining up inside then lined up outside in the red zone. He cut across the field on cross routes from the slot and went deep from the X spot when he had to. Gordon finished the game with eight catches for 120 yards while being targeted 16 times. His production would have been much better had Trufant not defended him so well.
Expect Jones to willingly accept moving around, if needed. He is the type of player who will do whatever for the good of the team. That's evident in the way he's handling his contract situation.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- A new offense naturally brings new responsibilities for Atlanta Falcons two-time Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones.
So when Jones was asked Wednesday about the most significant changes for him in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's scheme, Jones pointed to where he might align on a weekly basis.
"I'm every position now," Jones said. "Every position: the F, the Z, the Y, the [X] ... every formation, you've got to know everything."
As ESPN's Matt Williamson explained last year, Shanahan's offense stresses getting the ball to the X receiver (the X receiver lines up on the opposite side of the formation from the tight end), so Jones is going to get his share of targets, as expected. Last year in Dirk Koetter's offensive scheme, Jones had a career-high 104 receptions while being targeted 164 times. He primary played the X receiver role outside, but would play the Z on occasion in the two-minute drill.
The Falcons' desire to establish more offensive balance with a strong running game is likely to mean fewer pass attempts for quarterback Matt Ryan. However, that doesn't necessarily mean Jones' targets will be cut in half. If anything, Shanahan sees an opportunity to move Jones around to find different ways to get him the ball. So if that means playing Jones inside to create mismatches, it makes sense.
Last year's Falcons-Browns game at the Georgia Dome might have provided a glimpse of how Shanahan could move Jones. Former Browns receiver Josh Gordon, who served a suspension most of the year, played all over against Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant. Gordon started the game lining up inside then lined up outside in the red zone. He cut across the field on cross routes from the slot and went deep from the X spot when he had to. Gordon finished the game with eight catches for 120 yards while being targeted 16 times. His production would have been much better had Trufant not defended him so well.
Expect Jones to willingly accept moving around, if needed. He is the type of player who will do whatever for the good of the team. That's evident in the way he's handling his contract situation.