NASHVILLE – Titans fans have waited.
And so, too, have A.J. Brown and Julio Jones.
The much-anticipated pairing of wideouts is now just two days away, as the Titans will face the Arizona Cardinals in the regular season opener on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
On Friday, when speaking to reporters after practice, both players said they're fired up about it themselves.
They plan to push each other to be great.
"I am pretty sure he is going to show up, and he is going to do his thing – his resume speaks loud enough for itself," Brown said of Jones.
"For me personally, if he makes a big play, I'm definitely going to try and make a big play. I am going to try and lead off of him, and use the momentum from each other and build, and just keep going. I know what type of player he is on the other side, and I have to do my part."
After being traded from the Falcons to the Titans this offseason, Jones is also ready to make his Titans debut, alongside Brown.
Brown spent part of his offseason campaigning for Jones, Atlanta's all-time career leader in receptions (848), receiving yards (12,896) and 100-yard receiving games (58), and his 60 touchdown receptions rank second.
Jones wants to deliver in Tennessee.
"It is a new year," said Jones, a seven-time Pro Bowler. "Every year is a new year. If I was on the same team, I feel like every year is a new year and I have to prove myself, year in and year out, day in and day out – that is the mentality that I have.
"I am going to go out there and go full speed, do what I do, see what I see, and just play football. I have been doing it for a decade. I don't think there's going to be a hat trick out there. I am just going to go out there and do what I do."
Brown and Jones have become fast friends in Tennessee.
They spend time together on and off the field, talking football, and more.
Brown mentioned checkers and dominoes among things they like to do together.
After Jones talked about his love for fishing, which brings him peace, Brown admitted they don't have that in common.
"I don't do any fishing," Brown said with a smile. "It's too slow for me… I don't have patience. He's 32, I'm 24."
Brown, a Pro Bowler in 2020 after his second straight 1,000-yard season, wants to take his game to another level in 2021.
He'll aim to do it alongside one of the best to play the game.
On Sunday, Jones needs two catches to become the 2nd fastest player in NFL history to reach 850 career receptions (135 games), surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison (140 games) and receiver Andre Johnson (142 games). Only Antonio Brown (133 games) achieved the feat faster.
Both players on Friday said they feel good, and ready to go.
"I want to be a complete receiver," Brown said. "What I did in the past, it doesn't matter. It's irrelevant. I just want to make plays and be there when my team needs me.
"The vibe is a lot of guys have a lot of confidence. I know we have some real respected players, but we have to go out there and play. The vibe is we are preparing to win, and we expect to win."
