Jerious Norwood Is Virtually A Former Falcon

by Dave Choate on Jul 10, 2011 11:09 AM EDT in Falcons News

We've long known Jerious Norwood was not going to be returning to the Atlanta Falcons. I've always liked the guy, but a combination of injury problems and little production over the last couple of seasons more or less drew us a picture. Add Jacquizz Rodgers into that mix and you've got a recipe for no Norwood.

Apparently, Norwood himself has become resigned to his fate. The affable Mississippi native's agent is openly talking about him being scooped up by another team. That's as it should be. A running back who only manages to play in 12 games in two seasons, assembling a sub-4.0 yards per carry average over that time, can't expect to be a re-signed by a team with an exciting rookie and a bruising back they'd love to lock up to a long term deal.

But let's be clear: Whether or not Jason Snelling comes back, Rodgers is going to replace Norwood. Now would be the time to say a fond farewell.

I'll remember him for his occasional forays into the eye-popping. When he stutter-stepped his way past a lineman and got into open space, he was a truly dynamic runner. For his sake, I hope the team that signs him gets a little bit of that old Norwood magic.

Remember Norwood, if you would.

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I don't want to

remember him. I want him back. Smith or Johnson should be the one leaving and although good, Rodgers doesn’t have the speed that Norwood has. I think he will finally overcome his injury woes and be a consistant threat.

If he is not with the team though I do wish him well, I just hope not in the NFC south or GB.
I’ll save my official good byes for when he’s on another roster.

by BigFalcon84 on Jul 10, 2011 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

I hear you

I really think this is it for Jerious in Atlanta, but I’ve been wrong before.

by Dave Choate on Jul 10, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Sometimes

being wrong can be the best thing for everybody, :-))

by BigFalcon84 on Jul 10, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

LOL

Not to be rude but the only race Norwood would beat Rodgers in, is a wheel chair race. I’ve alway’s like Norwood but the fact is injury prone RB’s are a waste of money! Neighter Smith or Johnson will cost anything to keep around for the respected backup roles.

FYI: LIttle Thunder ran a 4.4 on his Pro Day and i can guarantee you that after all the injuries Norwood would not run any better. Plus Rodgers has proven to be a durable back something JN hasn’t.

I wish the “Glass-Man” the best of luck with whichever team he ends up with, but I’m ready to check-in to Mr. Rodger’s neighborhood on sunday’s…assuming there will be games this year.

by FalcNole on Jul 10, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I believe I read that Norwood was very durable in college

I didn’t take the time to confirm that, but I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s true. Sometimes, guys just hit a rough patch of luck. I think he started out with better speed than Rodgers, but I agree, at this point in his career, Rodgers is probably a half-step quicker

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Jul 10, 2011 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

It's time to get Jerious.

I had been waiting to use that when he came back to play with us. All for nothing.

Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World

by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Jul 10, 2011 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs

Would it ease your sorrows if I Rec'd that?

by Dave Choate on Jul 10, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

If they could structure his contract

in such a way that he was paid on a game-by-game basis, then sure, bring him back. He’s been injured his whole career it seems and usually right when we need him. We drafted a new 3rd down back, have a solid WR corps and have good returners. Where does he fit in?

by drmondo667 on Jul 10, 2011 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I would like to take a minute to remember his play making ability

His rookie year, preseason vs the titans. That TD run showed us everything that we drafted him for. Speed, agility, vision, and ability to attack a hole or crease. If he ever gets back to that then he’ll be a big threat.

"I'm about rings now"
~Arthur Blank

by CollegePark4Life on Jul 10, 2011 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

I find it ironic

that since the new coaching regime has come in, that Jerious’ production has plummeted. I’m not saying that our coaching staff isn’t awesome, but I have a feeling that MM doesn’t have any idea how to use Norwood’s talents. He’s a speed back, but MM insists on running him up the middle. Hmm, how about trying to get him into space. I’d love to see him stay an us utilize him has he should be used, but if not I hope he goes somewhere that understands how to use a speed back. Hopefully it won’t be the Saints. And as for Rodgers replacing him, that’s a bad idea. Jacquizz isn’t fast. Quick yes, but not fast. A four-six something 40 isn’t what I call fast for a change of pace back.

by DenverFalcon on Jul 10, 2011 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

rec'd

I thought the same thing (except the Jacquizz thing)

by birdwatch on Jul 10, 2011 12:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Quizz can replace him

His 40 is slow because the dude is like 5’6" and his strides are shorter. The reason Usain Bolt is so fast is because he’s like 6’5" and his strides gobble up so much ground.

Quizz is extremely strong. Strength will help him hit the hole sooner (increased first-step burst) as well as change direction quickly (less weight plus more leg strength equals better “brakes” and more weight control). His highlight video from college displays his almost absurd balance and good direction-changing ability.

But you’re right. Quizz probably won’t run away from many DBs, but I liken him to a more physical Warrick Dunn. Dunn made a name for himself doing exactly what Quizz will probably do for us: being a shifty runner rather than a speed runner.

Also, I believe Quizz improved his 40 to somewhere in the 4.45 range at his pro day. That’s not elite speed, but that’s a good step up from what he ran at the combine.

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by Caleb Rutherford on Jul 10, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm nitpicking a bit here

But typically, the shorter guys are faster. When you think of the fastest guys in football, I think of Jeff Demps (5’8"), Trindon Holliday (5’5"), Jacoby Ford (5’10"). I would throw in guys like DeSean Jackson and Devin Hester as well, none of which are over six feet tall. Usain Bolt is a freak of nature, and I would be willing to bet he is the exception to the rule.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Jul 10, 2011 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't disagree,

but I think a lot of the short guys’ look faster than they are. Some of the best deep threats at WR are 6’4" guys who look slow but have that high gear that let’s them outrun everybody.

Another way to say this would be that their top speed more than compensates for the lack of acceleration. Randy Moss always looked like this to me.

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by VaderX5 on Jul 11, 2011 4:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I think the biggest change that affected production was the switch from zone blocking to power

Norwood is a great one-cut, zone runner. Inside zone or out. But reverting back to a power run game should have been the writing on the wall in 2008. You remember that Warrick Dunn, who still had a year of gas in the tank, was cut since he wasn’t a good schematic fit any more (also, he was no longer the starter).

by TheAreopagite on Jul 10, 2011 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

i can remember

Norwood takes the handoff right tackle for 12 yds. HB counter left 3. HB cutback 9 yes. Benched for the rest of the game… or…
Hurt. Out for season.

Norwood is a classic Falcon. But we’re a new team now, and unfortunately he must go.
Goodbye Mr. Norwood. We’ll remember you fondly

by birdwatch on Jul 10, 2011 12:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Oh yeah,

He gone. Sad day but I hope he’s a star in another division.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 10, 2011 12:25 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I don't mean to say

that I’m not excited about what Jacquizz can do, but I don’t think he’s the speed back that Norwood could’ve/can be.

by DenverFalcon on Jul 10, 2011 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

I will hate to see him leave if he does go

JN, when healthy, has/had the potential to be one of the most exciting RB’s in ATL history. When healthy his stats and highlights are outstanding. It is a shame that it seems the he doesn’t fit into MM’s offensive scheme, but with the injuries it’s hard to say, or could the scheme have contributed to his injuries?

I wish JN the best and hope he can stay healthy. The scary thing is, if he does stay healthy, how often will ATL play against him?

by mwalex on Jul 10, 2011 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

I have a sneaky suspicion

that he may be taking over for Mr Bush in NO. I hope I am dead wrong, but something tells me he could excel in a scheme like theirs.

by DenverFalcon on Jul 10, 2011 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

I hope...

your dead wrong too. With Bush likely gone and the rookie they picked up its (unfortunately) looking like a good fit. (please no, please no, please no………….)

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by Blood_Talon on Jul 10, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I have his jersey, signed by him, hanging up framed in my room

My favorite player. Really wish we didn’t have to say goodbye to him

by Mattyice318 on Jul 10, 2011 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

Sign Norwood and Snelling. Trade Turner. Release Chauncey Davis.

Snelling’s real value is his versatility as Mulghelli’s backup and eventual replacement in 2013; however, the team can not afford Snelling, Mulghelli, and Turner. If Snelling re-signs, one of the other two has to go. If Snelling doesn’t re-sign, the Falcons will need to pickup a fullback/special teams player in free agency.

My solution is to re-sign Snelling and Norwood. Norwood will be cheap, can rotate with Quizz and Snelling at tailback, and backup Jenkins in the slot and Weems in the return game. Jenkins will be released after the 2011 season as he is due to make $4.25m in 2012. Trading Turner and releasing Davis this year frees up cap space to re-sign Matt Bryant and one of the the team’s OL free agents, and sign a DE, a safety, and a LB free agent.

by Charlie Dirty Bird on Jul 10, 2011 1:45 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not a fan of two of our RBs being scat-backs

MM hasn’t proven he knows what to do with a scat-back yet. Norwood didn’t work, we hope Rodgers will. Turner and Snelling are the ground and pound runners MM likes. If we only have one, and he goes down, who takes over? Gartrell Johnson? Ugh.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Jul 10, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Completely irrelevant to Norwood

But, you know its a down time in sports when youre watching womens soccer.

by FlyYouFalcons on Jul 10, 2011 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

HEY

women’s soccer is awesome

by PurpleDRANKnotJUICE on Jul 10, 2011 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

he's not gone for sure, i don't know why this is widely believed

lets face it snelling isn’t going to be cheap, but mr. norwood is. the falcons also don’t have to offer norwood a multi-year deal like they would snelling, they can just offer him a 1year deal and see how things work out. drafting rodgers may not be a recipe for “no norwood”, did you guys ever think that drafting a running back in the late rounds would be an inexpensive replacement for a runningback that has become more expensive (snelling)? the falcons may not be up for playing “lets make a deal” with snelling when they have so many other free agents that are way more important. saying norwwod is as good as gone is irresponsible speculation as of right now, he’s inexpensive, great on special teams, doesn’t mind playing a lesser role, and if he can stay healthy he’ll compliment turner and rodgers very nicely, better than snelling who is really a fullback with running back legs.

by mr92687!!! on Jul 10, 2011 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

I hope you're right

I would love a backfield that consisted of Turner, Quizz and Norwood. That would be a very physical group that can catch out of the backfield and run screens. Each RB would bring a unique skill set to the game.

by mwalex on Jul 10, 2011 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

add Snelling to that bunch

by Fear Me on Jul 10, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

what's unique about snelling?

whatever you have in mind is probably not what mwalex is talking about.

by mr92687!!! on Jul 10, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

You see what I'm saying

If the three tail backs were MT, JN and Quizz that would be a very dynamic backfield. There is an excellent mix of very good hands, speed and power running.

While I like Snelling, IMHO, he is a hybrid of MT and JN. If JN could stay healthy I’d rather have he and MT than Snelling.

by mwalex on Jul 10, 2011 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

i agree 100%

by mr92687!!! on Jul 10, 2011 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I have to say that I don't think Snelling is going to be that expensive.

He’s a very good backup but he would be an average starter.

by Fear Me on Jul 10, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

that's the same thing a chargers' fan told me

“you guys paid too much for turner” he said. “turner’s a very good backup but he’d make a average starter at best”

now turner’s paid handsomely and despite missing some games in 2009 he’s still averaging well over 1,000 yards rushing per season as a starter.

i’ve heard 100 millions times that snelling is just another turner only a bit slower. you don’t think there’s a gm out there who thinks snelling can’t do what turner did only a few short years ago?

snelling will be expensive man, believe that.

by mr92687!!! on Jul 10, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

oh and of course the falcons shouldn't make a decision until after he's had a physical

norwood:
"I’ll be ready to roll this football season," Norwood said on Friday. "(Rehab) is pretty much over with."

by mr92687!!! on Jul 10, 2011 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

He was ready game 1 last year too.

1 play and done. He’s fragile.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 10, 2011 4:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

ive got a norwood jersey that will join the ranks of failure falcons that i have a shirt for

by Botchelism on Jul 10, 2011 4:13 PM EDT reply actions

lol ok now

when norwood’s replacing cadillac williams in the bucs’ backfield and he’s killing our defense twice a year and you’re all just sitting at the edge of your seats waiting for him to fall to the ground holding his leg so you can say “i told you so” but that day never comes……………….. remember your early goodbyes to a guy who never bitched about playing a minuscule role when dunn left and took the critism of those in his own teams’ fanbase, who was never a problem off the field, who played his ass off when his number was called, and took pride in being an atlanta falcon.

ridiculous.

by mr92687!!! on Jul 10, 2011 5:41 PM EDT reply actions

The only criticism I've seen here is he gets hurt easily

And most people here, including myself, like the guy! There were some plays that could only be described as electric. Him scampering thru a hole for a big gain, catching a 2 yard pass and turning it into 30. Then there’s the other side, running out of bounds and coming up lame, returning a kickoff, going down and u just knew it wasn’t a little Charlie horse with him, that he was gonna miss major time. Your what if story could go many different ways, Snelling could turn into a 800 yard 60 catch time sharing back, Norwood could go down…again. Turner could get nicked, suddenly it’s the Qiuzz and Wood show and very quickly the Quizz and practice squad guy show. Or it could go like u said. But do we take a chance on a guy just because he can be had on the cheap or do we go with a guy who doesn’t have as big an upside but is a damn solid utility player? He was used wrong most of his time with us but that can’t be changed. Btw, there’s nothing wrong with saying goodbye to a player, especially one that was well liked. I would never categorize Wood as a failure, more like a what could have been. William Andrews could have been one of the greatest, Jamal Anderson could have been a 2000 yard back etc, etc.

by aces666high on Jul 10, 2011 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

He may come into his own later in his career

But not with the Falcons. I liked him though.

"I'm about rings now"
~Arthur Blank

by CollegePark4Life on Jul 10, 2011 6:28 PM EDT reply actions

I know we are pretty much resigned to the notion...

… of Jerious leaving the Falcons. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if he blew up somewhere else. Sure he’s been injured a lot, but those things are quite unpredictable and he has shown that he’s got an exceptional ability to run the football in this league.

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by Grayson on Jul 10, 2011 8:05 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs