National Football League

Jones won't use no-calls to make a statement

Published Oct. 27, 2016 7:37 p.m. ET

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ATLANTA (AP) Julio Jones knows his Falcons teammates are watching to see how he responds in every situation on the field.

That's one reason that Jones, arguably the NFL's best wide receiver, is careful to measure his emotions carefully. He doesn't over-celebrate. He doesn't pout.

So that's why Jones is trying not to get caught up in a blame game when opponents aren't flagged for what appears to be obvious pass interference.

A no-call two weeks ago at Seattle and one last week at home against San Diego each came late in the game and cost the Falcons a chance to win.

Jones made a point of not getting outraged. He wants to set a good example for his teammates.

''I don't want to have a foul after the play for going after the referee or doing something else - just to show them the way to handle things,'' he said Thursday. ''When things don't go your way and you think they should, there's always a positive way to handle things.

''It's so easy to handle it negatively, but I just handle it in a positive way and everything else will be ok.''

He doesn't know if Green Bay's depleted secondary will follow suit Sunday at the Georgia Dome. If Seattle's Richard Sherman can blatantly grab his right arm and San Diego's Steve Williams can hold down his left arm, Jones isn't sure if the less-experienced Packers will try something similar.

His hope is that game officials will call the game fair for both sides.

''The thing is I'm not out here playing around,'' Jones said. ''This is my job. I take it very, very seriously, you know? Not being able to do your job - I wouldn't say I was frustrated. I'm doing my job. I want you to do your job, in a sense, but it's over and done with.

''I don't harp on it. It's not like, `Oh, man, I can't get through today because I didn't get a pass interference call.' It's over and done with. It's on to the next one.''

The Packers are without top cornerbacks Sam Shields and Damarious Randall. Quentin Rollins could miss a third straight game with a groin injury.

So that leaves youngsters LaDarius Gunter and Demetri Goodson as outclassed in potential one-on-one matchups, but Jones believes Green Bay (4-2) can compensate against Atlanta (4-3) with strong play from safeties Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

''Their front seven is a problem,'' Jones said. ''They can get a lot of pressure. Those guys can kind of sit and guess at a lot of things, but they have two of the best safeties I think we're going to face this year.''

As is the case every week, Jones expects to see plenty of double-team coverage.

''When guys are taking me away, I'm looking at it as a positive that I'm taking two guys away on one play,'' he said. ''That allows my teammates to have one-on-one.''

Selected as an All-Pro for the first time last season after having the second-most single-season yards and catches in NFL history, Jones is just as tough to defend this year. He leads the league with 830 yards receiving, and 32 of his 40 catches have given the Falcons a first down.

''If his looks are there, he's going to make you pay,'' Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said. ''If he gets his opp - depending on where the coverage goes or where the route takes him - he's usually more than ready to capitalize on them.''

NOTES: Pro Bowl RB Devonta Freeman (hip) fully participated in practice after being limited Wednesday. That's good news for Atlanta, which likely won't have RB Tevin Coleman active this week. Coleman (hamstring) and DE Dwight Freeney (quadriceps) didn't practice for the second straight day. ... WR Taylor Gabriel (concussion) was back to full speed after missing last week's game.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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