Julio Skips Voluntary OTAs. And It Is A Good Thing. Ruben Foster, Anyone?

[Tim Mazetti 9,963]

Julio Jones skips start of voluntary OTAs amid contract negotiations

5 comments

The league’s best wide receiver sat out voluntary OTAs and the start of minicamp last season before he was given a pay bump.

By Matthew Chambers May 20, 2019, 4:02pm EDT

 

Players started reporting Monday for the start of organized team activities and there is one notable missing player. Actually, there are probably multiple notable missing players as OTAs are voluntary and veterans tend to prepare away from team HQ. OTAs are primarily workouts that are regulated and limited by the CBA. It helps some players get back into the groove, but it is possible some stay away to prepare more than allowed at OTAs.

The notable player, for the second year in a row, is Julio Jones. Per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jones did not report to Flowery Branch on Monday. Also of interest is Ledbetter noting that Jones was “promised” a new deal this offseason.

First, Jones skipped at least some OTAs in 2018 and 2017, and he was still consistently dominant on a week-to-week basis. Jones eventually missed out on a few days of mandatory minicamp last offseason, but was never out of shape or otherwise struggled with his playbook. In fact, it is common for veteran, Pro Bowl-quality players to consistently skip OTAs and workout elsewhere.

Second, we have heard the team informed Julio they planned to get an extension done this offseason, but “promised” is a strong word . Still, it is becoming frustrating to see the Falcons express optimism about contract extensions that continue to linger.

Grady Jarrett should have been extended before free agency, if not last season. The Falcons have been confident a deal will be worked out, and two months ago a bad rumor suggested the team was “closing in” on a deal that has still yet to materialize.

For whatever reason, we have another offseason of contract extensions dragging far longer than they should. It is still early enough but Julio’s absence suggests they are not “closing in” on a deal. The Falcons may have again hurt themselves by allowing another market-setting deal go through when Antonio Brown netted nearly $30 million guaranteed across three years, with a total of potential cash just above $50 million.

Odds are a deal gets worked out and this situation is quickly forgotten. At the same time, an unnecessary holdout could create a giant headache for the mostly new coaching staff needing to get this team to the playoffs.

[Yo_Lover 18,450]

Good. **** that voluntary ****. No one here would go to work without getting paid, idk why these guys should be expected to.

[R_The_Great 3,048]

Time to move on?

[R_The_Great 3,048]

Just now, Yo_Lover said:

Good. **** that voluntary ****. No one here would go to work without getting paid, idk why these guys should be expected to.

Yeah i mean making a team better means nothing.  These guys get don't get paid enough to do something like OTA's.  Imagine the struggle. 

As far as I am concerned, if you don't want to play here, than GTFO.  Prove you want to be here, if not, there are plenty of up and coming rookies that will take your spot.

Edited May 20 by R_The_Great

[Yo_Lover 18,450]

Just now, R_The_Great said:

Yeah i mean making a team better means nothing.  These guys get don't get paid enough to do something like OTA's.  Imagine the struggle. 

Lol. Hmu when you work for free my dude.

[Tim Mazetti 9,963]

7 minutes ago, Yo_Lover said:

Good. **** that voluntary ****. No one here would go to work without getting paid, idk why these guys should be expected to.

It is illegal to work off-the clock, dammit.

[athell 17,037]

17 minutes ago, R_The_Great said:

Yeah i mean making a team better means nothing.  These guys get don't get paid enough to do something like OTA's.  Imagine the struggle. 

As far as I am concerned, if you don't want to play here, than GTFO.  Prove you want to be here, if not, there are plenty of up and coming rookies that will take your spot.

lmao it begins

[athell 17,037]

"Plenty of up and coming rookies" ready to unseat Julio Jones y'all...we good...

[athell 17,037]

• Workouts cannot begin prior to the first Monday in April for clubs with a new head coach or the third Monday in April for all other clubs

• Workouts are strictly voluntary; Club officials cannot indicate workouts are anything other than voluntary

• Maximum 4 w/o per week (no weekends), with one week being the mandatory minicamp (not permitted on weekends) 

• Contact work is prohibited in all workouts (e.g. "live" blocking, tackling, pass rushing, bump-and-run, etc.) 

• Intensity and tempo of drills should be at a level conducive to learning, with player safety as the highest priority. 

[caponine 4,033]

Nope still doesnt change for me. He should be out there , he is far from being perfect. He still seems to have the case of dropsies. Yall talk about Trufant, but Jones needs the jugg machine just as much. 

[Tim Mazetti 9,963]

8 minutes ago, athell said:

"Plenty of up and coming rookies" ready to unseat Julio Jones y'all...we good...

Er, you do have at least one of those up and comer future HOF receivers on your Excel spreadsheet....Right? ...Right?

[athell 17,037]

6 minutes ago, Tim Mazetti said:

Er, you do have at least one of those up and comer future HOF receivers on your Excel spreadsheet....Right? ...Right?

Ctrl + F

"No matching results"

[athell 17,037]

8 minutes ago, caponine said:

Nope still doesnt change for me. He should be out there , he is far from being perfect. He still seems to have the case of dropsies. Yall talk about Trufant, but Jones needs the jugg machine just as much. 

So the only way he can practice catching is at voluntary workouts?

[caponine 4,033]

1 minute ago, athell said:

So the only way he can practice catching is at voluntary workouts?

no but you cant tell me having him out there doesnt motivate the young bucks. Seeing your best player out there , will inspire them greatly. 

[Tim Mazetti 9,963]

4 minutes ago, athell said:

Ctrl + F

"No matching results"

  Well stroked, my friend. A classic.

So you're an IT Guy? Not to be confused with a Cable Guy, I reckon.

[athell 17,037]

Just now, caponine said:

no but you cant tell me having him out there doesnt motivate the young bucks. Seeing your best player out there , will inspire them greatly. 

Why does Julio have to motivate the young bucks?  Where in his contract does it say he is there to be a motivator?

You are also conveniently forgetting Julio skipping last year and still managing to find time to help Calvin out.

[Tim Mazetti 9,963]

3 minutes ago, caponine said:

no but you cant tell me having him out there doesnt motivate the young bucks. Seeing your best player out there , will inspire them greatly. 

All the DBs and WRs will become inspired by Julio in TC.

[athell 17,037]

3 minutes ago, Tim Mazetti said:

  Well stroked, my friend. A classic.

So you're an IT Guy? Not to be confused with a Cable Guy, I reckon.

Unfortunately.  Was a Firefighter/Paramedic up North but that's a topic for another day

[roguebeaver 2,079]

So having Julio snatching more balls to improve his catching, would be about as beneficial as an having an accomplished cocksman going to the DR for non-needed Viagra! In my book! 

[Tim Mazetti 9,963]

Just now, athell said:

Unfortunately.  Was a Firefighter/Paramedic up North but that's a topic for another day

I am not surprised at the Paramedic. I detected an edge that can come when seeing certain things. Gotta keep it real, but light.

Army Infantry Medic 75-78.

[athell 17,037]

2 minutes ago, Tim Mazetti said:

I am not surprised at the Paramedic. I detected an edge that can come when seeing certain things. Gotta keep it real, but light.

Army Infantry Medic 75-78.

We Firemen don't do well with bs

And thank you for your service, sir!

[SoCalFalconFan 665]

48 minutes ago, Tim Mazetti said:

Julio Jones skips start of voluntary OTAs amid contract negotiations

5 comments

The league’s best wide receiver sat out voluntary OTAs and the start of minicamp last season before he was given a pay bump.

By Matthew Chambers May 20, 2019, 4:02pm EDT

 

Players started reporting Monday for the start of organized team activities and there is one notable missing player. Actually, there are probably multiple notable missing players as OTAs are voluntary and veterans tend to prepare away from team HQ. OTAs are primarily workouts that are regulated and limited by the CBA. It helps some players get back into the groove, but it is possible some stay away to prepare more than allowed at OTAs.

The notable player, for the second year in a row, is Julio Jones. Per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jones did not report to Flowery Branch on Monday. Also of interest is Ledbetter noting that Jones was “promised” a new deal this offseason.

First, Jones skipped at least some OTAs in 2018 and 2017, and he was still consistently dominant on a week-to-week basis. Jones eventually missed out on a few days of mandatory minicamp last offseason, but was never out of shape or otherwise struggled with his playbook. In fact, it is common for veteran, Pro Bowl-quality players to consistently skip OTAs and workout elsewhere.

Second, we have heard the team informed Julio they planned to get an extension done this offseason, but “promised” is a strong word . Still, it is becoming frustrating to see the Falcons express optimism about contract extensions that continue to linger.

Grady Jarrett should have been extended before free agency, if not last season. The Falcons have been confident a deal will be worked out, and two months ago a bad rumor suggested the team was “closing in” on a deal that has still yet to materialize.

For whatever reason, we have another offseason of contract extensions dragging far longer than they should. It is still early enough but Julio’s absence suggests they are not “closing in” on a deal. The Falcons may have again hurt themselves by allowing another market-setting deal go through when Antonio Brown netted nearly $30 million guaranteed across three years, with a total of potential cash just above $50 million.

Odds are a deal gets worked out and this situation is quickly forgotten. At the same time, an unnecessary holdout could create a giant headache for the mostly new coaching staff needing to get this team to the playoffs.

1. There is no limit to the efforts the media will go to fabricate drama; in essence, creating their own BS material to cover. At one point Chambers admits that voluntary OTAs are commonly skipped by Pro Bowl level veterans to work out beyond what the CBA-overseen OTAs will allow, and then he closes by imagining the headache a holdout would cause for the team. SMH. 

2. Any of you fans who are worried about Julio’s heart or commitment to this team, or who don’t understand the benefit the team could plausibly reap by Julio skipping voluntary OTAs baffle the mind. He’s proven his heart... proven his commitment to the Falcons. And voluntary workouts in Flowery Branch limit his All Pro preparedness and conditioning. 

3. Dude is gonna get paid. So what that it’s taking a while to get it done. Kudos to the Falcons for taking their time with this considering such delicate and intricate salary cap management will be required by them over the next few seasons to keep the talent we have acquired. 

[BoomGoesTheDynamite 5,388]

Couldn't give a crap about JJ going to OTA's. I just want to see how TBJ looks considering he got a contract the first day of ROOKIE MINI-CAMP.

Also want see how Sheffield, Ollison and Miller look

Edited May 20 by BoomGoesTheDynamite

[hjerry 22,579]

1 hour ago, R_The_Great said:

there are plenty of up and coming rookies that will take your spot.

because Julio mother ******* Jones can just be found in every freaking draft

[hjerry 22,579]

49 minutes ago, athell said:

"Plenty of up and coming rookies" ready to unseat Julio Jones y'all...we good...

Quinn and TD ******* draft wizards *****!