Quotables: Julio Jones thinks Falcons have the best wide receiver duo in the NFL
Julio Jones and Roddy White were probably the best duo of receivers in the league in 2012, but 2013 was rough for both. Jones thinks they’re still the best, though.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Falcons wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White didn't have the best season last year. Both sustained multiple injuries that kept them out of significant time, but Jones still thinks the duo is the best in football. "When you step on the field, you should feel that you're the best, you and whoever your partner is," Jones said, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.
Jones went on to say that he and White are “the best when we step on the field.” In 2012, the two had claim to the title, with a combined 2,716 yards and 19 touchdowns. Unfortunately, last season, the two combined for just under 1,300 yards and just five touchdowns. Of course, Jones only played in five games, while White missed three (and was basically used as a decoy for many more). Both healthy, they could turn things around in 2014.
“Every coach has their own philosophy and coaching style. It could work, it could not work. It didn’t and we went 4-12.”
New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis has spoken at length about his brief time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, during which he seemed to regress and lose the title of "best cornerback in the NFL." But when asked about the coaching in Tampa Bay, Revis responded that "Every coach has their own philosophy and coaching style," saying that said style "could work, it could not work." As he notes, via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, it didn't, and the Buccaneers had another losing season.
Revis added that, as a result of the season, “A lot of us got fired.” Still, Revis is happy to move on, and when asked about the things he’ll miss the most about Tampa Bay, he responded “the weather.” This was somewhat tongue-in-cheek of course, but Revis’ time was thoroughly disappointing on every level. That didn’t stop the Patriots from signing him to a two-year, $32 million contract within hours of his release from Tampa Bay, though.
“Taylor [Lewan] has to be able to play both sides.”
-Bob Bostad, Tennessee Titans offensive line coach
Tennessee Titans rookie offensive tackle Taylor Lewan is playing both the left and the right tackle spots, though where he'll end up catching on is anybody's guess. What's clear is that he's expected to be able to play both sides, as offensive line coach Bob Bostad said, according to John Glennon of The Tennessean. Bostad added that he doesn't know what's going to happen with the position just yet, calling it "a game of attrition."
Lewan has to be ready, says Bostad. He's got an uphill climb for certain, with Michael Roos entrenched as the starter on the left side and Michael Oher competing for the right side. Roos only has one year remaining on his contract, however, and Oher has struggled thus far in the NFL. Lewan could be in line for a starting role on the right side, with a switch to the left next season, but that all depends on how he performs in training camp.
“I’ve been getting a lot of mental reps, and I think that helps.”
New York Giants running back David Wilson still hasn’t received medical clearance following neck surgery, but he’ll go in for an exam on July 21 to potentially receive that clearance. Wilson isn’t keen on answering questions related to the injury specifically, but he did have a few good quotes about where he’s at with the offense and what he’s been doing during organized team activities.
Wilson said that he’s been getting “a lot of mental reps,” and that he learns when he’s “watching and I have a visual in front of me,” according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. Wilson has a lot of potential as a runner, but injuries limited him to just five games last season and only 146 yards (3.3 yards per carry). That’s disappointing after a strong rookie season in which he rushed for 5.0 yards per carry on average, so it will be an uphill battle to earn a starting role going forward.
"[LaMichael James' spot on the roster] is looking much more secure than it appeared a month ago."
-Matt Maiocco, CSN Bay Area
The San Francisco 49ers have a crowded group of running backs currently on the roster. There's Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, Marcus Lattimore, Jewel Hampton, and now rookie second-round pick, Carlos Hyde. The thing that's interesting about this group is that, aside from Hampton, it's impossible to tell which of these players will be future starters, as they all seem to have the qualities sought after in a feature back in today's NFL.
James is a player who has received limited opportunities since being drafted, however. He’s primarily been relegated to punt return duties, which has led many to believe he’ll be the first to go, possibly via trade for a mid- to late-round pick. But James has apparently looked good enough fielding punts during offseason practices that Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area is coming around on the possibility of James sticking around for at least another year. We’ll have a clearer picture of things once training camp rolls around, but it’s an interesting development nonetheless.
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