Peace Out Homie: Jason Snelling Done as a Falcon?

by James Rael on Jan 24, 2012 10:43 PM EST

In this series, we're ~~making a lackluster attempt to navigate content purgatory~~ discussing some key free agents, debating the pros and cons of retaining various Falcons.

I've historically had mixed emotions about Snelling. I'll be honest, for a long time, I didn't like him. I thought he was vastly overrated. And then he proved me wrong in epic fashion.

As most of you know, Snelling explored his options last off-season. The suitors didn't give him all that and a piece of cheese, and as a result, he elected to remain in Atlanta for another year. Given our commitment to Turner and, to that effect, the need to retain Turner's replacement, I'd be very surprised to see Snelling in black and red again this fall.

That said, here are the top five reasons Snelling won't be a Falcon next year:

(5) Teams won't pass twice

Mike Mularkey owes Snelling a steak dinner, because his underutilization falls squarely on that man's shoulders. NFL GMs - for the most part - aren't stupid. He's a commodity. I truly believe he can make more money and find a bigger role elsewhere.

(4) He's a badass

The man broke his jaw during our playoff loss versus New York. And then he played some more.

(3) Michael Turner isn't going anywhere

We've discussed that he's owed 7.5 million next year, and that may seem like a lot given the impending schematic transition. But let's be honest folks, The Touchdown Vampire es nuestro hombre.

(2) Jacquizz Rodger's has skills

Skills! And given Koetter's screen pass mandate, his role will only expand.

(1) Roster limitations + Turner's replacement

Turner's going to retire sooner or later. As his career wanes, the need to replace him grows. While we carried four running backs this year, Antone Smith is a special teams guru. In other words, he's not actually a running back. In fact, over his two-year career, he's logged exactly one carry for negative three yards.

Here's what I'm getting at: we're not going to carry four actual running backs.

So there y'all have it. Comment early and often folks!

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I say

Either we keep Turner or keep Snelling. Cant have your cake and eat it too. If we keep Snelling we will go with the RB committee approach, if we keep Turner it will probably be with the understanding that he is in the game on running downs. Personally I would rather keep Snelling for a lower price than Turner and then draft a quality guy that can grow into the position.

by jackofallspades on Jan 24, 2012 11:14 PM EST reply actions

I'm torn

Along with Kroy, Snelling is my favorite Falcon. I am a big fan of his and believe he can be an excellent back in a new fangled two-back system. I wanted him to leave last season to prove that he could be a stud. He didn’t. Know that we admit Turner sucks I want him to stay for a bigger role. If he leaves it better be for enough touches to make a difference because if he leaves and get a minimal role it’ll be more Norwood-esque “What ifs”

by KevinC70 on Jan 24, 2012 11:28 PM EST reply actions

How many more of these are there?

by Bigru3 on Jan 25, 2012 12:17 AM EST via mobile reply actions

We have around 20ish free agents...

by FLA_Falcon on Jan 25, 2012 7:29 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Average RB, good hands, solid blocker, runs hard

Give him a full time job and he’d average 1400-1500 total yards. 1000-1100 rushing, 400-500 receiving. It’s not that hard to get 1000 yards rushing, just have to average 62 or so. Ced Benson has staggered his way to a couple of 1000 yard seasons and he is the epitome of 3 yards and a cloud of dust. 400 yards catching check downs and screens is easily reachable.

Won’t see him do that as a Falcon though unless something completely out of the ordinary happens. 7th round pick who I believe was one of the last cuts, went to the practice squad and if he was given the chance coulda helped keep MT healthy.

by aces666high on Jan 25, 2012 1:34 AM EST reply actions

it would be such a shame if they let him go

because of the 3 real RBs on the current roster, Snell is the only complete RB. he does it all – run, catch, run after catch, block, and then some more.

hard to see our team letting Turner go, and it might actually come to this choice between Turner and snelling.

the biggest problem with saying someone isn’t worth anything by looking at stats is this – MM underutilized his weapons to the extent that I would not be surprised to see Snelling or HD go elsewhere and shine.

just watch the TD that Snelling scored against NO in the first game. I mean, no other back on our team could do that – it’s the combination of hands, power running downfield and refusal to go down. Just watch it (Link 1 – that Awesome TD).

and here’re the highlights of Snelling, which show that he can be a receiving back or a power runner:
Link 2 – Snell highlights .

Another advantage that Snell brings to the table is his ability to fill in as a fullback. when Ovie was down, Snell did his job admirably.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Jan 25, 2012 2:41 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

I just can’t figure out why HD, Snelling, and Quizz were not used more? MM really that bullheaded? I still can’t make sense of it and he’s gone finally!

by Sbaron55 on Jan 25, 2012 8:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

As is often the case

It may be that for all their promise, these players don’t perform well enough to garner more touches. See, Jerious Norwood.

by TheAreopagite on Jan 25, 2012 8:57 AM EST up reply actions

2 possibilities

its either MM was ignoring them, or (which would be much worse) Ryan failed to go beyond his first read and throw to 3rd or 4th choices…
I think it’s more of the first, since Quizz and Snelling weren’t utilized in running game too.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Jan 25, 2012 2:50 PM EST up reply actions

at the risking of invoking the ire of the stat-mad Turner backers..

I want his @ss gone, and Snelling/Quizz to run it by committee for a year. Both of them have decent enough hands (Snelling has GREAT hands, Quizz’s are ok), and both have proven to be capable NFL caliber running backs. If we’re going to revamp this offense, and we’d better given what happened against NYG, we absolutely have to get over the idea of pounding it up the gut with Turner ever again. Ditching Turner would save a whole lot of money and a whole lot of wasted time and effort on an aspect of our gameplan that has thoroughly failed in the clutch for three years running. I’m not saying that Matty Ice and the passing game is any better, but at least the potential is there for some improvement. It’s only downhill from here with Turner, cut him now TD.

by throw it down the fugging field matt on Jan 25, 2012 3:32 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

You have invoked my ire, sir....

Ok, not really, because I don’t really use my ire for football discussions. Save that for politics. I do disagree, though. I don’t think Snelling and Quizz have shown enough to prove that they could replicate Turner’s production between them. I like Quizz’ potential in particular, but I saw an awful lot of zero and 1 yard gains from him in between the few big plays he had. A lot of teams would love to have a power running game. I don’t think we should be quick to abandon it. Yes, by all means get more creative on third and fourth-and short, but a guy who can get me 4 or 5 yards on first down simply by running it up the gut? I’ll take my downfield shots on 2nd and 5. Also not getting why people are down on Turner as a pass catcher. He’s proven he can do it and he’s a beast in the open field and hard to tackle. They just didn’t call his number enough.

by ChardeeMacDennis on Jan 25, 2012 5:41 PM EST up reply actions

Let's consider the league standard

Last year, Snelling had a chance to leave. As stated, he did not receive anything worth packing his bags for. The league in general is going toward a more pass oriented offensive style, which means that good backs are not as needed as in years before. Snelling could very well have the same reaction from the market this year as last.

by Bubba, Lower Forty on Jan 25, 2012 7:09 AM EST reply actions

I think we resign Snelling.

I haven’t completely thought thru my view on this,but my current thinking is,if he would re-sign for the $1.6m he made this past season,they will re-sign him.

On the few opportunities to get the # 1 Back game snaps,Snelling was outstanding.Granted,its a very small sample,but he has done plenty to confirm for us that he has alot of ability.He is the best blocker in pass protection of the backs on the roster and he is strong in all of the disciplines that are needed in a #2 back.

So,my current thinking is that you can get a comparable ball carrier for the league minimum salary.And you can get a comparable pass recieving back for the minimum.You can get a comparable blocker and you can get comparable experience for the minimum salary.But,the completeness of Jason Snelling is not available for much less than the $1.6m.That said,its a good point made in previous posts that every dollar counts and the $1.1m that could be saved on Snellings roster spot,is a $1.1 m contribution to a Oline or Dline Free Agent.

by dawg1060 on Jan 25, 2012 8:31 AM EST reply actions

Again, Michael Turner is only making 5 million in salary

the other 2.5 million is from a signing bonus paid years ago, but the cap hit is spread out over the length of the contract. 5 million for a great but aging runner is not a lot of jack.

by TheAreopagite on Jan 25, 2012 8:59 AM EST reply actions

What we’re actually paying him matters far less than how much his contract counts against the salary cap.

by James Rael on Jan 25, 2012 10:04 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I hope they re-sign him

Snelling’s not great, but he’s a great story, a great dude and a very complete back. You could do much, much worse for a backup and occasional third down back.

by Dave Choate on Jan 25, 2012 9:01 AM EST reply actions

Rather have Snelling

simply put, we can do more in playcalling with him than with Turner. (screen passes, throwing to the flats, check-down passes)

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 25, 2012 11:56 AM EST reply actions

Keep Snelling, let Turner go

Even though Turner has done everything possible in his 4 years, the Falcons need to try and trade for picks. Get a decent RB in the draft, in FA go after Ryan Grant. Snelling and new RB should compliment each other and be good pass catchers. Use Rodgers like Sproles, but as an outside runner, not up the gut!

I am thinking the Redskins, Jets, Browns, Lions, and even the Steelers might be interested in Turner. A 2nd round pick would be great, but 3rd or 4th round is more realistic.

by mice2 on Jan 25, 2012 1:59 PM EST reply actions

If we stick with 3 WR, 1TE, 1RB as our main offensive formation

We need a 3 down back. Snelling can be that. My other question is if we keep turner do we need to pay Ovie 3 Million when snell is more versatile and can fill the hole as a FB when needed.

Technically the glass is always full. 1/2 air. 1/2 water.

by dr3dd1ne on Jan 25, 2012 3:27 PM EST reply actions