A Storm Is Brewing, And The Falcons Have Thunder And Lightning
by Dave Choate on May 3, 2011 8:00 AM EDT
in NFL Draft
Email
PrintThe ideal rushing attack in today's NFL features a battering ram and an elusive scatback, a combination that gives teams a balanced set of backs to bludgeon opposing defenses with.
In an ideal world, the Falcons would already have that attack in place. In practice, however, Jerious Norwood has been underutilized or hurt for much of the last three seasons. That, in turn, has put an even heavier burden on workhorse Michael Turner.
In the 2011 NFL Draft, the Falcons got their new lightning in Jacquizz Rodgers. The question now becomes how they'll use him.
I thought it would be instructive to look at how the team used Norwood when he was healthy. When Mike Smith arrived on the scene in 2008, Norwood was able to play in all 16 games. Here's what he did:
2008: 95 carries, 489 yards, 5.1 average, 36 receptions, 338 receptions
That was far more successful than he'd be in 2009, when he got 76 carries through 10 games and piled up only 252 yards and 3.3 yards per carry. He also got 19 catches for 186 yards, providing some value as a pass catcher out of the backfield. In 2010, Norwood got hurt almost immediately and managed only two carries for eight yards.
So where does that leave Rodgers? These two are not identical. Norwood had better straight line speed and was taller, but Rodgers is the more durable, powerful back. Both are agile and capable of catching passes out of the backfield, but Rodgers is the new regime's pick and is thus more likely to get more opportunities.
The Falcons will use the man they call Jacquizz in a similar way to Norwood initially. He'll be asked to come in on clear passing downs and be a weapon out of the backfield, something that Turner with his stone hands and Snelling with his lack of top-end speed could not do. He'll get maybe five-to-ten carries a game as a change of pace back for Turner, with the potential to earn more if he's effective.
Rodgers is a fantastic fit for the team based on his ability, and for what he offers: A skill set similar to Norwood's, more durability and arguably even more upside than our former speed back. Let's hope it works out.
The thunder and lightning attack is back in Atlanta. Like it?
52 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
iThink
We may have found something very special w/this kid…a younger, better Darren Sproals perhaps, jus the kinda guy we’ve been lookin for in the backfield!
The Only Thing To Fear Is, Fear Its Self.......
by Dirtybyrdatl4life on May 3, 2011 8:07 AM EDT reply actions
I can't wait!
single coverage with White, while Julio can stretch the defense and having a speedy Rodgers out of the backfield makes me feel better on 3rd down conversions already!
Let's get this CBA resolved and play some ball!
Just a thought, so dint kill me
I wouldn’t mine trading Turner for a pick in next years draft and rolling with Snelling/Rodgers splitting carries, of course we would have to find our 3rd stringer in free agency
by FLA_Falcon on May 3, 2011 8:38 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
The problem with that is it defeats the purpose of building everything Atlanta has put in place up until now.
"In a dog eat dog world, you must have the mentality of a Pit Bull." -Phil Jackson
I don't think it does.
Snelling = slightly slower, less powerful Turner that can catch.
Rodgers is a dual threat and I think could handle being the #2 guy.
With a more experienced Ryan and more weapons around him I don’t think Turner is as important as he was the past few years.
by FLA_Falcon on May 3, 2011 8:52 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You’ll lose stability and versatility, I think you know this.
"In a dog eat dog world, you must have the mentality of a Pit Bull." -Phil Jackson
We may lose stability
I think we’d actually gain versatility.
Once again this is just an idea for a possibility. Not what I think we should/will do.
The offseason is getting to me…
by FLA_Falcon on May 3, 2011 9:13 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Nothing wrong with having a little fun.
"In a dog eat dog world, you must have the mentality of a Pit Bull." -Phil Jackson
I would agree
If we could get a 2nd rounder for Turner I would trade him. Who knows it could turn out to be the 33rd pick. His YPC was barely over 4 last season. I think we’ve pounded him way too much. It’s better to give up on a player a year too early than a year too late.
I can't agree with that approach
MT still has plenty of gas left if he’s used right.
Also, you can’t blame Turner for his YPC. That is a scheme issue.
It being a scheme issue is an opinion
Not fact. My opinion is is that it’s the beginning of Turner’s decline. He was in the same scheme when he posted 4.5 YPC in 2008 and 4.9 in 2009. His long runs have decreased. He had 9 over 20 and 2 over 40 in half a season last year. He had 9 over 20 and 1 over 40 all year this year. His YPC in our last 6 games was 3.9, 3.9, 2.8, 3.3, 4.0 and 3.7. He’s 29 years old and looks slower and heavier. I fear the end is nigh for Turner.
by Mosugo on May 3, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Still don't agree
Your case is compelling but not conclusive. Stats are derived from two things – individual performance and schematic responses. When MM was the OC at PIT the teams YPC declined EVERY year and that is the SAME thing that’s happening with ATL. Is that a coincidence? I think not. The running game becomes easier to defense because it never changes. With JN going down every year there is no change of pace, that doesn’t help.
My idea didn't come from a dislike of Turner. Just a value thing.
Like how the pats always seem to trade a guy within a year or two of his rapid decline.
I wasn’t implying that Turner can’t do it for us anymore, but I certainly think we can do it without him now. No matter who runs the ball this year they should have more room with a healthy HD and the addition of a Waffle House to the offense.
by FLA_Falcon on May 3, 2011 12:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
That is true.
the pats always seem to trade a guy within a year or two of his rapid decline.
"In a dog eat dog world, you must have the mentality of a Pit Bull." -Phil Jackson
All I am saying
Is that Turner’s reputation outweighs his production. Teams like the Bengals always fall for reputation. Could we get them to part with a 2nd round pick if they didn’t resign Benson? Probably.
by Mosugo on May 3, 2011 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yep yep yep. Or the raiders. Cuz they love everyone
by FLA_Falcon on May 3, 2011 2:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Nah, Raiders wouldn't go for him
He doesn’t fun a sub 4.4 40 yd dash
"Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming." -John Wooden
I can't wait see what we got
"I'm about rings now"
~Arthur Blank
by CollegePark4Life on May 3, 2011 9:21 AM EDT reply actions
I like how he's the Mike Smith version of lightning, meaning he's basically just tiny thunder.
Should prove to be a very good pick.
I am proud to be a Kennesaw State Fighting Owl. -- Vince Dooley
by Jason Kirk on May 3, 2011 9:23 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs
TINY THUDERRRRRR!!!!!!!!
by FLA_Falcon on May 3, 2011 9:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd for awesomeness
Smokey says: Only you can BVG forest fires.
TINY THUNDERRRRRR!!!!
"I'm about rings now"
~Arthur Blank
by CollegePark4Life on May 3, 2011 9:48 AM EDT reply actions
With Thor coming out this week "tiny thunder" is very apropos
Did I just use apropos in a sentence? By Odin’s beard I must be dehydrated.
I really don't see him as complimentary
He has nowhere near Norwood’s speed, and he doesn’t run like a speed-back. His vision makes Norwood look like Stevie Wonder. (Remember how Jerious would turn the corner and then run at lightspeed straight for the nearest defender?) Jacquizz will be much more instinctive, especially inside.Norwood was one dimensional. Jacquizz Rodgers is a complete back.
I think the FO feels that he’s got the chops to be an equal recipient of touches. If Norwood got 8 touches a game in ’08, I think ’Quizz will get closer to 15. Turner was a short-term fix; the long-term plan is to use a RBBC.
Smokey says: Only you can BVG forest fires.
Not to mention 'Quiz can actually run inside
Something that Norwood was terrible at. Kid’s got feet, he’s gonna make a lot of people miss.
don't trade Turner, nobody values him as much as we do.
but don’t be surprised if 2011 is his last season as a top back.
by 2013 we will still be able to run the ball with our 3 headed monster, but will be a team that throws the ball out of 3 WR sets ( Roddy, Julio, and HD) alot more
Jacquizz Rodgers could be the Falcons' best pick in the 2011 draft.
Don’t be surprised one day if Quizz becomes Atlanta’s featured back ala the Jag’s Maurice Jones Drew.
I dont know if he will ever be as good as MJD...
but hell he could easily be one of the best 3rd down backs in the league for a long time
Quizz
He’s a guy we can throw screens to and a good check down option. Great pick.
PS- We’re gonna see Quizz juke someone out of his shoes. I’m very stoked.
Hmm...
We could hrow screens to HD, Norwood, Weems, Smith, Johnson, Snelling, Mughelli, Jenkins, Roddy…
I agree it’s a good idea, but the only time I remember us running a screen was in one of the last games of the season, can’t remember who we were playing but t felt like we were in 5 wr gun throwing screens for the entire first quarter
by FLA_Falcon on May 3, 2011 2:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm also vey stoked to see the defense trying to answer he Pop 'Quizz
Question #1: Do ya wanna get juked, or trucked?
by FLA_Falcon on May 3, 2011 2:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Only prediction I can make about
Rodgers is that there is a terrible faux pas in the future to be made by someone trying to pronounce his name. My money is on Terry Bradshaw. He may not have top notch speed but he’s quick and fast. Haven’t had a back like this before.
Terry should follow my lead...
… and just call him “Jac”, or “J.R.”
I’ve got high hoped for this kid.
OMG...
that is funny, I can see him screwing that up badly. I like Terry but he is definitely no “Master” of the English language. after the first show he will just be calling him JR.
Your right, we haven’t had a back like this before…I can’t wait to see this guy in action!!
by Joseph K. Houston on May 3, 2011 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
All you who were worried about our performance against 3-4 defenses last year
Since 3-4 linebackers tend to be much bigger guys in order to rush the passer and fend off second-level blocks, they’re going to have a hard time
(1) seeing Rodgers
(2) getting to Rodgers quickly
(3) finding a way to tackle a guy who, while running with his head down, presents a sub-4 foot tall target.
This should be fun…
He
comes to me as a Ray Rice. Small but strong with a low center of gravity and great balance. Doesn’t have top break away speed but is fast enough to break through holes in a defense and very very very hard to bring down.
*In Matt I Trust*
Rogers
I really like the kid. Tough, tough guy, very elusive, but not top end speed. I think that we will be pleased with him. Don’t know what is happening with Norwood, I expected a lot more out of him, he was the feature back at MS ST with an SEC schedule and ran inside as well as out and, man, he is fast. I don’t recall him having injury problems in college.
I would have preferred using the no 1 pick on D, and drafting Randell Cobb in the second, where he could have been the no 2 receiver and also your change of pace back, although there is some conflict there depending on down and distance.
Norwood just caught the injury bug and couldn't shake it
Its too bad. I hate seeing guys get their careers derailed because of injury. Maybe he can pickup with another team and still make something of himself in the NFL.
J.R. has starter potential and dropped because of a 4.64 at the combine, but rebounded with a 4.4something at his proday.
I would go out on a limb and say J.R. could replace Turner as the feature back in Atlanta within three years. He needs to learn the system and Matty Ice has to learn how to find a guys who’s 5’ 6" out in the flats, but I think it can happen. He has the motor, toughness, and burst to make in the NFL, and will go down as just the icing on the cake for this draft.
While I'll agree that Turner will be at or near the end of his career with the Falcons in 3 year or so (which is around when I think his contract is up anyway)
I’m not sure Rodgers will be a #1 RB, especially when true #1 RBs are becoming a rarer and rarer breed every year. But I think he could be half of a very potent with Turner and/or Turner’s eventually replacement ala MJD and Fred Taylor in Jacksonville, or Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor In Minn.
The cost we’ve all seen in Turner of putting a RB through too many carries makes me hope we’re moving towards a true two-headed running attack.
Agreed
We’ve seen how the 2-headed monster can help a team. In this case, we’ve got 3…hell, we could even say 4.
Turner, Quizz, Snelling (If he stays), and Ovie! (Though I’m sure Ovie won’t be used so much in the run game, but he’s a good option as a quick hitter to keep the defense honest.)
Also, we now can run reverses with Julio Jones and HD (If HD’s leg is better.)
Plenty of fresh legs on the team.
Turner should get less carries this year and the workload should be shared a little more.
Back
I think its a good idea to consider trading Turner if we can get a higher 2nd round pick at least. I believe Turner still has a couple of good years left in him but he has had a heavy work load with us over the last couple of years and that does eventually catch up with every back.
Well, he hasn't had a heavy workload over the past couple of years
He was hurt one of those years. For 2010 MT was second in carriers (344) with Mendenhall being first (385). Rice was third at 337.
MT had 178 carries in 2009. Jones (Jets) was number one with 377 carries. 344 carries would have been fourth in the league that year.
MT had 394 in 2008 whihc was first in the league. Adrian Peterson was second with 383.
That's still a very heavy workload to me
He has the 4th most carries in the league over the last 3 years (combined), and had the 2nd most Carries per Game (20.7 – just behind Steven Jackson) over that time frame.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Fair but
over the course of his career, seven years, he has averaged 170 carries per year. Two years of higher than average carries should not be pushing him to the point of a down hill slide. As a contrast, since you mentioned Steven Jackson, he has averaged 271 carries per year over the psat seven years. I know that comparison means nothing in the grand scheme of a RB’s durability. I’m just saying that I think all of this talk about MT being on the down hill is a little premature. One year does not make a trend.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on The Falcoholic
Related FanShots on The Falcoholic
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Roger Goodell wants Wi-Fi in every stadium
- Plaxico Burress wants to workout for the Dolphins; Dolphins don’t want Plaxico Burress
- NFLPA files collusion claim against NFL, claiming salary cap arrangement in uncapped year
- Donald Driver compared winning ‘Dancing With The Stars’ to winning Super Bowl
- Report: Most NFL players would have no problem with an openly gay teammate
