Sanu looks to make big statement with new team

The Atlanta Falcons were set on the field with their presumable first-team squad. Matt Ryan was under center, wide left was Julio Jones, and wide right was Mohamed Sanu, the new face in the wideouts.

Sanu didn’t look out of place.

Making one-handed catches, securing the ball on the sideline and showcasing his speed, Sanu was ready to play.

The Falcons are facing some wide receiver issues with depth. With Sanu’s addition as a free agent from the Cincinnati Bengals, he’s most likely the candidate for the No. 2 spot, behind Jones.

Being paired with a superstar is familiar territory to him.

Sanu teamed with A.J. Green in his three years in Cincinnati. That role will stay the same in Atlanta, and he doesn’t plan on letting his ego get the better of him, trying to battle Jones for the top spot.

“I’m gonna embrace my role and take the most I can from it,” Sanu said. “When I know it’s my time, I’m gonna take advantage of it.

“When it’s Julio’s time, I’m gonna make sure I’m around to set a block or do my job to make sure he gets open.”

During his three-year stint with the Bengals, Sanu was an asset. He is just shy of 1,800 yards in his career with 11 touchdowns. He was also used as a wildcat quarterback from time-to-time.

One thing he wants to add to the Falcons is the athletic ability that made him a marquee second option with the Bengals. The Falcons might utilize him like Cincinnati did to show how much of a threat he can be.

Despite leaving an organization with which he wasn’t getting as many touches, he is determined to fill in the major gap the Falcons have in the wide receiver corps, and he’s already fitting in with his new teammates.

“We have that thing where we are working for each other; we are working for our brother,” Sanu said. “The tightness within the group is going to push us over that.”

Sanu isn’t worrying too much about the fact that he’s still in a secondary wide receiver role. He is just going to go out and play his game. He is excited to be with a new team and new atmosphere and really likes the competitive spirit amongst the players.

If the ball doesn’t come to him, he will do everything he can to help his team and not be selfish.

“I didn’t get the ball that much,” Sanu said of last season. “I didn’t get that many targets. I can’t throw the ball to myself.”

Then again, he did play quarterback in college, so it’s not too farfetched.

“I could, but right now I play receiver,” Sanu joked.

This story was originally published July 28, 2016 at 5:31 PM with the headline "Sanu looks to make big statement with new team."