When the Atlanta Falcons traded up to draft Julio Jones, the envisioned having a top wide receiver tandem with Roddy White. That has worked out for the team until last season when both players suffered injuries keeping them off the field for most of the year. The results were a suffering Falcons' offense, something the team is hopeful to avoid this year. With both Jones and White healthy again, they are making some lofty predictions for the year ahead.
Jones believes that he and White can put up 1,500 receiving yards, a piece, this season. Statistically speaking, no team has ever had two wide receivers do that. Several wide receiver duos have come close. Detroit receiver's Herman Moore and Brett Perriman put up 1,686 yards and 1,488 yards respectfully in 1995. In 2000, Terry Holt had 1,635 yards while Isaac Bruce had 1,471 yards for the St. Louis Rams. The prediction of two receivers going 1,500 has not been done. Can the two Falcons' receivers make it happen?
"There ain't no telling," Jones said, via Alex Marvez and Gil Brandt on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "Me and Rod - 1,500, 2,000 . . . You never know what we can do out there."
Jones and White both feel they have something to prove. White was inconsistent last year after suffering a high ankle sprain in the preseason and a hamstring injury later in the year. His streak of consecutive 1,000-yard years was broken. Jones was leading the NFL in receiving before suffering a foot injury that knocked him out for the rest of the year after Week 5. The Falcons are in need of a major bounce back year and having both receivers back and healthy is certainly a good way to spark a comeback. Quarterback Matt Ryan is confident it can happen.
"I think it's possible, absolutely," Ryan said, via FOXSports.com. "When you look at what Roddy has done historically here, he's always been consistent. I think everybody knows what he's capable of doing. Julio has had three really good years when he has been healthy. Last year through five games, certainly he was on pace to do that. I'm lucky to have two of the best guys and the best tandem in the NFL. I think they're both going to have big years."
Both receivers will be crucial this season more than ever. Tight end Tony Gonzalez walked off to the land of retirement, leaving a big gap in the offense. Harry Douglas returns after leading the team last season with his first career 1,000-yard season. There is also a lingering issue at running back with Steve Jackson hurt once again. Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman must pick up the slack there. Jones and White will certainly lead the group. The expectations are high, but so is confidence which is always a good thing.
