Marvin Jones Jr. is looking at the present – not the past, and not anything much further in the future than the workout he's doing on a given day.
After vowing to improve his performance over his first season with the Detroit Lions, Jones did just that last year.
Jones undertook a stringent offseason workout program that included training with Randy Moss, one of the most dominant wide receivers in NFL history and a first-ballot inductee in August into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The payoff for Jones was that he rose in the statistical ranks of the wide receivers and was one of the most dangerous deep threats in the league.
Jones isn't looking ahead to what he might accomplish this season. He's doing his work in the Lions' offseason program. The stats will take care of themselves.
"I'm doing the same thing," Jones replied when asked if he envisions continuing his upward trend. "I'm going out there and just working. Working hard.
"That's what I've done all my years. This year is going to be no different – go out there and be the best me every day."
The Lions had a potent receiving trio last year, with two veterans – Golden Tate and Jones – leading the way, and rookie Kenny Golladay adding a big-play dimension with the potential to be a special player.
With those three returning, plus TJ Jones back as the fourth receiver, the focus of the draft was upgrading the running game and the interior of the offensive line. The first two picks were center Frank Ragnow of Arkansas, to compete for a starting job on the interior, and Kerryon Johnson of Auburn to join the committee of running backs.
"You run the ball, you pass the ball," Jones said when asked about the impact of an improved running game. "We make additions every year. New guys come in every year and help the football team."
The Lions have been a passing team, with a premier quarterback in Matthew Stafford spreading the ball to his receivers.
Last year, the two old hands – Tate and Marvin Jones – and Golladay all ranked high in individual categories, as follows:
Marvin Jones: Catching 61 passes in 16 games was not a huge jump over 55 catches in 15 games in 2016.
But Jones was tied for fourth in touchdown catches with nine, compared to four in 2016, and he was ninth in receiving yards with 1,101, compared to 930 in 2016.
Jones' average of 18 yards per catch was the highest of any receiver with at least 40 catches.
Golden Tate: He was seventh in the league with 92 catches, 14th with 1,003 receiving yards and first among wide receivers with 639 yards after the catch. He became the first receiver in franchise history to have four straight seasons with 90 or more receptions.
Kenny Golladay: In 11 games, the third-round draft pick had 28 catches for 477 yards and three TDs. Among rookies with at least 25 catches he was second with an average of 17 yards per catch.
