NFL teams
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Falcons' Matt Ryan anticipates Julio Jones' presence at July workouts

NFL, Atlanta Falcons

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who has downplayed the absence of five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones from both mandatory minicamp and voluntary workouts, said he plans to conduct July workouts involving Jones.

Ryan, who in recent years organized and paid for teammates to meet in South Florida for unscheduled practices, said he plans to hold similar sessions before training camp in late July. Ryan did not divulge the full details of the workouts.

"There's probably about 12 of us that are going to get together in the month of July, and he'll certainly be a part of that,'' Ryan said of Jones. "We'll have an extended period where we get some work together. You know, that's something that we've done in the past. The past couple of years, we were down in Miami.

"This year is a little bit later due to kind of my offseason, but we'll still have that chance to work together. And I think that will be really productive for us."

Ryan became a father of twins this offseason, and his revised home schedule led to pushing the "passing camp'' back to a later date.

Meanwhile, Jones has been away from the team while dealing with a contract issue. He is looking for a revised contract with three years and $35 million remaining. He faces a grand total of $84,425 in fines for missing the three-day minicamp.

Ryan said he is not concerned about getting Jones up to speed with the changes being made in Year 2 of offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian's offense.

"I don't think that will be difficult,'' Ryan said. "He's such an incredible player, such a talented player. And he's been working hard. He's in great shape. I think he'll pick those new things up really quickly. And he's got a lot of time on task with 95 percent of our system. So, he knows this system inside and out. He's always extremely well-prepared. And I'm confident and positive he'll be ready to go.''

Jones, who is looking for his fifth consecutive 1,400-plus-yard season, has been working out with NFL Hall of Fame receiver Terrell Owens.

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