Julio Jones hosted the Falcons’ wide receivers on a bowling night out Monday.
The group, including Jones and his understudy Calvin Ridley, went to unwind, get their minds off of the team’s 1-4 start and bond as a group away from the team’s facilities.
“I just took him out bowling the other day,” Jones said. “He didn’t tell you we went Monday. That little joker. We went to Midtown Bowl, and we went and hung out for a little bit.”
Jones, who rules the pingpong tables in the locker room, said he bowled 171 and had the high score of the group.
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The relationship between the two former Alabama receivers started with training sessions in Tuscaloosa and now has progressed to playing football together in the NFL and bowling on Monday nights.
“He came back to visit when I was younger,” Ridley said. “That was a couple of years ago. It really grew when we started training together. He started teaching me things, and I was able to learn more. That’s when I really (blossomed) as a player. That’s when I really got close to him.”
Jones returned this offseason and worked out with Ridley before the draft.
“He was like, I’d love to come to Atlanta,” Jones said. “Then, boom! He’s here. Everything worked out.”
The Falcons selected Ridley with the 26th pick in the draft this year. He was the second wide receiver taken in the first round, two picks behind Maryland's D.J. Moore, who went to Carolina.
“Then when I got here, we really got close,” Ridley said. “I thought it was pretty crazy and we were talking. He was telling me how things go pretty much here. It was crazy that I got drafted here. I didn’t really hear anything from the Falcons.”
Jones didn’t know he was indirectly helping the Falcons by working out with Ridley.
“I’ve seen him and have been around him,” Jones said. “This year when I went down there, I was helping him focus on catching and running through the ball and things like that.”
Ridley has about 19 passes for 302 yards and six touchdowns.
“It’s going pretty good,” Ridley said. “I’m getting myself in there and getting real, real comfortable. I’m seeing stuff that I see on film. I just have to keep going and stay consistent.”
Ridley values his relationship with Jones.
“It’s really cool being with these guys and especially with him,” Ridley said.
Building on the good start to his rookie season will be key for Ridley.
“Just keep winning in my mind,” Ridley said. “Just go there to win and play hard for the team. Everything should work out and I’ll stay consistent.”
It hasn’t all been perfect for Ridley, who ran the wrong route against Pittsburgh and caused an incomplete pass.
“That was on me,” Ridley said. “I read it wrong. I was supposed to stay high. I was supposed to be exactly where Matt (Ryan) threw it. I just read it wrong.
“Just a mistake on me, I’ll get it right.”
Jones helped him through that situation.
“He’s going to have some hiccups and things like that,” Jones said. “He is a younger player. But you’ve got to let the young player play.”
The Falcons have noticed the bond that Ridley and Jones have developed. Jones is doing for Ridley, what former Falcons wide receiver Roddy White did for Jones when he entered the league in 2011.
“It’s cool to see Julio on the other side of it,” Ryan said. “I’ve been a part of him being the little brother side kind of deal with Roddy. Now, to see him as kind of the Big Brother and mentor, I think he’s approached it similar to how Roddy did with Julio, too.”
Ryan said Jones has been incredibly patient and selfless with Ridley.
“It’s been cool to see,” Ryan said. “They get along really well, and they are both are just dynamic players.”
Jones is trying to clear Ridley’s path to NFL stardom, much like White did for him.
“The thing is that everybody wants, especially as a young guy and you’re very talented, a lot of people will get in your way,” Jones said. “You want to make everybody happy as a young guy. For me, Roddy was my guy. He drew the interference from everybody else for me to try to make everybody right.”
With White eliminating the distractions for Jones, he thought played faster early in his career.
“So me, I’m trying to block Calvin’s distractions,” Jones said. “I want him to go out and play well. Everybody doesn’t need to talk to Calvin. He has it all. He just has to play.”
Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian coached Ridley at Alabama for a season and has watched his relationship with Jones blossom.
“What a cool opportunity for both guys,” Sarkisian said. “For Julio to really assume a leadership role that way and for Calvin to say, here’s the best in the business and he’s willing to take me under his wing, not only on the field, but off the field and in life.”
Jones doesn’t mind showing Ridley the ropes.
“I’ve talked at length about the type of person Julio is, the work ethic he brings, the professionalism that he brings,” Sarkisian said. “I don’t think Calvin can get a better mentor. I think it’s a great opportunity for both of them and obviously, we are fortunate enough to have both of them.”
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