Why Jacquizz Rodgers Will See A Larger Role In 2012
by Dave Choate on Jan 21, 2012 12:00 PM EST
in Falcons Talk
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PrintThere's a familiar refrain with the Atlanta Falcons which dates all the way back to the days of Warrick Dunn. That refrain goes something like this.
We're gonna get Jerious Norwood/Jason Snelling/Antone Smith/Jacquizz Rodgers more involved in this offense. This guy gives us a different dimension to what Warrick Dunn/T.J. Duckett/Michael Turner gives us. I think he could be a real weapon for us.
That's never actually happened. Norwood was a weapon, and you could argue that limiting his carries was smart given his fragility later on in his career. Still, a guy who averaged close to six yards a carry in his first three seasons with the Falcons got less than 300 carries over that span.
The story didn't change with Rodgers in 2011. Rodgers was a less effective player than Norwood—he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry—but he was a quality receivers (21 catches for 188 yards) and it's pretty tough to judge a guy's performance based on 57 carries. That's an average of less than four totes a game.
There's been plenty of speculation about Michael Turner's future with these Falcons, which is only natural considering he's turning 30 and his performance has fallen off a cliff at the end of the last two seasons. I respect that we're going to have a debate about how much of that is due to line and play calling, because we should have that debate. But Turner, for all his awesome line-pounding and yard-rumbling magic, is not a pass-catching weapon. Rodgers and Snelling are.
I think the pattern that began with Norwood way back in 2006 will finally be broken this season. New coordinator Dirk Koetter likes screens and Mike Smith is unmistakeably high on Rodgers. If Smith truly believes Jacquizz is a potential three-down back, he and Koetter owe it to themselves to give him more than 100 carries and see if he really is. If Turner comes back—and I believe he will—the Falcons need to keep him fresh for the stretch run this season.
The Falcons need to become more versatile on offense, something everyone in the organization finally seems to recognize. That's why I believe 2012 will be Rodgers' year to make his case.
Do you agree?
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Dave, here's my gripe...
In late 90s, we had the big, thick Not-so-speedy Jamal Anderson. Then we transitioned to the half-pint, but speedy Dunn. Then back to big, thick, not-so-speedy Turner. And now we are back to a half pint in Quizz. Can the falcons just get a regular-sized RB along lines of Forte or AP?? A total package guy? I’m sick of this nonsense.
by atlien698 on Jan 21, 2012 12:11 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
warrick dunn
Was impressive. Not sure I have any problems with the half-pint running back. Especially with Rodgers’ skill. If we use him right, he could for us, what Darren Sproles did for NO. Although, I disagree that he should be a 3 down back, the idea of a 3 down back is fading away for good reason. I prefer the RB by committee style, keeps a D on his toes, doesn’t rely too heavily on just one guy, and keeps them all fresh
Warrick Dunn was only impressive
because of Mike Vick. Defenses spent so much time and energy on Vick that it allowed Dunn to rush for 1000 yards. Without Vick, he would have been completely ineffective. BTW 1000 yard rusher isn’t that impressive anymore. It’s only 62.5 yds/game.
However, I completely agree with the RB by committee approach. If we keep Turner, I’d like to see both he and Quizz in the backfield at the same time. That way the D can’t key on one of them or know that there’s a 99% chance it’s going to be run up the middle when Turner is in there by himself.
by DenverFalcon on Jan 21, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions
I would love to see a
Play action with Turner up the middle them hit quizz on the sideline and let him scamper
Is this real life?
So Brad Johnson must’ve made him look good in TB, right? C’mon mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
There is no 'u' in awesome, but there is a "me". Deal with it...
by NaGaNole on Jan 21, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I mean, did you ever see the legs on Dunn?
Every bit as thick as the ones on Turner, his upper body wasn’t as big. Dunn was a successful back way before he ever played with Vick…
There is no 'u' in awesome, but there is a "me". Deal with it...
I wouldn't call Dunn innefective. He did have 2 1000 yard seasons in TB
And while you’re right 1000 yard backs are whatever now, he did it with decent 4.2&4.6 YPC averages. He also had almost 800 yards, 4.2 YPC, as a part time back when he went back to TB. Throw in 30-40 catches per season and he was a good back.
I really do hope we go w/the RBBC backfield. There are few teams remaining that have what you’d call a true primary back and those are at least dual threats out of the backfield. Rams, Vikes and Jags come to mind. I really hope we decide to evolve.
I'll concede that ineffective
may have been a little harsh, but I do recall many a game where Dunn was averaging 3 plus yards per carry while norwood was in the fives yet Dunn received 5-7 times as many carries as Norwood (probably due to Norwood’s lack of blocking).
by DenverFalcon on Jan 21, 2012 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
I believe you're thinking of '07 when Petrino was here
That year doesn’t exist in real life
by FLA_Falcon on Jan 21, 2012 4:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Disagree
Dunn was an All Star his entire football career. Probably one of the best “Small” 3down backs of all time. He’s a great person too…does things in the community true standup guy.
If Quizz becomes even close to what Dunn was we are in real good shape!
with that said
Quizz has that special ability to play faster than everyone else. Has nothing to do with top end speed either. The dudes agilitiy is off the charts. I like the Running Back committe but when a guy gets Hot…you have to let him run with it, regardless of who it is…
here's my response to your gripe
Please see the hit jacquizz rodgers put on jason allen near the end of the texans falcons debacle. Knocked out one of the harder hitting DBs in the league like a scene from a Chris Tucker movie. Give the guy a chance before you classify him as half pint cause I see the pint glass more than half full on this one.
pete56
I agree. But the Falcons don’t have to change; they just need to use their backs better. I actually like Snelling because he can catch balls when needed (look at last year’s Baltimore game), and can block and run. If the new OC can use Turner, Snelling, Rodgers, and A. Smith in a more creative mix, I think the end result will be offensive improvement where they can pick up 3 or 4 yards running or passing and keeping the opposing defensive guessing.
On screen passes hopefully yes,
But I like Snelling on the checkdown throws. At this point I think id like to see Turner lose around 70 carries to spread the distribution some. Hopefully we will have a real o line + ovie and one of our backs can make a big name for himself.
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Jan 21, 2012 12:16 PM EST via mobile reply actions
All good points
But I also think the blame in the running game belongs to the o line more than just our MT. He did still finish in the top five in yards again this year I think.
"I'm about rings now"
~Arthur Blank
by CollegePark4Life on Jan 21, 2012 12:21 PM EST reply actions
he finished 1st in the NFC, and i think 3rd overall. my thing is he gets so much work the first part of the season he’s worn out and more prone to injuries toward the end of the season. if we had used Snelling/Quizz more to spell him early on, he’d have been stronger toward the end of the season.
of course that pathetic excuse for an OLINE can be used as an excuse. just imagine how many yards he’d have finished with if he’d had good blocking in every game?
by chaz s on Jan 21, 2012 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t care what type of back we use/have, as long as he finishes runs. MT makes some huge runs but always seems to get tackled 20yds short of the EZ
by dnldbrk on Jan 21, 2012 12:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Ture, but inside the 20 hes almost guaranteed.
He had 11 tds, tied with laurent robinson.
"I'm about rings now"
~Arthur Blank
by CollegePark4Life on Jan 21, 2012 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
Laurent who?
O yeah, that guy that had a lot of upside that MM could never utilize.
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
Didn't we cut him prior to the '08 season?
I don’t think MM ever had a chance to utilize Robinson. He was injured for a year, then we drafted Douglas and didn’t need Robinson anymore.
Douglas is the guy with a lot of upside that MM could never utilize.
This is my corn. You people are guests in my corn.
We traded him to the rams, where he was hurt again and released
He then went to SD was one of the last cuts and was grabbed by the cowboys where he helped me win my fantasy football championship. :)
here
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/10519/laurent-robinson
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
He was traded to the rams. We swapped places with them in the 5th and 6th rounds and they also got him in return
Those swapped spots got us William Middleton and Spencer Adkins.
by aces666high on Jan 21, 2012 11:50 PM EST up reply actions
Weapons
Both MT and Quiz are weapons if they are used correctly. My gripes are Turner lacks the speed to hit the edge, and has no burst in the open field. Quiz lacks size and will not be an every down back. If I had a preference, I would find a back that can get 25+ carries a game, speed to hit the edge, elusive in the open field and a great pass catcher. Not asking alot am I? hehe. I just find it a bit predictable during the game when Turner comes out and Quiz enters. You know Turner wont catch screens or catch may balls out of the backfield. Quiz is not the guy to pound the ball on 1st downs. Sign a back that can do both, an every down back in the NFL. I’m not a fan of the RB by committee, and think it may take an every down back to take the team into the elite.
Coaching wins championships!
why are you not a fan of rb by committee?
As far as elite teams, check New Orleans, New York. The run by committee is quite effective. The NFL is a game of strengths vs. weaknesses. Sure, maybe the defense knows that Turner isn’t gonna go to the outside, or that Quizz can’t pound up the middle. But if we have a back for each situation, can they defend them all? And imagine burner and quizz in the same backfield. Now what?
well
Everyone knows that if Burner dont carry the ball he will either be a blocker or decoy (since he has hands of stone) so PA would just eliminate 1 player about 1.5 seconds into the play.
RB by committee (my opinion) is very popular due to a couple of reasons:
1. Not many “true” every down backs anymore—everyone in college is going to specialty backs so that spills over to the NFL (much like specialty relievers in MLB)
2. So many teams are wanting a “WR/PR” type personality in the backfield because like a PR, they can go through a crowd (the line of scrimmage) and like a WR they can run crisp routes and do to the WR/PR type of player (a-la Sproles) but this tends to lead to a “less muscular” type of player (read: regular legs and not tree trunks) so they need a bruiser for a change of pace as well as a short yardage/goal-line runner.
Just my opinion
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
For the offense
1.5 seconds of everybody crashing the middle on Turner is more than enough. Remember, a passes ball travels faster than a person, so if everybody bites on a PA(as they should if it’s Turner) quizz has an open sideline to attack(assuming the wr’s block) I’d rather have 3 guys who excel at their strengths rather than one guy(like foster) who can do everything pretty good.
by DezL12 on Jan 21, 2012 2:44 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
I agree
I just find it a bit predictable during the game when Turner comes out and Quiz enters. You know Turner wont catch screens or catch may balls out of the backfield. Quiz is not the guy to pound the ball on 1st downs.
that’s absolutely correct. we want to be less predictable, and Koetter should figure out somehow our RB situation. one was to be less predictable would be to have Turner practice catching ball in the offseason. this way we could keep Turner on the field and actually have some designed screens thrown at him.
but you know, Edgecrusher, there’s one back on our roster who possesses both skills – able to run the ball, catch it, and even shed 5-6 defenders along the way – Snell.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
I'm all for Snelling
Each year we hear the same comments, “Turner will have less carries.” It always seems Turner is over burdened with carries and wears down towards the tail end of the season (Buccs game doesn’t count) Snelling filled in superbly during Turners injuries. I’m not sure why he doesn’t get more playing time. I do not believe the Falcons need 3 RB’s to fill separate roles Quizz scat back, Turner the runner, what would Snelling’s role be? Call me confused, but I’ve read several posts where my fellow Falcoholics are on board with Cyrus Gray. Even if we did part ways with Turner, each back would still not have a defined role in the offense unless we parted ways with Turner via trade, or Snelling through Free agency.
Coaching wins championships!
by Edgecrusher211 on Jan 21, 2012 5:37 PM EST up reply actions
I agree that
this confuses our identity. this way we’d be very much like the aints, Quizz=Sproles, Turner=Ivory, Snelling=Thomas, except that the aints do a good job of splitting their carries. but this scheme is different from the one panthers use, where both Stewart and DeAngelo can run and catch. so in any given situation with either of those 2 backs panthers can run or pass. I like the latter.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
i dont think
its possible to have a smaller role unless he gets cut Mike Mularkey was such a moron lets slam Turner up the gut 300 times a season and give Snelling and Quizz 50 carries to see if they can do anything
There's only 2 reasons for a team to utilize a 'feature back':
1. They’re doing so because they lack the pieces to use RBBC.
2. Mike Mularkey is their Offensive Coordinator.
Perilously close to a 2007 style depression.
What if they have AP or MJD?
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
Foster in Hou, and Jackson in Buf
along with AP are the only backs IMO that truly do it all. MJD is a beast, but I think he lacks the lateral quickness and elusiveness that foster and jackson have.
by DezL12 on Jan 21, 2012 2:50 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
But to answer your question
There is a reason one 3 out of 32 teams have that kind of back. They are extremely rare, and if you don’t have them, there’s no need to have a feature back
by DezL12 on Jan 21, 2012 2:51 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
More than 3
AP,MJD,Turner,Mendenhall,F Jackson,D McFadden,Forte,L McCoy,M Lynch,D Murray,
Rice,Gore,B Wells,S Jackson,McGahee,A Foster,J Charles, R Mathews,C Johnson.
Thats 20.Plus 3 more will be when they get out from under their current contract.They are M Bush,B Tate and M Tolbert.Fully two thirds of the league have a clear #1 back.The other one third is mired in the frustration of having no back that wins the job or can stay on the field healthy.This so called running back by committee is not a quality to be aspired to.Its the ultimate frustration of those franchises.
Does anyone here think that the Saints aborted their 2012 draft to move up in round one in 2011 to pick Mark Ingram so they could add another back to the committee,when they could using those picks this year for the defensive front 7.And why is it that no team claims Chris Ivory when he bounces back and forth to the practice squad.
Turner was a backup at SD that got to show out when LT was injured.Williams and McGahee never ‘shared the load’ with Rice.They were back ups that ,adjusted for injury,played about the same number of snaps as Snelling.
Depth is a good thing,but every franchise aspires to be in the two thirds that have a top RB rather than the one third that doesn’t.
I don't aspire to be in the 2/3rds of anything.
Most of those teams aren’t playoff teams. RB by committee is not a fall back plan. Even teams with a clear feature back, still use their 2nd and 3rd string back. RB by committee teams just take it to the next level. They realize it is easier to pay 3 specialty guys a small amount rather than 1 guy the Chris Johnson amount. And you misunderstood what I said. I didn’t say only 3 guys who are feature backs. I said only 3 guys who can do it all. Run fast, run strong. Shoot the gaps, run outside, with fb, without fb. Catch passes, run routes. All that. If you think over 20 guys can do that, then we aren’t watching the same league
Of those you mentioned, their teams have drafted players to keep them from being the full time guy
Or have began to timeshare. AP now has Gerhart, for what that’s worth, Mendenhall doesn’t even get the goalline stuff or the 3rd down carries anymore, Moore and Redman take a chunk of that, they drafted what’s his name because they didn’t think Jackson could hold up as a full timer, McFadden has Bush, they brought Barber in to cut back on Forte’s carries and Barber was becoming the goal line back, Murray took the job from Jones but jones was still well in the mix because J Jones drafted him and he’s decent as long as he’s not carrying the full load, Ben Tate was drafted to complement Foster, Charles went into this season w/jones, McCluster and Battle in the backfield stealing carries, R Mathews finally at the end of the season got a hold of the #1 back spot yet Tolbert is still the goalline guy and in on most 3rd down and longs.
The rest of the guys are #1’s to an extent. Sjax because everyone else sucks around him, Mgahee same, Wells same and his possible replacement was injured in the Pre season, Johnson nearly lost his job to Javon Ringer.
To boot a ton of these guys missed games or seasons due to injuries. Feature back is good in theory, let’s the guy get on a roll but also hamstrings you when he doesn’t.
by aces666high on Jan 21, 2012 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This reads a lot like a fantasy football cheat sheet.
Willis McGahee is NOT a feature back.
Perilously close to a 2007 style depression.
If a good coach has options, he uses them.
Look at Norv in SD (a ‘smart’ coach, results not withstanding): He got Turner and Sproles enough touches to get them both fat contracts.
Same situation in Baltimore, where Willis McGahee and Ricky Williams shared the load with Ray Rice.
Incidentally, how many times did Ray Rice and LT get hurt?
Perilously close to a 2007 style depression.
Of course we need to be more versatile
I like to use the word dynamic because to me I think it encompasses being versatile and being able to make big plays when needed. I don’t think we need to label Quizz as Dunn though. He is his own running back and will probably bring diffrent skill sets to the table. Lets let the coaches do their job and see if they can bring out the best in him.
by CombatFalcoholic on Jan 21, 2012 2:43 PM EST reply actions
What if we can sign this UFA?
Forte
Grant
Hillis
And if Vishnu is with us Lynch?
Don't bother hanging yourself or shooting yourself, just watch Atlanta sports.
Only guy on that list that I care for is
Forte. Grant benefits from Rodgers too much IMO, but he would probably be the cheapest. If Hillis isn’t focused, he’s worthless, and he has a better chance at breaking down sooner.
by DezL12 on Jan 21, 2012 2:47 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
I'd love to have Lynch
just to kill the Saints, but that’s $5 mill that can be better spent.
Perilously close to a 2007 style depression.
Yes! Lynch is the man..read this after my post...
His name should also be included of backs id like
by Bigru3 on Jan 21, 2012 3:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I agree but I dont know if hes the man...
Of the future for our team. He is very very small…comparisons to MJD have been,made but lets not get ahead of ourselves. Till proven otherwise I dont think hes a 3 down back…i really feel were missing something in our backfield..collectively they might be decent but I dont know that I see “Game Breaker” out of any of them. I think we might need to start looking outside the organization. I would like to see a versatile 3 down back such a Ray Rice or Aarion Foster. I know those guys are rare but we need one.
by Bigru3 on Jan 21, 2012 3:30 PM EST via mobile reply actions
He's very short
but he’s not a small dude. He carries a lot of muscle. People talk about him as if he’s a lot easier to bring down than he actually is.
This is my corn. You people are guests in my corn.
I hear yuh but at 5'6" 188 lbs...
Thats just not what I wanna see. I dont see the break away speed in Quizz infact his combine was like 4.6. That was his combine…dudes train for that day and thats his best. Just dont see the explosiveness I would like to see out of the backfield. Hope im wrong
by Bigru3 on Jan 21, 2012 5:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
He is more quick than fast, granted.
But he has a surprising amount of power as well. Just look at the USC game from his SR year. Dude is tiny dynamite.
by FLA_Falcon on Jan 21, 2012 5:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Combine 40 numbers mean nothing
Wearing a track suit, track shoes, not carrying a ball and running in perfect conditions means nothing. How often does a back in a game have 10 yards to build up speed without anyone in front of him, teammate or not? Answer, very rarely.
Exactly
What Quizz does have – and what really matters more in the NFL – is lateral quickness. He’s able to change direction on a dime. When an NFL offense takes advantage of that ability, he can turn 1 yard gains into 6 yard gains by simply changing direction suddenly.
I agree with all of you guys but...
Like I said I just dont see game breaker in his skill set.
by Bigru3 on Jan 21, 2012 10:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Barry Sanders
was only 5-8.
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
would rather use tat money for the O line
If Halladay, Lee, and Hamels all break their arms while playing tag in the clubhouse, We'll be set
by suicide bunting is a sin on Jan 21, 2012 4:41 PM EST reply actions
Why does everyone say Turner can't catch?
I’ve seen him make some pretty nifty grabs and of course you’re not going to be an expert at something you do once in a blue moon. I put more blame on play design and play calling than on Turner’s hands.
by FLA_Falcon on Jan 21, 2012 4:49 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Yea I agree with that...
He needs to be put in situations where he can just roll forward with catches. He doesnt have side to side agility so hes best when goin north south with momentum…that would be ideal for him when it comes to screens
by Bigru3 on Jan 21, 2012 5:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
True
Maybe even throw him a bubble screen or a drag whenever he is lined up in our patented “base personnel 5 wr” look
by FLA_Falcon on Jan 21, 2012 5:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yea he just needs to be looking ahead and on the go when he gets the ball.
I still think he lacks the explosiveness I would like to see but I def think he can wear defenses down if he used in this way.
by Bigru3 on Jan 21, 2012 5:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I once felt that way...
Till Turner went down and I got to see more of Snelling…hes not a starter for a reason from what I see. Hes a load and has speed but he has poor vision and is wreckless when hes running. It just doesnt seem fluid and I came to realize why hes in the role that he has. Even as a free agent no one wanted him…theres just something about him thats very raw. Physically gifted but I dont think hes got the intangibles
by Bigru3 on Jan 21, 2012 5:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That pretty much has been the knock on him his whole career. In SD he caught nothing and that is a team that loves to throw to RB's.
Tolbert is MT 2.0 but catches a ton of passes. I know he doesn’t have horrid hands, average at best, sometimes looks like they’re throwing him a ball coated in acid the way he fights it sometimes, but I could easily see him scraping into the 30 catches per season area.
Norwood/Duckett/Jacqiuzz
Norwood and Duckett were both miserable failures at blocking in pass protection.And of course Norwood finally earned some snaps after 3 years but couldn’t stay healthy to play.
Rodgers has a ways to go as a blocker to earn more snaps.Always remember that that other team also knows if you have a RB that is a poor blocker in pass protection.Putting that player in the game tells the defense alot about what kinds of plays you will and will not run.Its like telling the batter that a change up is coming.
If Quizz will take blocking seriously and learn the techniques and blitz reads this offseason,he will earn an enhanced role in the offense.If he doesn’t progress as a blocker,we’ll be drafting his replacement in a couple of years.Its up to him,just like it was for Norwood and Duckett.
Just give the man some touches
It’s all well and good to say he’ll be a huge asset (which I think he will be) but until we see it it’s just speculation. Now this isn’t negative speculation like, for example, ‘________ will be a good player’ only to be refuted by the fact they’ve had chances and haven’t grasped them. Quizz is essentially untested in our offense. He’d have been involved in maybe 40/50 plays tops this year, and he made some magic happen. Maybe we’re all high on him because of the ‘grass is always greener’ theory, but until we give him the ball we’ll never find out. Just give 22 the ball DK, he looks like a stud.
by Turner_The_Burner on Jan 22, 2012 10:42 AM EST reply actions
For what it's worth, I'm going to draft him in the late rounds of my standard fantasy league next year
by Turner_The_Burner on Jan 22, 2012 10:42 AM EST up reply actions
And I'm not drafting Turner for the first time since he became a Falcon
Offensive predictions via my fantasy team. You’re welcome.
by Turner_The_Burner on Jan 22, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
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