Snelling moves up depth chart released for Saints game

00919 Atlanta - SNELLING TOUCHDOWN - Atlanta Falcons running back Jason Snelling runs through a tackle attempt by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for the first of his two touchdowns during 2nd quarter action for a 17-7 lead at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.      Curtis Compton  ccompton@ajc.com

Did you add Snelling to your fantasy team? Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

FLOWERY BRANCH –   Understandably, running back Jason Snelling has moved up to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart released for the New Orleans Saints game.

With Jerious Norwood out for the season, Gartrell Johnson was added to the roster and slotted as the No. 4 tailback. Antone Smith is the No. 3.

There is nobody listed behind Ovie Mughelli at fullback, but Snelling would take over the backup fullback role if necessary.

According to the depth chart, Eric Weems, who made his first career start last week at wide receiver, will take over the kickoff return duties for Norwood.

OFFENSE

WR 12 Michael Jenkins 83 Harry Douglas 14 Eric Weems

LT 72 Sam Baker 74 Will Svitek

LG 63 Justin Blalock 79 Mike Johnson

C 62 Todd McClure 61 Joe Hawley

RG 73 Harvey Dahl 79 Mike Johnson

RT 77 Tyson Clabo 75 Garrett Reynolds

TE 88 Tony Gonzalez 87 Justin Peelle 81 Michael Palmer

WR 84 Roddy White 86 Brian Finneran

QB 2 Matt Ryan 8 Chris Redman 4 John Parker Wilson

RB 33 Michael Turner 44 Jason Snelling 35 Antone Smith 27 Gartrell Johnson

FB 34 Ovie Mughelli

DEFENSE

RE 55 John Abraham 90 Lawrence Sidbury

DT 95 Jonathan Babineaux 97 Trey Lewis 91 Corey Peters

DT 94 Peria Jerry 99 Vance Walker

LE 71 Kroy Biermann 98 Jamaal Anderson 92 Chauncey Davis

OLB 56 Sean Weatherspoon 54 Stephen Nicholas

MLB 50 Curtis Lofton 52 Coy Wire

OLB 53 Mike Peterson 59 Spencer Adkins

RCB 23 Dunta Robinson 21 Christopher Owens 24 Dominique Franks

LCB 20 Brent Grimes 29 Brian Williams

S 26 Erik Coleman 25 William Moore

S 28 Thomas DeCoud 39 Shann Schillinger

SPECIALISTS

K 3 Matt Bryant

KO 9 Michael Koenen 3 Matt Bryant

P 9 Michael Koenen

KR 14 Eric Weems 24 Dominique Franks

PR 14 Eric Weems 83 Harry Douglas

LS 82 Joe Zelenka

H 9 Michael Koenen

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81 comments Add your comment

D Money

September 22nd, 2010
12:54 pm

This is going to be good. We’ll have a corp of bruisers at runningback. By the end of the 3rd quarter, defenses won’t want to tackle any more. Of course this guy is the 4th back behind Smith but obviously this Johnson guy has a chance to unseat him. Hopefully, Smith pans out since he has Norwood type of speed and he already knows the playbook.

singhisking

September 22nd, 2010
1:17 pm

Lt,OG,wr,wr,wr,wr,

singhisking

September 22nd, 2010
1:19 pm

wr,rb,olb,og,LT

NO1 PICK

September 22nd, 2010
1:43 pm

Snelling somewhat reminds me of Ernest Byner.

NO1 PICK

September 22nd, 2010
1:47 pm

Norwood is like a always breaking Ferrari. Has great speed but is always in for repair.

Paddy O

September 22nd, 2010
2:34 pm

actually, a Jaguar is a better comparison. Our defense got ranked #4 on the NFL network. NO will be a genuine test – they battled pretty good against San Fran – tough to see any real weakness – Sunday will be a battle of the Titans. One thing to think about – we could have Wade Phillips as coach – Smith & Dimitroff seem to have a precise plan, and working the plan. Next year, we need a RB – unless turner shows us something the next 14 games, another rushing speed linebacker, another cornerback or Bob Sanders type safety (without the injury prone part). I would also say some help on the O line.

Paddy O

September 22nd, 2010
2:35 pm

Jessie – you are right – and the steelers look like the real deal – and we moved pretty well against them in the no huddle.

KD

September 22nd, 2010
2:48 pm

I missed the first play of the game, is that when Norwood got hurt ? Jerious Norwood, the Mike Hampton of football !!!!

ryan

September 22nd, 2010
3:11 pm

Vikes just signed Hank Basket so that could mean there out of the V Jax sweepstakes so the Falcons still have a window to trade for him .

DHunt

September 22nd, 2010
3:30 pm

Draft the best player/playmaker available in the upcoming draft. then go WR, RB, OT, DT, CB. But it’s real hard to even contemplate that list because drafting for need but passing up better talent is not always the best way to go. To much can happen in free agency.

Doesn’t Snelling as 2nd RB and FB mean that if Ovie has an issue, Smith becomes RB #2? Is that really the best way to go about this? Especially since Ovie showed yet again that he should be getting some touches between the tackles and some FB flare outs. He is a good matchup against most LB and safeties. Unless one of those tight ends can go back there, which happens on occasion now, I would think Klecko should be back in the fold.

Don’t hate on J-Rock too much Falcons fans. He tried, worked hard to come back from injuries, gave it his all while he was out there, and contributed to the highlight reel, in very limited opportunities. Body just failed him. I hate it happened to a guy with that much potential…

El Magnifico!

September 22nd, 2010
3:59 pm

Please get off Norwood’s back. I agree he has had too many injuries. This guy has had some bad luck with injures and injures are a part of football. I think some of you cannot differentiate between real football and Madden 2011 video game. Norwood is not a loafer like Vick. He did his best and got injured. You guys should feel bad for the guy. Be happy for Snelling who has move up the depth chart. I dare say that none of you thought that Snelling is a good enough player to be the # 2 HB and he has proven it. I like Snelling smash mouth style. Lower your head, run down hill, and hit someone. Good for Snelling!

tjhook

September 22nd, 2010
4:31 pm

I’ve been rolling with Jason Snelling since 2008 (preseason). I knew he was a player

JB

September 22nd, 2010
4:31 pm

Well said El Magnifico. Norwood had loads of talent and displayed it effectively when he was healthy. Too bad for him and for the team. Go Falcons !

DW

September 22nd, 2010
4:52 pm

I really like the guy but I’m afraid Jerious Norwood is Serious Deadwood at this point. No way the Falcons will take a chance on keeping him for the long term. Good luck with whatever comes next for you JN.

JONESBORO SLIM

September 22nd, 2010
6:18 pm

Anyone from the Falcons organization reading this “BLOG” please give Matt Ryan a DARK visor to wear so opposing teams can’t see his eyes in passing situations……..

Paddy O

September 22nd, 2010
7:19 pm

Ryan needs : the pump fake & the look off – really liked the naked bootlegs we introduced – screens on hard unblocked blitzes – we played quite well against the Cards.

Nique

September 22nd, 2010
8:41 pm

Is Lawrence Sidbury playing at all? I’ve tried to keep my eye out for him but i haven’t noticed him on the filed at all other than on special teams. I haven’t seen him show up on the box score stat line either. Does anyone know?

Dennis

September 22nd, 2010
8:53 pm

@ El Magnifico! – Right on brother… glad you showed up to cover my back. I was getting lonely in the “for Jerious” room. :-)

And isn’t it ironic that many of these same people who sing the praises of Smith and Dimitrof do a 180 where Jerious is concerned?

falcon fan

September 22nd, 2010
9:51 pm

I love it! Forget about change of pace, pound that ball!!! Having to tackle 2-240lbs. plus backs for 60 minutes will wear any defense down.

LynnCain-was_my_favorite

September 23rd, 2010
1:09 am

I am a huge Norwood fan but being realistic we cant afford the risk next year. He just gets hurt too much. Another team will probably give him a shot, maybe the Pats since they got rid of Marony

I honestly thought last year after Snelling played for Turner, he was a lot quicker hitting the holes. Turner still looks really slow, if he doesnt have a huge hole or opening for 5 yards he goes nowhere! Would like to see snelling more than Turner at this point, gives us better chance to win against Saints

E43

September 23rd, 2010
2:13 am

Jerious Norwood’s injury woes are not as alarming as how some of u are making it look. Believe it or not he was actually activated in more games than multiple starting backs in the NFL. I honestly think he will be back next year coz this is football- anyone, any given game or practice can go down(b-finn).i highly doubt the falcons will dump him because of injury issues. This team has seen nothing in terms of injuries and even when they do get injuries its usually to 2nd+3rd stringers.

iacovetti

September 23rd, 2010
2:15 am

LynnCain-was_my_favorite I agree as well. Let Turner rest while Snelling is hot! If the Falcons choose not to use Snelling this week against the Saints as much then I think it would be a huge mistake! I think Snelling is easily a great start this week against the champs and will make a big impact if used properly. Turner will probably just re-injure his groin again if pushed too hard! Anyone else have thoughts on Snelling this weekend??

Ronald Millsaps

September 23rd, 2010
4:35 am

It’s pretty offensive when a bunch of people who probably wouldn’t play a down of football for a billion dollars start accusing often-injured players of being soft. The pro-Jason Snelling comments are right on; the anti-Jerious Norwood comments are not, and lest we forget, Norwood has had many games since the start of last season where Mike Smith simply hasn’t used him properly, as in the first game of this season. It happened all the time last season.

We need Norwood back next season. I pray that he has a full recovery.

Ronald Millsaps

September 23rd, 2010
4:37 am

I said prior to this year that I wasn’t sure Turner was on our main guy at RB. Snelling looked very strong last year down the stretch and did an excellent job of breaking tackles. He has looked strong this year as well.

Why Smith hasn’t utilized Norwood’s speed to run outside the tackles and open up the passing game and Turner between the tackles is beyond me. He did so in 2008 but hasn’t since.

Keith Mercer

September 23rd, 2010
9:53 am

Look at Jerious he was running the ball.
when suddenly he took the big fall.
Oh my he said look at me.
I think I may have hurt my knee.
They pick him up and take him away.
He still smiles because he will draw his pay.

Gatorzone

September 23rd, 2010
10:33 am

Snelling is addition by subtracting Norwood. He needs more carries to really get his game going and this will help.
Did I mention that he is an inspiration to all of us epileptics out there? So glad to see him succeed!
Go Snelling, and Go Falcons!!!

GZ

LKW

September 23rd, 2010
12:15 pm

its time to let the dead weight go. Both Norwood and Turner need to be replaced. Norwood has been hurt more then he has been healthy. Turner is burned out. Mr. Blank needs to make some good sound business investments and cut his loss. It appears to me that if you have a player get hurt year after year cut the loss. Make this about business and the business of a winning team. Not “oh he is a good kid”. That doesn’t make a winning team!

terrell

September 23rd, 2010
12:31 pm

Snelling has been the #2 imo for the past couple of years. Norwood was a good returner, but he rarely plyed on offense. And when he did, he always got hurt after a couple of runs.

North FLA Falcon

September 23rd, 2010
12:39 pm

Ryan needs to mix up that snap count and throw some screens and bootlegs. I think Finn and Harry D will have big days since they should have single coverage. THe defense needs to stay NASTY and pressure Brees. No big plays from the Saints!!!

Keith

September 23rd, 2010
2:17 pm

Re: LKW

“Turner needs to be replaced…”

Really? He had 75 yds on 9 carries last week. Hmmmmm. :)

Keith

September 23rd, 2010
2:18 pm

Re: Ronald Millsnaps

Nice to see a reasonable post. ;)