Julio Jones expects more deep passes in 2016
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones and quarterback Matt Ryan are trying to perfect their timing on deep passes during minicamp in anticipation of an increased focus on downfield offense in 2016.
On Wednesday, Jones and Ryan were unable to connect on a deep ball in practice, which sparked a discussion about placing an emphasis on improvement in that area.
"We've just got to be on the same page," Jones said, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN. "Me and Matt had a deep ball today and we did not connect. But that's why we've got to talk about having that communication, not having gray areas. We've got to know, in those situations, like where he's going to throw. And my mindset is, 'OK, he's going to put the ball here. This is my mindset. This is my approach. This is where I'm going to come off the line to go get the ball, the deep ball.'"
After Jones received 15 targets of 25-plus yards in 2015, the Falcons understand his threat as a deep receiver was not fully realized, especially considering they only connected on six of those passes. Adding another burner in Aldrick Robinson won't hurt the Falcons chances of connecting on deep passes, and with Mohamed Sanu expected to operate as a possession receiver, defenses will have to sag on Jones.
"Sometimes, it might be back shoulder. Sometimes it's not. You can't predetermine it. And those are just little things we have to communicate on and keep working. But overall, we're doing a great job. We really don't miss those no more. And we're going to take a lot more chances and shots down the field. ... We've got Aldrick Robinson on the team, and he's another deep-ball threat for us - great hands, can go get the ball."
Even though the offense will place an emphasis on improving their efficiency on deep shots, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is preaching caution about designing an offense strictly around high-risk passing.
"We don't look at numbers because you look at defenses," Shanahan said. "Yeah, we didn't take every (deep ball) opportunity we should have. There's a lot of options on them. Sometimes, when you do have them, everything's got to be in line. You have to have the protection. You have to make sure the safety is not going over. You have to make sure the receiver gets off the bump."
Usually, explosive plays have never been an issue. I know we didn't get as many last year as we wanted to. ... We actually had a good amount of explosive plays. We didn't have a good amount of explosive touchdowns. Our guy who can do it the most, Julio, he got a bunch at the beginning of the year, but it's a little harder to get explosive plays when there's always a second guy over the top of you. That's why we had to move him and recreate some. I'm hoping other guys can do it, too."