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Julio Jones is Here to Win, Not Hold Out

By John Buhler

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Until both parties agree to terms, the Julio Jones contract extension will loom large over the Atlanta Falcons organization this summer.  While other Pro Bowl players like Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant and San Diego Chargers FS Eric Weddle plan to holdout until they get a new deal, Jones plans to take part in all Falcons activities because he “wants to win.”

-= Related: How To Negotiate Julio Jones A New Falcons Deal =-

Jones wants to “lead by example” and be available to help out his Falcons teammates during both minicamp and training camp later this summer.  He says that a holdout would be “selfish” and he knows the risks he is running by participating on an expiring contract.

“I want to be here for a long time, but it’s on (Thomas Dimitroff and my agent) to make that decision.” – Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones on his ongoing contract negotiations.

Jones said that injuries happen when you don’t give your best effort and try to play carefully.  Obviously Julio doesn’t want to mope through practice because he doesn’t have a new contract and end up getting hurt.  So he plans to practice the only way he know how: hard.

He didn’t talk specifics with the ongoing discussions about a new deal.  Jones feels that he needs to focus on his performance and let his agent and Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff handle the contract negotiations.  He did say, “I want to be here for a long time, but it’s on them to make that decision.”

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I’m optimistic that Julio’s new deal with the Atlanta Falcons gets done by the first few days of training camp.  I’ve been impressed with Jones’ professionalism in handling this situation.  It’s not easy to play on an expiring deal as such a high-profile player.  But he is clearly taking the higher road and put his team first this summer.  It will go a long way towards getting familiar with Kyle Shanahan’s new offense.

I don’t think Julio Jones wants to miss a single rep on the field in this new offense.  Jones will still want to know the verbiage, route trees, and run blocking schemes in Shanahan’s system.  I know it’s a business but I feel that Julio Jones will be rewarded a lucrative contract not just for his outstanding play on the field, but partly because of his patience and professionalism during these ongoing contract negotiations.

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