Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones believes he could become the first player ever to achieve a 2,000-yard receiving season after falling just short to hit the mark two years ago.
Jones' 2015 effort of 1,871 yards on 136 catches was enough for the second best ever total in NFL history. Former Detroit Lion Calvin Johnson fell just shy of reaching the 2000-yard mark in 2012. The great Johnson, who owns the record, achieved 1,964 yards on 122 catches five years ago.
"Can it be done? It's a possibility," Jones told ESPN. "It definitely can be done.
I mean, Calvin Johnson was close. He had, what, 1,900-something? So, he was right there. So, who knows."
Jones says it's about 'fun'
Jones is coming off a 1,409 yard on 83 catches season. However, the 28-year-old NFL superstar was sidelined by a toe injury in two games last season. He could have also been seen hobbling in the last two games of the regular season.
However, Jones claimed to ESPN he thinks it's "not about the yardage," but rather "fun." Jones, who led the Falcons to the Super Bowl alongside 2016 MVP quarterback Matt Ryan last year, would certainly to pull off a career-best year.
The Falcons are set to open their season in Windy City, having been scheduled to face the Chicago Bears in Week 1.
Four-time Pro Bowl pick, Jones, is healthy and ready to contribute to his team.
"They obviously want to see somebody do (2,000) because obviously, it's never been done," Jones added "And it's a lot of talk about it. Any guy of my caliber, you know, can potentially put up those numbers."
No restrictions for Bell
Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Ramon Foster is confident the team's star Le'Veon Bell won't be restricted in Sunday's opener in Ohio against the Cleveland Browns
Bell, 25, missed the entire training camp as he didn't want to risk any unnecessary injuries.
Previously, the running back and his team couldn't reach a long-term agreement before the July 17 franchise-tag deadline. However, Bell won't be sitting out the NFL regular season since he will be playing this campaign on a 12.12-million tender.
"I think he does. I’m excited. Hell, I want to see what he does this season. A lot is riding on him," Foster said of Bell, as quoted by ESPN.
Bell in a 'great shape'
Another Steelers lineman, David DeCastro, spoke even highly of Bell. The 27-year-old has shrugged off any fitness concerns regarding Bell, claiming the two-time Pro Bowl pick is in a "great shape."
"He came back in great shape," DeCastro commented Bell's comeback to the team, per ESPN. "I'm excited to get it going."
Bell ran for 1,268 yards on 261 attempts during the 2016 NFL season. In one of his best games of the season, Bell posted 146 yards on 28 attempts against the Browns in Week 11. Back then, the 25-year-old also scored a touchdown in his team's win over the Browns.
