The Detroit Lions are returning all three of their starting wideouts under second year offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, and one of them is excited about the prospects of the team's offensive attack in 2020.
Marvin Jones Jr. is looking to build on last year's campaign that saw him and Kenny Golladay combine for an NFL-leading 20 touchdowns for an offensive duo.
“We’re definitely excited,” Jones said on a Zoom conference Thursday. “It’s going to be big, because—as you mentioned—the people that we have. You look to the left, you look to the right and we have ballers.
“That’s something that’s very exciting. Obviously, this is our second year in (offensive coordinator Darrell) Bevell’s offense, which we love. So excitement is definitely up.”
Jones is also excited about the prospect of playing with 5th round draft selection Quintez Cephus, whom he was able to work out with during the offseason.
“We got acquainted this offseason,” Jones said of Cephus. “He came up to the BZN training facility (Jones’ training area set up at his home in San Diego) and got some good work in. He definitely has the tools in terms of his strength, explosiveness. Dude could jump out the gym. It’ll be great to see him go once we start picking everything up.”
Of course, Jones had the benefit of learning from veteran players when he first broke into the NFL five years ago, and now he's paying it forward by doing the same.
“That’s what we do,” Jones continued about helping younger players. “I think when you’ve been in the league for this long—and the type of people that we are—it’s always (important) to help, because if you help somebody, that’s just going to make the team better.”
All three of Detroit's starting wideouts had at least 60 catches for 675 yards in 2019; will they be able to repeat their performance in 2020?
Meanwhile, Jones also took the time to thank everyone who had been passing along well wishes following the tragic death of his 6-month old son Marlo last December.
“It was an experience that I very much appreciated from the standpoint from the Lions showing love and stuff like that and the fans and the teammates,” Jones said. “It was just a powerful moment that I think was good for us and good for my family. That's pretty much all I'll say about that.
“My son is in a better place, so that makes me happy.”
Jones realized that he's not the only one dealing with such a tragedy, and leaning on the stories and advice from those who have experienced a similar untimely passing helped the healing process.
“There's a lot of stories of people, stuff like that has happened to them, losing a family member,” Jones said. “Obviously, that's the first time it happened to me on a level of that magnitude. Just hearing a lot of other people, hearing their voices and their experiences, stuff like that.
– – Quotes via Eric Schlitt of LionsWire Link – –
– – Quotes via Michael Rothstein of ESPN Link – –
