As the second week of OTAs comes to a close, one big issue still remains for the Atlanta Falcons, the contract to Julio Jones. The wide receiver did not show any ill will towards the team and reported on time for OTAs despite entering the final year of his contract without an extension in site. The Falcons made it clear their top priority is getting the leading receiver signed to a new deal, but as Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas also sit without a contract, is it realistic to think Jones will get signed before the season begins?
According to ESPN's Vaughn McClure, negotiations for Jones' contract are underway, but clearly no progress has been made. Thomas Dimitroff stated that he was confident the team would get a new contract complete, but so far nothing has come from it. Jones has remained quiet about the whole ordeal, maintaining that he simply wants to be a Falcon for many years to come and is hopeful things will get worked out.
"That's where we'll continue to focus right now," Dimitroff said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He's an important part of making sure that we get things accomplished in the relatively near future."
The issue for Jones is that Bryant, Thomas and AJ Green also sit without a contract and the market has yet to be truly set. Quarterback contracts are getting done because the Miami Dolphins pulled the trigger on a deal for Ryan Tannehill which rippled down to Cam Newton getting a contract which means Russell Wilson is next. The receivers need that to happen and until it does nothing will get accomplished.
Until then, Jones is focused on adapting to the new offense with coordinator Kyle Shanahan. He and Roddy White have been the focus for Matt Ryan while the team is seeing a few breakout stars start to emerge. According to Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Tevin Coleman is looking like he can excel in both the run game and passing game. Rookie Justin Hardy appears to be emerging as the No. 3 wide receiver behind Jones and White. Jacob Tamme is proving he is worthy of the starting tight end spot.
The emergence of Tamme is needed. Last year, the Falcons tried to get by with Levine Toilolo and it simply did not work out. While he is a major red zone threat, he has yet to find consistency. Tamme is a savvy veteran and could be the closest the Falcons have come to replacing Tony Gonzalez.
