Julio Jones is ready to capitalize on his third year in the NFL. After a breakout season in 2012, the Atlanta Falcons wide receiver is returning with one thing on his mind, Super Bowl. Jones makes up half of the best receiving tandem in the NFL alongside Roddy White, but it is players on the other side of the ball that are influencing Jones in 2013.
While the Falcons do not have an abundance of players with championship experience, they have key veteran leadership that could take them far in the upcoming season. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora and running back Steven Jackson were two key pickups for the Falcons during free agency and Jones is looking at the two veterans to influence his season.
"Every morning Osi is working out in the facility before anyone even gets there. I noticed that, so I started doing that. Little things like that will make this team great," Jones said.
He notes that 29-year old Jackson keeps his body in tip top shape which helps his overall playing ability. The wide receiver joked that Jackson had the body of a 22-year old and he hopes to follow in his footsteps.
"Steven comes out there and he works. I don't know how old he is. I know he's a veteran, but he gets out there and works every play. He's taking every rep whenever coach wants him in there. That stuff is not mandatory, man, it's voluntary. You can come if you want to, but Steven is there working. I really believe he is going to make the Atlanta Falcons better," Jones said to FOX Sports.
Earlier in the offseason, Jackson said he was changing his diet in order to help prolong his play days. He recently switched to a gluten-free diet which he believes helps with inflammation and will hopefully cut down on daily aches and pains. Jones is taking the same mentality. The wide receiver cut pork and beef out of diet, reducing those trips to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, a place he was a frequent visitor at with White.
Jones has his sights set on the Super Bowl this season. The Falcons came within nine yards of the big game last season and he does not plan on letting it slip away again this year. He believes his chemistry with quarterback Matt Ryan will be beneficial. Jones says that he and Ryan have the same goals and the same amount of confidence in each other.
