TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ new Wide Receiver Julio Jones says it just feels right to be with a team that used to be his rival.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to be part of something special in the Buccaneer family,” Jones said. “Everybody has been welcoming here and that’s what you want in a ballclub.”
Tight End Kyle Rudolph, acquired by the Bucs 2 days before training camp, can’t believe it’s worked out that he’s a Buccaneer.
“The only thing I haven’t done to this point is win a championship,” Rudolph said. “That’s all I want to do. It’s been very evident the first two days here, that is the ultimate goal.
Both met the media after day 1 of training camp and both feel at this point in their career, it’s all about chasing a Super Bowl ring.
Jones is a 7 time Pro Bowler, but has suffered through injuries his last season in Atlanta and last year in Tennessee. Jones doesn’t think he has anything to prove to anyone and just wants to win.
“It’s not a money play – it’s none of that,” Jones said. The Buccaneers organization is just giving me the opportunity to come here and showcase my skills. They have everything they need already, right? But we’ve got to put in the work each and every day. Nothing is given to you.”
Jones will be behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and possibly newly acquired Russell Gage at wide receiver and he’s ok with that.
Rudolph is in his 12th year and will be used to help fill some of the void left by retired TE Rob Gronkowski.
“Those (Gronk’s) shoes are way too big to fill and I’ve got pretty big feet,” Rudolph said. “I don’t have 10 years of experience with Tom (Brady) to make it up. We play the Dallas Cowboys Week One in September. My goal is to go out there that week and be on the same page with Tom like we’ve been playing together for 10 years.”
Both Jones and Rudolph will have plenty of time to work with Brady. With their experience, they know the game it’s just getting used to the Bucs terminology and where Brady wants them to be on the field.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles said everyone on the roster is accounted for meaning no injuries and holdouts. Bowles and the coaching staff want to ease both Jones and Rudolph into their offensive system.
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