Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones, who set a franchise record with 1,593 receiving yards last season, was not content with his overall performance in 2014 and is intent on elevating his game this season.
"I definitely can improve," Jones said Thursday night during the team's annual state-of-the-franchise meeting with season-ticket holders, streamed live on the team's website. "I don't feel like I did my best last year. I'm bigger, faster, stronger than I ever was, to this point now. Shoutout to the trainers. They helped me out. But I definitely can improve on everything."
Jones led the league last season with 31 catches of 20-plus yards and finished third with 104 receptions (164 targets). He did so despite missing one game with an oblique injury and being nagged by an ankle injury. And, he was named to his second-career Pro Bowl, although he was shut out in the All-Pro voting.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Jones had four drops last season, which was tied for 24th-fewest among the 48 players with at least 100 targets. His drop percentage of 2.5 was 31st among 84 qualified wide receivers in 2014.
Jones said practicing daily against talented cornerbacks such as Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford should enhance his game.
"Tru, Alford, we work together," Jones said. "We try to compete every day, try to get better. And Coach [Dan Quinn] challenges us every day to go out there and be the best we can possibly be. And that's what we do."
Jones did not discuss his contract situation, although the topic was brought up through the course of the event. Owner Arthur Blank, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and Quinn all have expressed a desire to keep Jones around for the long term. Jones has one year remaining on his deal and will make $10.2 million this season.
As Jones sat in the audience, Dimitroff was asked when a new contract is expected to be completed. Dimitroff said it's coming soon.
"We're obviously keyed up about working on Julio and having him here for a long, long time," Dimitroff said. "He's obviously an incredibly important part to this offense.