Sign or Don’t sign: Jerious Norwood’s knee is fine
Running back Jerious Norwood has recovered from his knee injury, according to his agent Bus Cook. (Curtis Compton/Ccompton@ajc.com)
For the next few days — while we’re waiting on news from the lockout talks — let’s play a little game: Sign or Don’t Sign. It’s my version of “Deal” or “No Deal” or “Buy” or “Sell.”
It’s a little free agency game to keep us busy while time is becoming of the essence in the labor talks.
Loading ...Here’s what the list looks like:
Justin Blalock, left guard, 4 years
Matt Bryant, kicker, 9 years
Tyson Clabo, right tackle, 6 years
Harvey Dahl, right guard, 4 years
Brent Grimes, cornerback, 3 years
Michael Koenen, punter, 6 years
Stephen Nicholas, linebacker, 4 years
Jerious Norwood, running back, 5 years
Michael Peterson, linebacker, 12 years
Jason Snelling, running back, 4 years
Eric Weems, wide receiver, 3 years
First up is the case of running back Jerious Norwood (5-11, 209). He was drafted in the third round (79th overall) of the 2006 draft.
Norwood flashed his speed and appeared set to have a long career as a third-down back and kickoff return specialist. Former Falcons running backs coach Ollie Wilson said Norwood had the physical skills of Ronnie Harmon, who played 12 years from 1986 to 1997.
Harmon, who made one Pro Bowl, averaged 54.2 catches out of the backfield from 1987 to 1996. Harmon had to be accounted for and was too fast for linebackers to handle in pass coverage.
Over his five seasons with the Falcons, defenses had to respect Norwood’s speed, but after a durable collegiate career at Mississippi State, he’s had trouble staying on the field because of injuries. Out of a possible 80 regular-season games, he played in 57.
In 2006, Norwood rushed for 633 yards. In his second season, he rushed for 613. In 2008, the only season that he played in all 16 games, he rushed for 489 yards.
In 2009, he played in just 10 games (concussions and hip flexor) and rushed for 252 yards. Last season, he played in two games before
Norwood is an avid fisherman.
suffering a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
As a receiver, Norwood caught 12, 28, 36, 19 and one passes. (Not exactly Harmon-like numbers.)
Norwood’s major contribution came as a kickoff returner. He has a total of 2,987 kickoff return yards, which ranks third in team history. His 25.5-yard career kickoff return average currently ranks second in team history.
He was injured in September. The Falcons were set to look at his knee in May or June, seven to eight months after his surgery.
The Falcons drafted running back Jacquizz Rodgers in the fifth round of the 2011 draft. They also have a decision to make on Jason Snelling, who’s been solid as a backup to Michael Turner at running back and Ovie Mughelli at fullback.
“With them drafting a back, they are going in a different direction, I would guess,” said Norwood’s agent Bus Cook by phone on Thursday. “Jerious is a good football player. Somebody is going to pick him up. He’s a great player. He has had some injuries, but he’s going to make somebody a good player.”
The easy-going Norwood recently held his summer football camp in Jackson, Miss.
“He does so well with kids and stuff,” Cook said. “All these camps are out there, but his camp is not designed to make money. He just wants to help kids.”
Norwood has recovered from the knee injury he suffered on the opening kickoff of the 41-7 pasting of the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 19, 2010.
“He’s ready to go play,” Cook said. “Somebody is going to get him real quick. I’m sure there are other teams that will want him on their team.”
So, Sign or Don’t Sign?
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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123 comments Add your comment
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 8th, 2011
10:49 am
robert — If you play a snap, you played in that game. Just didn’t finish two games. Thanks for your kind words.
True Falcon Fan
July 8th, 2011
10:51 am
Sign him up – One main point however – he must wear enough protection “PADS” to guard agianst future infuries!
Go Falcons
chickenman
July 8th, 2011
11:05 am
always been a fan… but we need to move on 2 years with no production… it speaks for himeself.. quiz is one of the best change of pace backs in the ncaa the last 3 years and we should donate every possible snap to give him a chance… norwood isnt needed anymore… we got weems the beast on kickoff now…
falconfanriseup
July 8th, 2011
11:11 am
Sign Norwood a proven homerun hitter. Just needs to stay healthy.
FalconGirlTilTheEnd
July 8th, 2011
11:15 am
Resign, resign, resign. I love a great football comeback story. And yes when healthy he is a proven homerun hitter (falconfanriseup)!!
Ellijaybuzz
July 8th, 2011
11:31 am
Not sure if I would like to hold on to a player who is so injury prone that he needs to wear shoulder pads while bass fishing!
I MUS WRITE
July 8th, 2011
11:42 am
If this were November i would say get rid of this guy he cant stay healthy but Its July and I say keep the guy. He has given us explosive plays when healthy which is more than i can say for gartrell JOhnson and the other RB from Florida state. Turner,Snelling, Quizz and Norwood works for me
I MUS WRITE
July 8th, 2011
11:45 am
Before signing him that knee should be atleast 90% its a two yr process recovering from ACL surgery. Not sure how effective he would be with all the cutting and slashing RB’s have to do…….
Jimmy Crack
July 8th, 2011
11:50 am
It obviously depends on what you sign him for in terms of money and years. Because of the lockout and the ensuing free-for-all that will throw 500 free agents on the market, if you can get a one-year contract for him with incentives that would be fine. Mutli-year…Nyet, as it would probably be at the expense of Snelling or Weems (which won’t happen). That been said, I really like this guy and wish nothing but the best for him after all the stuff he had to endure. A fine man.
JB FALCON
July 8th, 2011
12:27 pm
DOL, welcome back, hope you got all rested up for the season. So far, no one has suggested resigning Norwood, since we know he can be explosive (when healthy) and trade him to a team that is more desperate than we are.
Ryan2White
July 8th, 2011
12:32 pm
“Real Falcon”, what kind of championship team has injury plagued players on their roster? Norwood is average to better than average at kickoff returns, that’s it. Harry Douglas and Rodgers can fill the void of Norwood in an instant.
SeenThisB4
July 8th, 2011
12:33 pm
Enter your comments here
SeenThisB4
July 8th, 2011
12:34 pm
Jacquizz is going to be a bust, but then, Norwood already is. Don’t sign either one.
Tdubz1025
July 8th, 2011
1:08 pm
Please GOD no, don’t sign Norwood back. He’s garbage. He was exciting for like 2 seasons. Than he got hurt every time someone hit him. he’s fragile, he’s got glass bones. LET HIS A$$ GO!
Come on
July 8th, 2011
1:09 pm
Folks….who are you / we kidding. Sure, we all like JN. But you have to be on the field to play and he can’t stay healthy. Ankles/legs like toothpicks are easy prey for linebackers. He won’t last, plain and simple.
For that reason alone, and it is a biz decision, I say save the money and spend it somewhere else.
Jaquizz has a lower center of gravity and much bigger legs. He is a mini-Turner, except with moves and speed. We really don’t need JN so let him go sign with someone else. His best days are behind him.
Spud Webb
July 8th, 2011
1:32 pm
Bye Norword…potential for sure, doesn’t always pan out though!
ToccoaBird
July 8th, 2011
1:39 pm
our top priority is the OL and Snelling. sorry Norwood your”e out of here
K-Sly
July 8th, 2011
1:41 pm
Jerious Norwood is as good as gone. Yes he does have speed, and yes he is faster than Rogers. But that was before he had two leg injuries. It’s a reason Atlanta wanted to see him in May, to gauge wether he has lost a step or two. Norwood has definitely lost a step according to history, and gained a timid mentality. Jerious Nor-Glass is no longer built from that mold, he is now a porcelin doll that you can’t remove from the box and only stare. Norwood want strike up the band in Atlanta anymore, thats Rogers job now. Enjoyed you when healthy Norwood, but time has run out.
the one and only Falcons fan in Taiwan
July 8th, 2011
1:42 pm
Jacqui22’s BEST 40 times was 4.45, you fools. Ya’ll need to do some homework before you talking out loud like you know something.
seattle falcons fan
July 8th, 2011
2:04 pm
Real Falcon….. Unproven back does not win a superbowl……… see Greenbay last year… did we already forget that back
Boom Boom
July 8th, 2011
2:10 pm
The only guy with 4.3 speed that gets tackled from behind by a guy with 4.9 speed. Best of luck elsewhere.
robert
July 8th, 2011
2:12 pm
whats up d led. i remember because i was at that game. i guess technically he did play. also turner went down and we used snelling all day cause he was doing great. and it was the only game franks played in, which he recorded a pick against max hall at the end of the game. he returned it almost for a touch down, and we could have scored again, but did the smart thing and took a knee instead for the win.
Mr. Dawg
July 8th, 2011
2:18 pm
This is what the media pundits are talking about when they bring up a free agent “frenzy” whenever the CBA is done. With Turner and Mughelli locked in as starters the back up duties are all that’s available and the Falcons have none signed. Is there at team out there willing to give Snelling starter money with the goal of making him their man? If not, will another team offer him more than the Falcons will to remain as a back up? If we don’t sign Norwood will there be a better deal out there that brings a similar skill set as a back up role player? They won’t know if the 5′-6″ Rodgers is even an NFL caliber player till they get the pads on. I think there will be a whole lot of teams starting camp with thin rosters that won’t be complete until the very last minute.
AceDawg
July 8th, 2011
2:21 pm
I’d take him if the salary is minimal and has built in performance incentives, but he is a liability if the Falcons must depend on him rather than if he is able to fill a cherry on top role.
NOTSO FAST
July 8th, 2011
2:51 pm
Don’t sign him. He’s just too fragile. If we were sure we could get him for the season then ,yes, because he has that special speed. The oast show he just can not go for the season with out being hurt.
bubba beans
July 8th, 2011
2:53 pm
KEEP THE COUNTRY BOY! HE WILL BE VERY MOTIVATED TO PROVE DOUBTERS WRONG
RUN DMC
July 8th, 2011
3:01 pm
Can you say poor man’s Dexter McCluster?
FalconsFan284
July 8th, 2011
3:15 pm
With SEENThis here the party has officially hit the skids. The Falcons aren’t the team that may have to pony up $12 Million for mega bust Reggie Bush!!!! Second pick in the draft and plays like a fifth rounder with his 10-15 touches per game. LOL! Your team can really pick em!
Now the Taints have gone out and drafted another back that isn’t spectacular in any area with Mark Ingram. You also have Chris “Fragile” Ivory and Pierre “Ouch” Thomas to line up with “Concrete Shoes.” No Bush and a bunch of slow runningbacks equals a one dimensional passing team that is on the decline. Whose that gonna beat dem Taints? Any team playing them!!!!
seattle falcons fan
July 8th, 2011
4:09 pm
Like I said in the last blog…. I live in the northwest and everyone here (pac10) is very high on Quizz. I hope he’s talked to Ryan and got a playbook to study. I hope he has enough time to learn the offense. I voted no on JN but as a last priority,if he can be signed for nothing, than I say take a risk.
Pete
July 8th, 2011
4:18 pm
Against ALL logic I would sign Norwood. He has been soooooo “Snakebit” he’s due for some luck going his way. Big time…………..like Pro Bowl kind of luck.
He’s due.
Sign ‘em !!
Ken Strickland
July 8th, 2011
4:25 pm
We should resign him. His speed, quickness, open field running and receiving ability forces DEF’s to account for him at all times. And no DEF would be stupid enough to try and cover him with a LB. Even though he’s been injury prone, he’s more of a threat than Gartrell Johnson and Antone Smith combined. Can you imagive any DEF feeling it’s a must to account for either of them?
In 3rd and long situations, can you imagine a lineup featuring receiving core of RWhite, JJones, and HDouglas or MJenkins, and a backfield of RB’s JNorwood and FRogers? That would be a boatload of speed and talent for any DEF to contend with.
Paddy
July 8th, 2011
5:04 pm
D-Led….. Iknow they need to promote their players as agents. But putting him in the great class means clearing a space in the Hall of Fame. Bus needs to tone it down because it is laughable to call Norwood great!!! Even other agents must be laughing at that one!!
fanATicaL
July 8th, 2011
5:07 pm
We(the Falcons)carried Gartrelle Johnson and Anton Smith on the roster last year.If you could resign JNorwood to an incentive laden contract.If healthy and ready to play.He would be better than Johnson and Smith.Also,with this being such a short preseason.It just may make more sense to keep him.
Paddy
July 8th, 2011
6:08 pm
fanATical….you make a point if training camps are delayed a back lile Norwood could get more consideration. I would still rather spend Norwood $ on trying to sign the right side of our O-Line. Just a thought.
Navigator
July 8th, 2011
6:13 pm
Sign him again only if they are unable to get a quality free agent running back. It they do, then good bye.
Dana Edwards
July 8th, 2011
7:28 pm
If he is healthy, sign him. He would be a great switch up back.
hiramsaint
July 8th, 2011
7:35 pm
well i see someone forgot to put the toilet seat down and what pops up-failcansfan 284. once again he’s talkin’ but like his hero obama , he doesn’t have a clue!
hiramsaint
July 8th, 2011
7:37 pm
hi ken , hope all has been well with you but i also hope 284 has been in a car wreck ! nevermind , he is a car wreck and it’s a prius so nobody really cares.
ALEXANDER
July 8th, 2011
9:33 pm
IN THE HANDS OF A MASTER ALL THINGS CAN AND WILL BE USE SO I SAY RESIGN HIM
SeenThisB4
July 8th, 2011
9:39 pm
Saying that the Saints are a one dimensional team on the decline isn’t consistent with an 11-5 record. It would be the equivalent of saying the falcan’ts are on the decline cause they were obliterated by the sixth seed. The falcan’ts offense isn’t led by an elite QB, and they failed to improve their defense via the draft. The lockout might be dissolved as early as next week and training camps activities will probably not be impacted at all. Won’t be long before the season’s inaugural game kicks off, Green Bay & New Orleans: The two best teams by far in the NFC.
Nickname
July 9th, 2011
1:17 am
It wouldn’t hurt to re-sign him for depth at RB. Only if he agrees to a fair contract.
Ken Strickland
July 9th, 2011
3:01 am
One would definitely have to be delusional and completely out of touch with reality to believe the 11-5 AINTS, who finished 2nd in the division to the 13-3 Falcons, and who suffered an extremely embarassing 1st rd loss to the worst and 1st losing team in NFL playoff history, is the NFC’s 2nd best team. WOW!!!!!
I’m certain you AINT FANS spend so much time on Falcon blogs because you want to associate with winners, and that’s not possible if you waste time blogging about the AINTS with other delusional AINT FANS. And for the record, your team is ONE DIMENSIONAL. You’re almost all OFF and very little DEF, and your OFF is strictly pass 1st.
Both your rushing OFF and DEF are weak, and your aging DEF is another yr older. With the lockout, your draft picks, who you were depending on so heavily, won’t be much help this yr. And you’d better be able to resign your FA OLinemen, because you don’t have the OL depth to adequately replace them. Your LB play suffered because you made the mistake of thinking you had the depth to replace your FA LB’s last yr.
Without resigning your FA OLinemen, your RB’s and QB will have a hard time remaining upright. As it stands right now, the Falcons are only one play making DE away from a Superbowl, while the AINTS will be lucky if they can finish ahead of the Bucs, or even make the playoffs.
SeenThisB4
July 9th, 2011
1:20 pm
Your logic has an inherently fundamental flaw: (A product, no doubt, of a fail and cheating Atlanta school system). You claim our defense is older yet you blindly revel in the contradiction of the numbers of defensive and offensive free agents the Saints have. It won’t be the same defense, to get older.
The relevant issue that you overlook is the shortened window of opportunity for free agency; the Saints have already signed their first two free agents, prior to the lockout. They already know who they will resign and who they won’t, and what’s more, already know what other team’s free agents they will sign. What has your team done?
You pin your hopes on ONE play-making DE! Therein lies, simultaneously, the quintessential delusion and escalating probability of failure. Pinning your dreams, on ONE player you don’t even have a name for, much less signed! LOL! Good luck with that Kenny!
That one dimensional Saints team you refer to, is accustommed to defeating the falcants and they have become— exceedingly efficient at it.
GEAUX SAINTS
just me
July 9th, 2011
3:17 pm
Offer him the vet min. and if he chooses to sign then let him compete for a spot. Competition is always good!
B'Red
July 9th, 2011
4:07 pm
Let Norwood go because he is not a good fit for this offensive system. He will be great in the right system.
hiramsaint
July 9th, 2011
6:38 pm
true dat b’red. with an offence that relies soley on the run , norwood has proven he can’t take the punishment needed to make up for matty melts lack of passing prowess. the aging turner and snelling will again have to carry the load and you must really wonder how quizz will be able to hold up under an nfl pounding due to the lack of the failcans run blocking abilities. granted , he is fast but so is the rest of the nfl. the pac-10 is highschool compared to the nfl and oregon suddenly didn’t look as impressive when they played auburn who was as close to an nfl D as oregon saw all year
Ken Strickland
July 9th, 2011
9:21 pm
The biggest difference between the AINTS and the Falcons is the Falcons are striving to get better, while the AINTS are striving to keep from getting worse. Certainly you’re not dumb enough to believe that going from;
1-reigning division and Super Bowl champs to division runnerup and wildcard entry is an improvement, or
2-suffering a monumentally embarrassing 1st rd loss to the NFL’s losing team in playoff history, or
3-being outscored by the NFL’s 25th ranked OFF,
IS AN IMPROVEMENT. What have the AINTS done to deal with their:
1-sorry run DEF,
2-sorry run OFF,
3-sorry secondary that didn’t get as many INT’s combined as the Falcons Probowl CB BGrimes,
4-sorry DL that didn’t get many sacks or stop many rushers,
5-lack of OL depth, especially if you don’t resign your FA OLinemen,
6-problem with their declining OFF, and its inability to carry their sorry and aging DEF?
HIRAMAINT-How can anyone but a DELUSIONAL AINT FANATIC claim that a team with a Probowl TE and WR, who led the NFL in pass receptions and yardage, is a team that relies soley on the run? How many Probowl RB’s, TE’s and WR’s did the AINTS have? You’re the epitome of a ONE DIMENSION TEAM, because you rely almost exclusively on your passing OFF, and your QB.
Without DBrees, your entire team would totally collapse, and not one single phase of your sorry DEF could even come close to carrying the load. These are HARD FACTS that you and your fellow AINT FANATICS either ignore, or try to to talk around it.
DHunt
July 9th, 2011
9:54 pm
Think about the lockout situation. Rookies and free agents aren’t going to know the system until mid-season at best. J-Rock at least knows the system in and out. IF he is 100% and hasn’t lost his burst we should keep him at least one more year. Give him a chance at least to earn his spot on the team. I agree that the contract should be properly incentive laden.
Norwood has looked potentially great at times, just far too few of those times. He hasn’t had much NFL wear and tear, so maybe he still has that potential in him.
hiramsaint
July 9th, 2011
10:36 pm
ken , here is the actual difference between the saints and the faicans 1- 2 nfc champiomship appearences-2- the top rated O year after year-3- the top rated franchise in america-4-a superbowl trophy-5-addressed the D deficiences in the draft- 6-one of the top o-lines in the nfl-7-better colors than all nfc south teams! what do the failcans have to counter with???? back to back to back winning seasons for the 1st time in history[snicker snicker] and 2 playoff losses and ZERO wins. i know it’s hard for you to deal with the fact that over the past 5 years the saints have owned the failcans but this is your reality kenny and it appears you will have to deal with it for a bit longer. it really seems that you are jealous of what we did in the draft for our D and how the 3 stooges threw your draft in the garbage for a reciever that could have been picked up in f/a. now there is barely any time for the failcans to rebuild the D that we all saw get sliced and diced against the #6 seed packers. i’ll bet that after the most stupid draft move since ditka/williams and the failcans go 7-9 , that smitty and demitty will be coaching h/s in 2012.
Go Away Saints
July 10th, 2011
1:37 am
No more Norwood. Glad he’s an avid angler, he catches more fish than he does touchdown tosses.
The problem never has been the gas in the tank, it’s always been the wheels on the van.
Enough already. Yeah his knee is always fine for a few games. Then he breaks right on down.
Let the young and healthy Quizz take the job. He doesn’t fumble and doesn’t miss games.