Wide Receivers Coach Christian Jones (8.8.26)
We’ve talked a lot about KC’s (Concepcion) run after the catch, but it also seems like he’s making some acrobatic catches in this camp. What have you seen from him, and did you know that was such a strong part of his game?
“That’s a great question. He’s been doing a good job making it a habit to go up for it, and you can see that on the tape. He’s never been afraid to go get it. You watch him in college, he’s not afraid to go across the middle, not afraid to run deep and try to catch the ball, get underneath it or go up and attack it. His mindset from when he first got in was being aggressive, and you see that in how he plays, how he blocks, how he chases the ball and finishes. He’s been putting it on tape, multiple different ways, and it’s been showing. It’s been great.”
In general, how have those two guys done, Denzel (Boston) and KC (Concepcion), out here in their development through camp?
“They’ve been doing a good job. I would say what I’ve been most impressed with is they’ve taken on themselves to do well and they’re building their own process. It takes a lot for a rookie to build his process, how he’s going to learn, prepare, take care of his body, and what the process after off days are. I think that’s something they’ve really taken to heart is what can I do to get better each day. They’ve taken a step each day, and I think it’s been great.”
KC (Concepcion) said the other day that he asks you questions all the time. He will text you if he has questions. What has that process been like for you being able to talk with him through things he brings up, and see that initiative from a rookie?
“I love it. He learns really well, retains information really well. He used to play quarterback, so you can see that in how he plays and how he processes. He’s a very communicative player. He has no problem telling you when he doesn’t understand something or when he’s trying to get something. It’s the best thing when somebody’s open and honest. It makes my job a lot easier.”
With the two rookies we’ve got, there’s Denzel Ward and there’s Tyson Campbell, do you go out of your way to try to get them matched up with those guys at different times and try to get them ready for two different styles?
“Absolutely, any chance I get, and that’s for every receiver in the room. When I get the chance, I try to take it. I was telling the DBs yesterday that we’re blessed to have all the DBs in the room that we have. We’re blessed to have the chance to go against them. Denzel (Ward), Tyson (Campbell), D-Lo (D’Angelo Ross), there are so many other guys, Trey Avery, that we get the chance to work against because we have really good coaches. The DBs themselves want to develop and get better. That only makes us better. I tell them to take it as an opportunity, and any chance I get, I move them around so they can see what it’s like to go up against Pro Bowlers, All-Pros, high-level corners any chance I get.”
You guys thought highly of Denzel (Boston) to take him where you took him but have you been surprised at all by how smoothly this transition has been for him? Feels like when he showed up in May he’s making plays since then.
“Not at all. You see it in the way he plays, you can see it in the way he talks about things, you see it in the way he prepares. I’m not surprised at all. He’s got the mindset, and every day he shows up with that mindset. He wants the ball, he’s aggressive, and that’s what you want in a receiver. He plays hard no matter what. It’s been fun.”
How about the touchdown catch by Isaiah (Bond) to close out yesterday’s practice, and how has Isaiah been doing?
“He’s doing a really good job. I think it’s him growing into just going and getting the ball, being aggressive. He’s putting it on tape, he’s not afraid to go across the middle, he’s not afraid to go up and get that ball back of the end zone, high-stakes situation. He’s willing to go make that play and take it upon himself. It’s been great to see.”
In OTAs you talked about his versatility and that he wanted to showcase that more. How have you seen that continue to show up so far in camp?
“We’ve been trying to get him the ball a lot of different ways, whether it’s catch and run, get it to him early on a sweep or a handoff, or deep ball. I think he’s showing that he can be a playmaker at all three levels and that only going to benefit him. When a team can’t scout you we make it hard for them to say ‘Well, he’s just a deep guy or he’s just a short guy,’ it makes our jobs easier. It makes his job easier.”
Beyond what he’s doing on the field, what are you seeing from Tylan (Wallace) in terms of his familiarity with the offense and being the most veteran in Todd Monken’s system and that wide receiver room?
“He sets the standard for blocking, sets the standard for knowing what to do. He’s somebody I can move around in every spot and know that I can trust that he’s going to do the right thing, and he sets that standard for everybody. He has that familiarity, he’s a pro, he has a process on how he does things and how he prepares. I think that’s something that helps the rookies know what to do and how to prepare, and I think a lot of our vets in our room do a good job with preparation and showing up ready to ask the right questions or ready to understand something that they may not be as familiar with. So, Ty’s been really helpful in the room.”
Isaiah (Bond) and Malachi (Corley) were maybe raw coming out of college. How do you see their development, particularly in their route running?
“They’ve been doing a good job. I think it’s always finding a little thing, and they do a good job in the summer they find their trainers, and the best thing I can do for them is communicate what they might be deficient in, or things you see early on in camp or when you’re watching film from their last year. So the best thing I can do is communicate it, and the best thing they can do is try to develop it and work on it. They’ve done a great job at it.”
You mentioned blocking, and that’s an important part for wide receivers. Where do you see especially the first and second-year players whether it’s insert blocking, crack blocking, those kinds of things. How have you seen their development of blocking since the start of offseason?
“Monk (HC Todd Monken) always says when you see little guys blocking down the field, it gets everybody hyped. That brings the whole offense together. I would say once the pads go on, you tend to find out what guys are made of. But they haven’t folded or backed down from any challenge you put them into. It’s been very impressive, it’s been fun. All of the receivers, they’ve done a good job.”
How about Jerry (Jeudy), as Jerry tries to rebound from a frustrating season last year, what are you seeing in Jerry right now?
“He just wants to be great. He shows up every day, wants to be great, knows what to do, knows what questions to ask, and he goes out there and plays hard every play. It’s the best thing we can do. The best thing he can do for himself, and it’s my job is to help him get there or help him spot things and work on those. He’s got the mindset and it’s all about going out there and doing it. He’s doing a good job so far.”
Gage (Larvadain) and Luke (Floriea) earned their roster spots during camp last year and they’ll be in their second year. What have you seen from those two in camp so far in a really packed receiver room?
“Gage and Luke have been very energetic. They’ve been making plays on the field, doing really well in the slot, and then I can move them outside and put them down to the field on third levels. I think it’s just those two knowing what to do and being able to move around. There’s a lot of trust with those two. They’ve been players I can rely on, and the group have been able to rely on them. We’re doing ACT today, our walkthrough and Gage and Luke are out there communicating with other players, helping them and I think it’s great.”
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