Ryan Tannehill building rapport with new receiver Julio Jones

Coming off the best season of his NFL career, quarterback Ryan Tannehill is giddy about new target Julio Jones. The Atlanta Falcons traded the seven-time Pro Bowl receiver to Tennessee this offseason for second and fourth-round picks.

Jones has spent 10 seasons in the NFL, all with the Falcons. Tannehill told Titans reporter Tim Wyatt he studied film of his new pass catcher to get a better idea of how he plays.

“I got a cutup of all his catches in the last two years down in Atlanta,” Tannehill said. “(I) was able to watch that cutup and just try to see what he did. Obviously, it will be a little bit different in our offense, but just kind of see what he had success doing and the type of plays he was making. It was fun. It was fun for me to be able to see that tape and see the plays he was making.”

Jones joins a Titans receiver corps that already has one 1,000-yard receiver in A.J. Brown. Jones played in just nine games as he battled injuries throughout last season, finishing with 51 catches for 771 yards and three touchdowns.

The Titans finished last year 11-5, their best record since 2008. Unfortunately, they lost in the Wild Card game against the Baltimore Ravens. Tannehill wants to come back stronger this season, and has been doing everything he can to build rapport with Jones.

“We are in constant communication on what I am expecting, what I am seeing from in the pocket,” Tannehill said. “How I am expecting him to come out of certain routes, and the adjustments to make. And now that we have been able to get on the field a few times, (I’m) getting his body language down, and his speed.

“It’s been good. I feel like we had a really good day together on Monday, and we continued to build on that (Wednesday).”

Tannehill was already aware of Jones’ talent, but after studying his play more thoroughly, he is even more in awe.

“As I studied him on tape, he transitions better than I thought a big guy of his stature and speed would transition,” Tannehill said. “Some of the routes he ran in Atlanta the last few years, the cutups that I watched, it’s pretty incredible to see the transition with his size and speed.

“I am excited to get to work with him this year.”

Tennessee opens the season against the Arizona Cardinals. Look for Ryan Tannehill to try to establish a connection with Julio Jones early.