The Atlanta Falcons continue to tout Julio Jones and Roddy White as the best receiving duo in the NFL. That may be true, but injuries have prevented the two players from being on the field at the same time over the past two seasons. Jones has dealt with his share of issues while White has been on and off the field more in the past two years than ever before in his career. Hoping to truly capitalize off both players this season, White did not get off to a positive start when he sat out most of minicamp with a knee issue.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution White sat out of most of minicamp due to a knee injury, but returned on the final day. The Falcons need White healthy this season. His health will be crucial to the progress of the offense in 2015, especially after the departure of Harry Douglas who capitalized off injuries from White and Jones over the past two years. White admitted that receiving numbers might be smaller this season since there is a new focus on the run game. White stressed balance more in 2015.
"I just don't think we're going to go out there and throw it 30, 40 times a game like we did in the past," White said, via the AJC. "I'm not saying that we didn't like that, but it's going to be different. We have to get back to our old (style) where we run the football. Play-action passes and convert on third downs. Just make the game really simple. The more you simplify the game, the easier it is to play football. That's what they want to do and that's what we are going to have to do. Go out there and play fast and know what you're doing."
With White out, several other wide receivers were able to step up and excel. A standout in minicamp was rookie Justin Hardy who is quickly becoming a new favorite target for quarterback Matt Ryan. According to ESPN.com, Hardy has really excelled while players like White sat out and Devin Hester was excused for a family matter.
"Justin Hardy's done a great job," Ryan said, via ESPN.com. "He's really picked up things. And you can see him kind of every practice he goes out there, he gets a little more comfortable and he becomes a little more confident. That's going to bode well for us. His production for us this season is going to be important."
Veteran Leonard Hankerson is also taking advantage of the added field time as he became a standout in minicamp following a free agency contract. The Falcons need as much depth at the position as possible. Hankerson will likely work in rotation with Eric Weems and Hester while Hardy will get the starting nod alongside Jones and White.
