FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan delivered the pass high, outside and just inside the right front end-zone pylon, which is exactly where any 6-foot-3, 220-pound wide receiver supposedly worth five draft picks should be able to catch it for a touchdown.
And that’s exactly what Julio Jones did late in Thursday afternoon’s practice.
“Nice catch,” said Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who just may become The Sporting News’ NFL executive of the year for a third time in four seasons if Jones justifies surrendering those picks — including next year’s first-rounder.
Then again, the next pass thrown the rookie’s way — by backup quarterback Chris Redman — was picked off, in part because Jones failed to screen defensive back Dominique Franks from the ball.
Perhaps that’s why Falcons receivers coach Terry Robiskie told the Atlanta media last week, “Julio still has a ways to go.”
Of course, Robiskie was also lightning quick to add, “But he has enough God-given talent that he could do some things bad that can turn out good.”
Less than one full week into August, every NFL rookie has a ways to go. Especially given the five-month lockout.
To help shorten that learning curve, Jones said he’s “studying my playbook every night. I’m going to do whatever it takes. If I don’t start, I’m not going to hang my head. I’ll start on special teams if they need me. I’m just trying to listen and learn and play hard every day.”
To that end, he participated on special teams during the Falcons’ rain-shortened scrimmage at Norcross High School on Friday night, his efforts drawing loud applause from the crowd.
Beyond that, Jones is yet to bristle at the good-natured hazing most rookies must go through early in camp.
“I’ve carried shoulder pads; I’ve gotten guys something to eat,” Jones said. “I sang ‘Mister Biggs’ when I had to get up and sing something. So far it hasn’t been anything every other rookie hasn’t had to do when they come into the NFL. That’s just all part of it.”
If Jones seems more mature than most, it may be because of the coaching he got at Alabama.
“I was coached well at the University of Alabama by Coach [Nick] Saban,” he said. “He always told us to play fast and be accountable, and that’s what I’m trying to do every day here.”
As if on cue, Robiskie told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week: “The No. 1 thing that I tell receivers all of the time is run fast. If he can run fast, we can overcome a lot of the other things.”
Saban is not the only reason Jones may be feeling more comfortable than most rookies. Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey ran Saban’s Miami Dolphins offense in 2006, so he’s already comfortable with the basic blue print.
One other thing Jones shouldn’t have to overcome is an aversion to blocking, often a problem for rookie wideouts.
“Oh, I know how to block,” he said. “We had to block at Alabama. Just don’t let my guy touch the ball carrier. I know how important that is.”
The Falcons clearly want to lower expectations, despite Dimitroff mortgaging his draft future to move up 21 spots to land Jones with the sixth overall pick.
After all, good as Jones may prove to be, wideout Roddy White was an All-Pro last year. Tight end Tony Gonzalez has played in 11 Pro Bowls. To talk up Jones over those two might place undue pressure on him and create unnecessary resentment from the veterans.
Yet to watch Jones even for a few minutes is to appreciate Robiskie’s view that he is so talented he could turn mistakes into magic.
“He was here with us in the offseason, and I think that’s going to pay dividends,” Ryan said. “Julio’s made some mistakes, but he’s done some things really well.”
Someone asked Jones late last week if he felt he was doing things well enough to warrant a starting spot in the regular-season opener at Chicago on Sept. 11.
“I do,” said Jones, who then raced away to the Falcons’ dining hall, presumably to fetch dinner for one of his older teammates.