A Very Falcoholic Discussion: The Running Back Depth Chart
by Dave the Falconer on May 1, 2009 12:52 PM EDT
in Editorial
54 comments
One of the most stacked positions on the Falcons' roster in 2009 could be one of the most hotly contested this off-season.
The Falcons know they've got a bruising, yardage-devouring motion machine in Michael Turner. The Burner is the number one guy in Atlanta, period, so this conversation shouldn't include him unless you're adding the words "is awesome" or "runs so hard the universe dents after every step." He's not part of any competition.
The rest of the depth chart is wide open at this point. Jerious Norwood should be our number two, change-of-pace back like he always is, but he's not assured that he'll get any more than 100 carries because the coaching staff likes to use him like a home run hitter. There's no way Turner should hit 400 carries again this year, so someone's going to have to pick up that slack.
That leaves power back Jason Snelling, All-Around Thomas Brown and new signing Verron Haynes to battle it out for one or two spots and table scraps of carries. Our topic of discussion today revolves around who will make the final roster and what their likely role will be with the Falcons.
Don't be shy.
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Michael Turner
is awesome.
Thomas Brown makes the team as a kick\punt returner and 3rd down back. Id like to see Snelling on the team as ST and resident bruiser, but I think its a long shot. IMO TB was gonna make the team last year as a return man but the injury killed his chances.
" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln
by tapate50 on May 1, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I vote for
our fearless leader because he’s a zombie robot, and that’s just plain awesome.
In Dimitroff we trust
by Bonhoffer on May 1, 2009 2:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I can actually see Verron Haynes making it
the guy has hands. Catches for almost more yards than he runs for.
I think he would add an extra element to our RB corps.
by MentallyMIA on May 1, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I may be totally off base with this
But I think Brown could catch a few passes, too. Seems to me as though he’s got the versatility to stick around.
by Dave the Falconer on May 1, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
and I’d definitely like to see Brown on our depth chart as a kick returner.
I just haven’t looked at his pass catching abilities yet.
by MentallyMIA on May 1, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
About 40 receptions in four years of college
Nothing startling, but he can catch a bit.
by Dave the Falconer on May 1, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
how well did Turner catch in college?
because I sweat bullets when I see an airborne ball headed his way
by MentallyMIA on May 1, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In 2003
He had 230 yards receiving. I can dig a bit more and find more, but it doesn’t look like he was a total slouch.
by Dave the Falconer on May 1, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Thomas Brown
as a PR/KR specialist, but I would like to see more of Snelling. I think that Snelling is a beast and could really do some damage if given a chance. With turner in the backfield though and Norwood as the 3rd down/relief back It doesnt seem very likely. I think Snelling could be a starter for some teams.
Life is a garden. Dig it!
by Hardcore Falcon on May 1, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think he could at least be a quality backup
Teams like the Lions or the Bengals would probably have interest if he didn’t make the team. I think Snelling is an underrated back, but Brown is much more versatile, and on this Falcons team that’ll probably be more than enough.
by Dave the Falconer on May 1, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brains... Oil...
Sorry, slipped into zombie robot mode there for a sec.
Life is a garden. Dig it!
by Hardcore Falcon on May 1, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why have just one?
Try new Brainzoil!
by Dave the Falconer on May 1, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow...
and when the zombie robot thing just goes a little too far.
but, as long as we are on the subject. Where can I get this brainzoil? It is quite tedeous deciding on which I want more all the time, brains or oil.
by MentallyMIA on May 1, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's the appeal, my friend
It’s been kinda quiet around here the last few days, so I’m not surprised the in jokes are flying.
by Dave the Falconer on May 1, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Snelling could be a starter for some teams.
Anything is possible … ask Samkon Gado (sp?)
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on May 1, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lol!!!
I agree, but still think it is funny as hell.
Life is a garden. Dig it!
by Hardcore Falcon on May 1, 2009 3:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I say keep all five on the roster
I know that sounds a little odd, but we are a power-running team and I don’t think we can have enough quality running backs should Turner or Norwood go down for a game or two.
Just have Brown and Haynes battle it out to be our 3rd down back and have Snelling practice as a back-up fullback/short yardage guy. If any injuries should occur to our starters, we’d have all three to make up the difference.
by Leon07 on May 1, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
FACTS
Snelling:
(1) He played well during the pre-season, but he wasn’t playing against elite NFL talent (i.e., “first team” players).
(2) In ‘08 (during the season), he only “impressed” during one game (Oakland). He ran for 47 yards against the second-worst run defense in the league.
(3) He is fairly slow (ran a 4.79 40 at the combine) …
(4) He can only run north/south, as he lacks the speed to “turn the corner” and his cuts aren’t going to fool anyone at the NFL level.
(5) He has value as a short-yardage runner, and his pass-catching skills provide added value.
(6) He blocked well in college (played FB at Virginia) …
Brown:
(1) He’s small (5’9/barely 200 lbs) … and he isn’t known for his durability.
(2) He was one illegal horse-collar tackle away from winning the 3rd running back job last fall.
(3) He is quick, he can recognize cutback opportunities, he has good lateral agility, and he has soft hands.
(4) He was an above-average pass blocker in college.
(5) His PR/KR skills provide added value.
Haynes:
(1) In RB years, he is a senior citizen.
(2) He can provide veteran leadership.
(3) He hasn’t played football since 2007.
(4) He’s a reliable third-down back.
Based on all that, I give the nod to T Brown. But, to be fair, it doesn’t seem like any of the three has the job won. I like what Leon07 suggested, and if it is at all possible, it’d be nice to see the Birds keep 2/3.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on May 1, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Preferably...
We keep Brown AND Snelling, because I see Snelling as usable on Special Teams and as a backup FB, and Thomas Brown the team’s primary punt returner.
Haynes can go cash his NFL RB Social Security check, for all I care. (Sorry, when you work at a bank, it’s hard not to make money jokes).
by BigManChili on May 1, 2009 6:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i assume
there is no reason at least one of these backs won’t or can’t be on the practice squad? If so there is no need of all of them on the sidelines each week.
by Funballad on May 1, 2009 9:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I doubt Haynes would (given his age/experience) ...
and while Brown and Snelling probably would accept practice squad spots, I think there’s some value in having them both on the sideline.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on May 1, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fun Fact:
Burner scored a 35 on the Wonderlic. The league-average for RBs is 17.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on May 1, 2009 10:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Furthermore ...
when the test was given to miscellaneous people of various professions, the average chemist scored a 31.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on May 1, 2009 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and for some more perspective:
Vick (20)
Little Vick (14)
Harvin (12)
Stafford (38)
Elway (30)
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on May 1, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
woah
stafford did really good. Our own Matty Ice only got a 32
by MentallyMIA on May 1, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually
It was an 82. He did so well that he went 32 points over the scale.
by Dave the Falconer on May 1, 2009 11:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ooooooooooh
thanks for the clarification.
I was looking at practice wonderlic tests and was wondering…
what does math and vocabulary comprehension have anything to do with football?
by MentallyMIA on May 2, 2009 3:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Admittedly not much...
But, supposedly, the test is constructed and administered in such a way that it really is testing the player’s ability to process and compute information rapidly and accurately.
Full disclosure, I haven’t looked at a copy of the Wonderlic in years. This is just what I remember from the whole Vince Young Wonderlic saga.
by BigManChili on May 3, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Warrior
Jason Snelling is a warrior. I watched him at UVA. He will do whatever he needs to do and he’s one hellofa good guy.
by jimwarren on May 2, 2009 8:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to the site!
Snelling has always been a guy I’ve rooted for, because I do think he’s a very capable back. Ideally the team would carry both he and Brown, but I do think Brown offers more on special teams.
by Dave the Falconer on May 2, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
earth wind and fire
so who is who?!?! earth = turner. wind = norwood, fire = ?!? i like having all those backs i think brown will be a good kick returner
by atf30605 on May 2, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I really would like to see
Fire as being our running back that has the best hands.
Turner dropped a few passes last season, Norwood seems pretty dependable to pass to in the backfield, but imagine a back that can sneak out of the backfield and you know that when the ball is headed his way, he’ll catch it. I wouldn’t mind seeing 4 RBs on our depth chart if we wanted to use Brown strictly as a return man and Snelling as our catching RB. The guy is 5’11" and last year had more receiving yards than rushing (62yds rushing on 15 carries, 89yds receiving on 8 receptions) and he’s tall enough to be a big target.
by MentallyMIA on May 2, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
a great video of what Snelling can do as a pass catcher
is on his player page on nfl.com
by MentallyMIA on May 2, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BigManChili's Chalkboard
In that play, we had Mughelli at FB, Norwood at RB, and Snelling flexed to the strongside in an H-back position (the midpoint between the TE and FB, and even with Mughelli).
I think H-back may be the best way to utilize him, and (ironically) Mularkey’s offenses usually feature dual TE looks OR fullback and H-back, along with the running back and two wide receivers. Coming into last season, Mularkey admitted that we’d probably use more FB-TE packages that FB-HB due to the (at the time) need to protect the offensive line. I think that this season we would have seen a lot more of that H-back position used if not for the Tony Gonzalez pickup, but now that we have that receiving/blocking threat at TE, we might not need it as much as we thought.
The ideal goal line formation for us won’t be the typical 3TE/FB/RB, but 2TE (Gonzalez and Hartsock)/H-back/FB/RB.
by BigManChili on May 3, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow
I like your chalkboard, you should whip it out more often. Very insightful.
I had to rewatch that video like 6 times to put all the pieces together that you described… I’m not sure if I would have ever figured that out on my own. Thank you.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
by MentallyMIA on May 3, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks
You’re quite welcome. I learned to break down game film in high school, and I’m glad I finally have a place to put that work to use. If anyone else ever has any questions, I’ll be glad to answer to the best of my knowledge.
by BigManChili on May 3, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've said it in previous posts...
and I’ll say it again. Snelling is a beast. I’m sure T. Brown is good too, but we haven’t had a chance to see him do too much on the field. At least we have seen some of what Snelling can do. I think they can both play a role.
by TomQ on May 3, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On any other team
Verron Haynes would be a quality # 2. Especially for a team like Cleveland that can use a second back to help out Quinn or Anderson or both. However since he’s with the Falcons I don’t seem him making the cut. Keeping 5 RB’s when we’re are only allowed 45 players is too much. Snelling has the number 3 position locked because Brown went down early in his career.
by SquallCloud on May 2, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I really think
he was brought in to make these guys realize that they aren’t “locks” at their positions and to motivate them to perform. I don’t see him in our lineup, but I do like the aquisition if for nothing more than competitiveness amongst our RB corps.
by MentallyMIA on May 2, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree ...
Snelling has the number 3 position locked because Brown went down early in his career.
Yes … Brown went down, but did you see the illegal horse-collar tackle that put him on IR? It wasn’t a durability thing, even Burner would have been injured on that play. Moreover, Brown is fine now by all accounts.
So how can you write him off entirely (especially since he had pretty much won the 3rd running back job before going on IR)? Brown is more versatile, he pass blocks better, he’s A LOT faster, he cuts MUCH better, and his hands are as good if not better than Snelling’s. I don’t think anyone has one the job yet, but effectively handing the job to Snelling is somewhat short-sighed IMO.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on May 2, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
has one = has won
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on May 2, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
short-sighed = short-sighted
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on May 2, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so angry you forgot to spell check?
and to fuel your anger you reread what you posted 3 or 4 times… either that or you were just plain proud of yourself.
Those were some damn good points though, and I agree completely.
by MentallyMIA on May 2, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know me so well ...
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on May 2, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
durable brown
im going on memory here so take that as it is but i only remember brown hurt once in college. he was also considered to be the strongest person on the team for his size. if i remember right. please correct me if im wrong just trying to remember if he wasnt ever durable. i like having all three backs like NY rode all the way to the super bowl. (course they did have a dom. def. too). and for being small lets not forget dunn was smaller….
by atf30605 on May 2, 2009 4:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
if you want to compare dunn and brown
Dunn is 5’9 187lbs
Brown is 5’8 200lbs
I like the idea of using him as a return man… I just don’t see him making a significant impact in our running game. Not more so than Snelling can with his receiving ability at 5’11 229lbs.
by MentallyMIA on May 2, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
dunn is still smaller
lol he is still smaller and noone thought he would do what he did for as long as he did thats all im saying.
by atf30605 on May 2, 2009 7:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I like Brown and Snelling
And I think with the versatility of the offense, both should be carried. Snelling can be used as a hybrid FB/HB and Brown can contribute on special teams as a returner.
by Dave the Falconer on May 4, 2009 12:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh great...
Here come the Bullpuke fans littering the voting with Thomas Brown. Snelling knows the system. All around back not coming off an injury. Brown will do what? Kickoffs?(Norwood) Punt return?(Douglas)
Let it go Dawg fans…
"If I disagree with you, it's because you are wrong..."
by Tybeaux on May 6, 2009 5:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
3 backs
i dont think it has anything to do with being a UGA fan or not. brown would be better out of the backfield. but i think brown would fill a hole on special teams for the falcons. and turner norwood and haynes would dominate our running game. snelling would be a better FB.
by atf30605 on May 6, 2009 9:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No, really, let it go...
Snelling is a special teams beast and a proven blocker and proven pass catcher in the NFL. Brown went to UGA … and that’s about all he offers.
As stated previously, Norwood will return kickoffs and be primary pass-catcher out of backfield. Douglas will return punts.
And wouldn’t Brown, who hasn’t even shown the ability to block on passing downs, have to replace Snelling to even make the roster. THE FALCONS JUST SIGNED SNELLING TO A NEW CONTRACT.
by Falco Chicquera on May 7, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Serious?
Haynes? Did’nt he go to UGA also? Snelling has shown when given the opportunity, he can run, block, and catch out the backfield. He is also a special teams beast.
Brown, Haynes? Practice squad or bust…
"If I disagree with you, it's because you are wrong..."
by Tybeaux on May 7, 2009 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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