Aug 1, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy (16) runs with the ball after a catch on the field during training camp at the Flowery Branch Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Hardy may have been spotted carrying Julio Jones' pads, as reported by Vaughn McClure of ESPN, but there's apparently no hazing going on.
Jones spoke about the whole "carrying of pads" soon after it happened, but it apparently really was no big deal.
"That's just what rookies got to do," Jones told ESPN. "I mean, it's no hazing. We don't do hazing here. It's all about just showing those guys how to be a great teammate. I'm over here doing other things and I wasn't able to grab my pads. So I was like, 'Hey Hardy, grab these.' And he's like, 'All right, cool.'"
Best of all, Jones even threw some praise in the direction of the rookie receiver from East Carolina.
"His work ethic, he comes to work," Jones said. "He's a young guy, so he's willing to learn. He didn't come in like he knew everything. He's taking coaching. He's listened to me and Roddy (White) and also (receivers coach) Terry Robiskie."
Hardy is in the mix to be either the No. 3 or No. 4 receiver for the Falcons in 2015. There's a strong reason to believe that he could be a playmaker for Atlanta right out of the gate, especially if he's as consistent as he was in college.
(h/t ESPN)
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