After going 7-9 last season, the Atlanta Falcons are looking to redeem themselves and find their way back into the playoffs, and have a chance to play for a Super Bowl. Two of the players who can help the Falcons get there are former Alabama wide receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, both of which had an impact of the Falcons last season, and will without a doubt have a huge impact this season as well.
Last year, Julio Jones recorded 99 receptions for 1,394 yards and 6 TDs, which made Jones the Falcons’ new franchise record holder for all time receiver. Calvin Ridley wasn’t far behind Jones with his stats. Ridley had 63 receptions for 866 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Training camp has officially started for the Falcons, and both Jones and Ridley looked like they were having nothing but fun.
#BuiltByBama 😤✊ https://t.co/vhemrFFW7M
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) August 18, 2020
The two were filmed playing catch.
Don’t worry. They’re all business.
In the offseason, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had this to say about Ridley:
“Calvin has been working extremely hard. He looks great, and he’s been putting in a ton of extra time this offseason. We spend a ton of time together.”
Ridley was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons as the 26th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft where he has played since 2018. For the Falcons so far in his career, Ridley has 1,687 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. He also named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2018.
Julio Jones battled the injury bug last season, but Ryan revealed how Jones is looking by saying Julio “has been awesome” this offseason and “looks in great shape.”
Jones, who has become a huge part of the Falcons’ offense, reached the 12,000 yard mark in 125 games, which is 17 less games than it took Jerry Rice to do so. Jones also passed Rice for the second most receiving yards in NFL history in a player’s first nine seasons in the league.
So far in his career with the Falcons, Jones has recorded 12,125 receiving yards and 57 TDs.
It will be fascinating to see what Ridley and Jones can do for the Falcons this season.
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