Snelling moves up depth chart released for Saints game
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
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
September 22nd, 2010
7:06 am
Norwood out with another injury???? Surprise, Surprise. Snelling is a much better back anyways. Cut Norwood after the season. He’s been injured more than he’s been active.
The Gamer 10
September 22nd, 2010
7:15 am
Jerious “China Doll” Norwood….Not suprised at all! He has 95 percent chance of getting hurt anytime he touches the ball. Blame it on those skinny bird legs of his..SMH
papafoxx
September 22nd, 2010
7:24 am
Time to get younger with our RB. Norwood needs to go, he’s hurt every year & with Turner starting to show his age a little we have to look for fresh backs. Snelling deserves the chance, hes a hard worker and doesn’t seem fragile yet
Keith
September 22nd, 2010
7:38 am
Is Norwood related to Chris Chandler?
James Ray
September 22nd, 2010
7:54 am
Has anyone seen Gartrell Johnson’s website? http://www.gartrelljohnson33.com He sells t-shirts with his name on them for $30. I’m buying 10 of them right now!
Jeramy
September 22nd, 2010
7:56 am
Where is Roddy White on the depth chart?
Jeramy
September 22nd, 2010
7:57 am
Nevermind, found him…
James
September 22nd, 2010
7:57 am
White is #1 and Finneran is listed as his back up.
Season Ticket Holder
September 22nd, 2010
7:57 am
This latest injury maybe the end of Norwood’s career as a Falcon.
SirReal
September 22nd, 2010
7:59 am
I have always liked Norwood but I really think this is what’s gonna get him cut. If that knee doesnt give him the same speed, he’s gone. I appreciated the early years he gave us…now just go on IR, collect your $, and move on…
Resign or Resign?
September 22nd, 2010
8:06 am
Will Jenkins play?
rainman
September 22nd, 2010
8:09 am
It looks like RB has become a priority in next year’s draft.
How would y’all rank these 5 needs — OT, RB, WR, TE, DE …?
James
September 22nd, 2010
8:19 am
WR, CB, DE, OT, RB, TE
suwaneefalcon
September 22nd, 2010
8:19 am
I believe and hope that Norwood has played his last down as a Falcon.
suwaneefalcon
September 22nd, 2010
8:21 am
WR,OT,RB,DE,TE
I want to see how the kid Palmer matures before I move the importance of TE up. I think he is a real sleeper.
uga_b
September 22nd, 2010
8:22 am
DOL,
As someone who scooped him up in fantasy, I would love to know Jenks status as well. Is there any indication they would look at a Klecko or Haynes type again?
ACCnut
September 22nd, 2010
8:23 am
I have always been a Norwood fan but he is hurt way too much for this league.
uga_b
September 22nd, 2010
8:23 am
Rainman:
RB, DE, OT, TE, WR.
Honestly I think this varies based on Turner and think we might get a Tackle in FA so it is not as high. Snelling & Norwood are both FAs after this year.
ToccoaBird
September 22nd, 2010
8:24 am
RB should be top priority in next years draft unless the Falcons can get Green.
Sid
September 22nd, 2010
8:27 am
Antone Smith, undrafted, was cut last year by the Lions, Vikings, and Texans. Gartrell Johnson scored an 11 on the Wonderlic, 1 more than did Marcus Vick. But if he is actually selling those shirts on his website maybe he is smarter than we think. Hmmmm, wonder if he asked the Falcons for #33…………….!!!
WonderDawg
September 22nd, 2010
8:28 am
I hate the knee injury for Norwood, but he has underachieved, mostly due to nagging injuries, his entire career. Always seems to run like the wind in preseason, then is mostly hobbled in the regular season.
In fact, I can think of another guy on a similar tract – Caleb King.
Season Ticket Holder
September 22nd, 2010
8:29 am
QB, OT, TE, RB, WR. I’m sorry, QB was not part of the original list. However, is not to early to think about the future.
mountain_jim
September 22nd, 2010
8:36 am
Norwood should not have running back kickoffs if they wanted him to last well into this season. I knew that even before he went down. Oh well, lets move on. Best to Norwood in his recovery but I doubt he plays again.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
September 22nd, 2010
8:39 am
Did anyone else notice that when norwood went down it didn’t look like he was even touched? he looked to me like he cut back as was about to be gone and high stepping and then bang he folded. I hate it for him and hope he recovers and gets to play somewhere.
I am in a very lonely group that thinks Jenks will help the offense a lot get well quick Jenkins.
D boyz
September 22nd, 2010
8:41 am
Will Snelling be putting up close to the same numbers as he did in week 2? Or is Turner going to be taking to much playing time for Snelling to put up some good numbers?
Sid
September 22nd, 2010
8:41 am
Turner and Snelling will both chew up some turf against the Saints Sunday. This will be one helluva game…………!!!
Bird Dog
September 22nd, 2010
8:46 am
All I know is that Moore needs to start every week from here on out if he stays healthy. It’s nice to finally see a Falcons safety that is physical. I’ve said for 2 years that their safeties were too soft and too slow. Coleman is way too slow, he looks like he’s dragging a sofa behind him. Please keep Moore in the starting lineup!
Jeff
September 22nd, 2010
8:49 am
Any word on when Brian Williams will be ready to return to action?
screg
September 22nd, 2010
8:50 am
I hope William Moore starts again this week. We need that playmaking ability at safety if we want to stop NO’s offense. Coleman is strong against the run, but doesn’t stand out in coverage. 안녕!
K Bird
September 22nd, 2010
8:58 am
Yep, Norwood just cut and then he went down. Knee must have blown up when he cut. To bad, the guy is electric when he is well.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
September 22nd, 2010
9:11 am
resign — We should get an update on Jenkins today. He was in the open locker room on Monday.
K Bird — Norwood tripped over Shann Schillinger’s heel, then hit the ground. That’s what I saw on the slow motion replay. Will look at it again. DVR is great.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
September 22nd, 2010
9:12 am
Jeff — Brian Williams took over for Christopher Owens when he went out against Arizona. He’s back already.
papadawg
September 22nd, 2010
9:12 am
Exactly how I blewup my knee, just cutting, nobody touched me
D. Orlando Ledbetter
September 22nd, 2010
9:14 am
uga_b — See above on Jenks. I will check with the Grandmaster TD on the fullback issue. In the past, he’s been comfortable with Snelling backing up Ovie and Turner.
dawgforlife
September 22nd, 2010
9:15 am
Williams played last Sunday…and I think Moore makes all the difference in the world. teaming with DeCoud, they form the youngest, fastest, hardest hitting, tandom of safties in the NFL
Sid
September 22nd, 2010
9:27 am
@SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
****************************************
I too would like to see Jenkins back in the mix. He had 66 yards on 4 passes and 82 yards on 3 passes respectively in the games against New Orleans last year. This year we’ve thrown to Roddy White 20 times in 2 games, the next highest receptions goes to Jason Snelling with 6 catches. But Harry Douglas leads the team in yards per catch averaging 14 yards per catch.
We’ve lost the last 3 games to NO but under head coach Mike Smith we have never lost to a NFC South rival four games in a row.
The oddsmakers have made the Saints a 4 point favorite, that’s basically home field advantage…….!!
Falcons win 24-21 “Rise Up”
Ron-NS-Fan
September 22nd, 2010
9:33 am
Hate for this to happen, but can’t say I am surprised. I also thought he might get cut. Get well JN. Sorry the let Bear go….I think he is a sleeper…Clay Mathews type. Next year we draft prime RB.
Love it when the Falcons LOSE!!!
September 22nd, 2010
9:35 am
We need more Falcons LOSSES!!
waynester
September 22nd, 2010
9:36 am
DLed
If he’s our #2 RB, AND #2 FB that increases his value (and workload) even more. I haven’t seen anything out of Smith that makes me think he’ll be eating into Snelling and Turner’s number of snaps anytime soon. All that to say I’m concerned about excessive wear and tear on our backs. Anything extra on the 2 newbies would be greatly appreciated–googling these guys doesn’t tell you much….
waynester
September 22nd, 2010
9:40 am
love it…
please check the yellow pages under physicians/psychologists– perhaps they could help you with your obvious issues (as demonstrated by your posting about a team you hate). Good luck in therapy!
papadawg
September 22nd, 2010
9:46 am
Sorry for changing the subject but is it me or is Farve really showing his age
Larry
September 22nd, 2010
10:03 am
papadawg,
Would it be fair to say Farve (or any older athlete for that matter) looks older when performing poorly and younger when performing well…like last year?
PlanB
September 22nd, 2010
10:05 am
What would we have done if Ovie or Jason had gotten hurt? Do we have a backup FB other than Snelling? I like TD & MS but I don’t think Norwood should have made this team. Certainly not as #2 over Snelling who played so well filling in last year. Didn’t realizing his receiving skills were as good as they were until the Arizona game. He looked good. Hope Turner will be at 100% Sunday.
As far as drafting goes, I think OT first in 2011 and RB second. TE should be a first rounder for this team with some basketball background but we’ll have to wait until 2012. Hope TG can make it that long. TB, NO or Carolina got a good one in the draft. Don’t remember which team it was but he will be good.
Go Falcons!! Beat the Saints, their luck has to end some time. They got almost every break Mon. night.
Jeff
September 22nd, 2010
10:18 am
I must have really had too many cold ones if I missed Williams being back. I don’t recall seeing him, but I am sure glad he is back.
Vick
September 22nd, 2010
10:52 am
Hey…Does anyone knows wassup w/ Michael Jenkins? I haven’t heard any info. on him lately.
ATL Observer
September 22nd, 2010
10:55 am
I like Norwood enough (even if he could only be healthy) but really Snelling should have been #2 to begin with. The Saints game should be an intriguing one.
Scott Case
September 22nd, 2010
11:02 am
What is the update on the injury to Chris Owens?
Dennis
September 22nd, 2010
11:16 am
The comments made by a lot of you keyboard kommandos never cease to amaze me. It is a sad fact that Norwood has been oft’ injured, but I’d bet a month’s pay that most of you who denigrate him so viciously couldn’t run SEVEN yards if your life depended on it, much less 75 with a ton of beef on your heels.
Get well soon, Jerious. As I said in another post, even if he never plays antoher down as a Falcon, he’s my hero for single-handedly beating the Florida swamp critters while at MSU.
Jessie Tuggle
September 22nd, 2010
12:15 pm
Wow all last week a good number of you had your nuts in an uproar and had hit the panic button. (you know who your are) Now all you can do is talk as if everything is dandy. To all true falcon fans this is a marathon and there are going to be ups and down. The object is to have way more ups than downs. Put the panic mode button in reverse and support management and the team.
JT
Mave2124
September 22nd, 2010
12:32 pm
Wasn’t Norwood in a contract year? Doesn’t that mean after the season, he is a free agent (not to be signed by us, LOL). Good talent….couldn’t stay healthy. Wished we got the kid the Chiefs drafted. As far as back-up FB…can we resign Klecko if need be?
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.