Falcons select RB Jacquizz Rodgers in the 5th round
Jacquizz Rodgers was a highly productive running back in the Pac-10 (Associated Press)
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons continued their theme of moving up in the draft to select a player on Saturday.
They traded away their fifth round pick (158th overall) and one of their seventh round picks (229) to move up 13 spots to select Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers.
Here’s the book on Rodgers:
FALCONS PICK: 5th round, 145 overall (18th running back selected)
Name: Jacquizz Rodgers
Size: 5-6, 198
College: Oregon State
His production: He rushed for 8,245 yards and 136 touchdowns over his storied high school career in Richmond, Texas. Rodgers finished his career ranked second all-time in Texas high school history with 41 100-yard rushing games. He also had 21 200-yard games. He splashed onto the national scene when he helped to power the Beavers over Southern California, 27-21, when they were ranked No. 1 in the nation. He ran the ball 37 times for 186 yards and scored two touchdowns in the breakout game. He started 35 of 36 games for the Beavers. He gained 3,877 yards and scored 46 touchdowns. He also caught 151 passes for 1,052 yards and five touchdowns. He is just one of eight players in Pac-10 history with 1,000 yards rushing in three seasons.
The skinny: He was nicknamed “Mr. Touchdown” in high school. He landed at Oregon State in part because they had taken his brother, James, a wide receiver, the previous year. He was also recruited by Arizona, Baylor, Houston, Illinois, Louisiana Tech and Southern Methodist. He has a daughter, Channing. He ran a slow 4.59 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine. But he is considered to be more quick, than fast. He’s a proven tough and durable runner.
INTERVIEW WITH JACQUIZZ RODGERS TODAY
ON BEING PICKED BY THE FALCONS: “It’s the best feeling in life … finally a dream come true. Something you’ve been working for your whole life and actually getting a chance to seize the moment and be a part of a good team is a blessing.”
ON THE USC GAME: “That was the biggest highlight of my career, knocking off No. 1 USC. It was my freshman year, just being able to contribute to a win like that was good. Being part of Oregon State’s offense, a pro-style offense, having a coach like Coach (Mike) Riley put the faith in me to carry the ball a lot and being a featured guy in his offense (was awesome).”
ON RUNNING BETWEEN THE TACKLES: “It’s all about confidence. I run strong. If they look at my size they might under estimate me. After the game, I bet they have a different opinion about me.”
ON PICKING UP THE BLITZ: “That was something that we had to do. I’m willing to stick my nose in there and block linebackers. . . I remember watching Warrick Dunn when I was a child.”
ON NOT FUMBLING: “Ball security is something that we worked on every day in practice. Not putting the ball on the ground is a big thing. My coaches in college always focused on ball security and blocking. That was a big thing. They always said if you made it to this point they already knew you were a good runner, so protect the ball and protect the quarterback.” (He officially had one fumble on a lateraled pass.)
ON HIS SIZE AND PROVING PEOPLE WRONG: “That’s the main thing. Most people question my size. It’s something that I can’t change.”
ON HIS PASS CATCHING SKILLS: “Being shorter than most guys, being able to catch out of the backfield and beat linebackers one-on-one and in open space, I think it helps me out a lot.”
ON THE LOCKOUT: “I’m just working out and staying in shape. Hopefully, the lockout will be over soon.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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185 comments Add your comment
murf4hof
April 30th, 2011
10:57 pm
great pickup……… a real stud…….btw… the defense was not as horrible as put on ….one really bad game doesn’t mean we need to only draft D….especially with all of the defensive free agent talent
nick
April 30th, 2011
11:12 pm
Quiz is an absolute beast.. im lucky enough to be a pac 10 fan and had the chance to watch him as much as i could on saturdays, hes been compared to barry sanders by many without the breakaway speed, reminds me of maurice jones drew though.. great pickup by the falcons!!
nick
April 30th, 2011
11:18 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/61633-is-oregon-states-jacquizz-rodgers-the-next-barry-sanders
Nativebird
April 30th, 2011
11:21 pm
4.59 is not exactly “explosive”. short and slow does not make a good NFL running back.
Jordan
April 30th, 2011
11:25 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/04/30/review-of-atlanta-falcons-draft/
Mr Charlie
April 30th, 2011
11:42 pm
Short and slow does not make a good NFL back, but ones with great vision and hands usually do…Did’nt Emmit Smith run the 4.6 range? How do you explain that one?
OtterBjoyful
May 1st, 2011
12:02 am
Look, the guy scored 51 TD’s in 3 years in the Pac-10. You can think what you want about Pac-10 defenses, Falcons got the steal of the draft.
WTF?
May 1st, 2011
12:12 am
anything is better than michael the worm burrner. maybe atlanta finally realizes turner isn’t all that and never will be. We shall call turner Mr. choke on the big games
Leo M
May 1st, 2011
12:55 am
Fantastic pick! Saw him play often in college. Extremely quick, elusive, doesn’t fumble, can catch the ball, can block on pass rush, doesn’t quit on plays, and most impressively, he MOVES the pile like you wouldn’t believe! Check out some highlights, or track down that USC game from when they were No. 1, his strength and leverage are astonishing. As a small, quick guy who will get lost behind O-line and as a pass receiver we couldn’t have done better. Helluva pick.
KQuark
May 1st, 2011
2:12 am
Spouting 40 speeds means nothing with a player as quick, elusive and surprisingly as powerful as this as this. He’s a steal for a 5th rounder and is closer to MJD than Dunn. Norwood had all the foot speed in the world and could never stay healthy. Rogers may not get you a TD as much as Norwood did but his quickness and overall ability will get the Falcons the 3rd downs out of the backfield they need. Leave the big plays up to Jones.
Falcons 4 Real
May 1st, 2011
7:59 am
Helluva pick indeed. I nearly jumped through the ceiling when we made the pick. Great job by TD to move up and get him.
SAINTS LSU
May 1st, 2011
8:01 am
Great Draft guys Saints, Bucs, Falcons & Panthers Geaux Saints its gonna be a great year
Falcons 4 Real
May 1st, 2011
8:04 am
As for the concerns about his 40 time remember Barry Sanders, Emmit Smith and Jerry Rice had slow 40 times too. Last time I saw they were all still in the Hall of Fame.
Falcons 4 Real
May 1st, 2011
8:13 am
Thanks Saints/LSU, good draft to you too, Ingram was a great move and well worth it. Bucs had a fantastic draft on paper, not real happy about that. I’ll disagree about the Panthers though, I think they’ve totally blown it on quarterback for a second straight year. First time I’ve seen that happen. ,
Buck
May 1st, 2011
9:20 am
He11 Yeah!!! This guy is gonna be the next Warrick Dunn….(and that is a supreme compliment) Moves my draft grade for the birds from B to A-.
marcus
May 1st, 2011
9:21 am
this may be a good value, but did the falcons have to give up so much to get julio jones? what ever happened to the wide receiver from oklahoma who made the gandland video, which led to his dismissal from the football team? he was comparable to jones in size, speed and ranking coming out of high school.
Larry
May 1st, 2011
10:13 am
GREAT DRAFT for the Birds……. I. Our defense he not that bad, they are getting better. Everyone wants to point to the Playoff loss but the defense help beat the Packers earlier in the year…… Rodgers had the game of his life and that is why we lost. 2. With the pickup of Jones and Rodgers are offense got some MUCH needed pieces……but give it some time, remember Roddy struggle early on. 3. Everyone is assuming Jenkins and Norwood are gone, while I agree with Norwood, Jenkins should be moved to the slot as Douglas has also been a ( like Norwood ) disappointment. Can you see our red zone offense with Roddy, Jones, Jenkins, Gonzo and Turner……WOW, who are u gonna defend….. no more doubling Roddy and or Gonzo or always stacking the box on Turner. ANYONE can score plus and MOST important with these pickups I think you add years to Gonzo and Turner as they will not be lean on as much. 4. Just like a great defense helps an offense well a great offense will help the defense…… CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!
Mr Charlie
May 1st, 2011
10:37 am
What I like most about Quizz is his pass catching ability, and how me makes people miss. They is just a producer, a football player.
Mr Charlie
May 1st, 2011
10:38 am
Norwood will get cut, Jenkins will be traded for a much needed draft pick.
chc4
May 1st, 2011
10:50 am
Everyone freaking out about the D need to take a step back. Roddgers was unconscious in the playoffs. When we played GB just before T’giving it was a different story. The Saints O didn’t shred us. We’ll be fine. If Julio pans out no one will remember all the picks we gave up b/c our O will be elite… as in Green Bay elite but with a running game.
YoDog
May 1st, 2011
11:17 am
We’ll have to see how J.Rodgers performs in the NFL. A small and relatively slow RB for the NFL, it’s no wonder he was available. Why we picked him up when we need a really good prospect at this position is unclear. Here’s hoping for the best and perhaps a good acquisition subsequently in Free Agency. We were hurting visibly at this position last season with Turner frustratingly on again off again in his speed, focus, and ability to hold on to the ball. I agree we need quickness in the backfield and prefer that over speed at the RB position. Good move from that perspective. Blocking? At 5′6″ and under 200lbs I don’t think that will be much of a match up in the NFL.
Righteous
May 1st, 2011
11:38 am
D Led, can you ask your IT people if they can do the comments similar to how facebook does it ( so that when you reply to someone it falls right under their comment)?
Mustang62
May 1st, 2011
2:09 pm
Watching Quizz since high school and thru college I can tell you this I have become an Atlanta Falcon fan even though I am and will always be a true blue Cowboys fan!! Great pick Atlanta
Quizz Fan
May 1st, 2011
5:50 pm
I am a HUGE Quizz fan! Have watched him throughout his high school and college career. He is an amazing play maker! You should take a look at his high school state play-off wins (both semi and championship games). He played every down (offense and defense) in the championship game! I really couldn’t believe he didn’t get picked up before the 5th round. The Falcons GM is to be commended for recognizing the potential in Quizz. I am now a Falcon fan!! Can’t wait to purchase a Falcon’s Quizz jersey and to watch Quizz play in the NFL!!
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
May 1st, 2011
9:26 pm
I happened to be channel surfing this past football season and by accident stopped on several Oregon State games, I was amazed at Rogers’ speed and his ability to run through defenses being such a small guy in stature.
I am excited about having him in the backfield this coming season. With Rogers on the team, hopefully they can trade Norwood for additional help on defense. Maybe he can stay healthy long enough for a trade to happen.
PlanB
May 1st, 2011
9:29 pm
Righteous – yes, and thumbs up and down.
Quizz on screen plays. Many of you have forgotten that we don’t run them. Not sure why.
This draft again is a wait and see. We still need that FA DE. Would be icing to get a CB but please keep Grimes. We went thru his training yrs. Don’t let him go now that he is trained. You will regret it.
If anything happens to let Kerry Meier get away, we will regret that too.
Matt
May 2nd, 2011
8:57 am
4.59 40??????? Really???? That’s linebacker speed.
D. wil
May 2nd, 2011
9:14 am
Coached Quizz in high school. You guys will fall in love with him. Great work habits that will rub off on everyone. I just became a Texas Falcon
NFL Draft rundown: Casey Matthews, Jacquizz Rodgers have lots to prove (Paea … @ Fantasy Football Wisdom
May 2nd, 2011
12:13 pm
[...] Falcons select RB Jacquizz Rodgers in the 5th round. [...]
slim
May 2nd, 2011
12:41 pm
This Guy isn’t warrick dunn fools warrick didn’t run over people Jaquizz does go watch the tape that’s all this guy is very strong quick fast don’t go by his combine he plays bigger than his size indicates i compare him to a miniature adrian peterson Murlakey please don’t screw this up now lets Go Get Mr 3-3-5 nickel package more defensive help a proven corner and defensive lineman.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & TIred
May 2nd, 2011
1:16 pm
I agree with most folks that Rogers is a good pick for the team. However, with that said….
I’m still not convenienced that Mike Mularkey understands how to best utilize the offensive talent he has on the team. I was so hoping that he would be gone to another team this year but since that did not happen, I can only hope that he does a better job of coming up with a strategy based on the players that he has to work with when designing the offensive plays.
warfalcon
May 2nd, 2011
2:11 pm
Good pick,hey nativebird you are not a nativebird because if you were you would love the winning team we have today,also I know you have never played football not even little league because if you had you would know the little guys are always in the end zone.will be looking for your comments during the season.I am a Grady Baby that make me Native.All nay sayers good bye.
iceBIRDcold11
May 2nd, 2011
3:18 pm
He is going to be a game changer. The Falcons were always looking at these quick type of backs run by them now we get to return the favor with pizzazz.
This cat will change how the gameplan will look on Sunday…………………love it……………….IBC11
John
May 2nd, 2011
5:06 pm
OSU alum here, enjoy watching him. He is a monster for his size. check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX6ofXkoHII
BAMA CHIK
May 3rd, 2011
12:58 pm
Glad to have u in the A!!! Im excited to see what the Falcons can do next season((hopefully we’ll have one)),,,but i’m fully behind my team, and support all the draft day decisions they made…Thomas D is a hell of a GM and has not steered us wrong yet…GO FALCONS!!!