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Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones’ presence noticeable at voluntary drills

By Cullen Crane

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Matt Ryan #2 talks to Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons on the sidelines during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome on January 1, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Matt Ryan #2 talks to Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons on the sidelines during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome on January 1, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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After months of waiting and wondering, Julio Jones kept his promise to teammates and attended some Atlanta Falcons voluntary passing drills.

An Instagram post on the Atlanta Falcons official account on Tuesday morning provided possibly the most understated message of the offseason. The caption: Gang gang! The visual: Matt Ryan and all of the pass catchers — yes, even No. 11.

Julio Jones, who has been noticeably absent from all organized team activities this offseason, can be seen in the picture, lathered up from this morning’s voluntary passing drills.

This is undoubtedly a welcome sight.

The offseason ritual has been organized and led by quarterback Matt Ryan for the last few years. In fact, it was Ryan, back in June when asked about Jones not attending OTAs reassured Falcons fans, that said Jones would be at the voluntary session.

This is a step in the right direction no doubt — a baby step, but a step nonetheless. This is a positive signal on a couple of fronts. One, Jones didn’t hang his quarterback out to dry. Ryan put himself out on a limb by saying Jones would show up a month ago as stories were flying around the team. While even coaches were avoiding the subject of Jones not attending minicamp, Ryan was the one who was willing to make a statement.

Jones being there on Tuesday makes a statement as well. For all the contract “updating” talk, he is committed to making sure the relationships he has on the team are paramount. Secondarily and perhaps even more consequential is the fact that Jones can finally begin the hard work of helping mold rookie Calvin Ridley the way veteran Roddy White for him did when he broke into the league.

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One of the only public statements that Jones made about the drafting of Ridley was when he was caught by a TMZ reporter in LA, in which he said he was looking forward to working with him.

Next date to watch: July 26. That’s the day veterans, including Jones, are set to report to Falcons training camp. Fingers crossed Falcons fans.

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