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
Go Away Saints
July 10th, 2011
1:38 am
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.
Last I saw, all it took to beat the Saints WAS a 7-9 team. Waaaaahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaa!!!!!
Go Away Saints
July 10th, 2011
1:39 am
“Sliced and diced” by the Seahawks and a QB who nobody seems to remember his name. Pitiful.
Tray M.
July 10th, 2011
2:46 am
Keep Norwood and try him out as a WR,before thinking of letting him go…They stuck with Finneran all these years.But Norwood has been more productive,than Mr.How is he still on the team Brian Finneran!!!!!!
earache
July 10th, 2011
3:10 am
you call him on into the office.. you ask him to bring his playbook with him.. you kindly tell him he has been one of your model players who has never gotten in trouble or disgraced the organization. you ask him to write down about 5 teams he wishes to play for..then you help him get a shot over there to the best of your ability without disrupting the chemistry of the team.. norwood has some left..probably in new england, indianapolis, green bay, eagles.
cut and paste
July 10th, 2011
9:23 am
Leave me alone.
real falcons fan
July 10th, 2011
9:51 am
there are already 2 other backs like rogers on the falcons ,smith and johnson.any who doubt norwoos’s value go back and looik at the preseason game vs jacksonville ,norwood takes a short pass and 50 yds. later its a TD! in 2008 he was the force that kept opp. defenses from doubling our WR. CAN rogers smith or johnson do that, i say NO WAY!WE MUST KEEP NORWOOD OR FACE HIM ON ANOTHER TEAM.
Mel
July 10th, 2011
10:59 am
Yes they should sign him..you Pay him what he is worth but yes you sign him. First off you win in this league with talent, speed, and smarts. What we have to do is just put him in a postion to be effective. He is very good on screens, puts, and kickoffs. Yes we have a food kick and put return guy in Weems but he is not better than Norwood is and thats saying alot givin the fact thats Weems went to the Probowl. I think some of you need to go back and watch the highights of Norwood, because I know alot of you have short memories. This man has mad skills and is the most explosive person on the team. Yes we drafted another back, but understand this is the NFL and guys get injuried all the time, (knock on wood) you can never have enough backs on the team and all our backs do different things and have different skill sets, that is a good thing. Yes I would love to resign Snelling to but he dont return kicks, and he is not fast.. We dont have a reverse guy, or a trick play guy. That’s is what Norwood is pure speed and quicks. Speed kills in the NFL, and I’m just saying you can never have enough Toys
Jalford
July 10th, 2011
11:12 am
Snelling is a solid number two back. Speed is important for every offense but not necessecarily at RB. Use Quiz properly and he will do just fine and JJ can return kicks then pour the available cap room into the defense!! Green Bay scored on everybody so don’t think the D is that far away from Championship level. Get a safety and we are in the Super Bowl!!!!
bama52
July 10th, 2011
2:07 pm
Jacquizz Rodgers can fill the position that Norwood held. We need to focus on free agent defensive linemen.
Steven A.
July 10th, 2011
3:02 pm
Rodgers will be “Reggie Bush like” if this Offensive coordinator figures out his strengths. Let us pray for Mr. Mularky, all eyes will be on him this year.
The Atlanta Falcons have too much talent to be “Dean Smithed” into a low
scoring, unappealing offense.
Steven A.
July 10th, 2011
3:06 pm
Ray Edwards has not yet peaked.His next 5 years should be his most productive. He is only 26 years old. Falcons should sign him as soon
as Free Agency opens. Edwards is 6″5″ 268lbs with great quickness.
Ken Strickland
July 10th, 2011
4:05 pm
STEVEN A-Edwards will also improve once JAbraham leaves and he moves from LDE to RDE, which is the side almost all top pass rushing DE’s are on. I’m not convinced JRogers will be like RBush, although he certainly has the talent. So far, OC MMularkey has been unable, or unwilling, to modify his OFF, or OFF approach, to effectively utilize the special talents of a player like JNorwood, who’s bigger and faster than Bush or Rogers.
BAMA52-While I understand where you’re coming from, I believe we should focus on resigning at least 2 of our 3 FA OLinemen 1st. At 13-3 and winning our division, we proved how well we could do with KBiermann at DE and a limited pass rush. Do you think we can do as well without OT TClabo and/or OG’s JBlalock or HDahl?
We have a far, far better chance of DE KBiermann having a breakout yr at DE than anyone replacing OT TClabo and performing at a Probowl level. It’s highly unlikely we’ll resign both OG’s, and not resigning Clabo would create 2 big changes in our OL, as well as reduce our OL depth. OL ranks as our #1 priority, and DL ranks #2.
The U
July 10th, 2011
7:07 pm
There’re three proven NFL running backs on the team Turner, Snelling and Norwood any other back on the roster is an unproven commodity. This playoff caliber team shouldn’t hitch any significant playing time to a rookie running back not named Mark Ingram.
The U
July 10th, 2011
7:11 pm
Oh I forgot, Norwood will be just fine, got knock some rust off thats all.
Ken Strickland
July 10th, 2011
9:43 pm
GO AWAY SAINTS-you’ll quickly notice how these AINT FANATICS will ignore any and all facts presented about their beloved AINTS, like ignoring facts will magically make them all go away. They definitely don’t want to deal with, or talk about, that historically embrassing whipping they suffered at the hands of the 1st losing 7-9 playoff team in NFL history.
These delusional AINT FANATICS actually believe losing to the Packers, the eventual Superbowl champions, is somehow far worse than losing to the Seahawks, the worst and 1st losing team to make the playoffs in NFL playoff history. And the AINTS sorrier than sorry DEF couldn’t contain the Seahawks 25th ranked OFF.
So by not discussing or responding to any reference to that monumental embarrassment, they can pretend it never happened. They also take the same approach when it comes to discussing or responding to any questions about their BELOVED AINTS numerous issues. I can’t tell you how many time my questions about their SORRIER THAN SORRY DEF, DL, OL, aging secondary, LB’s etc, have gone unanswered.
If they really felt their BELOVED AINTS were as good, or will be as good, as they want everyone to believe, do you think they’d be frequenting our blogs on a daily basis instead of their own?
FalconsFan284
July 10th, 2011
11:58 pm
Hiram, SEENThis—-Here’s a reminder of the 27 potential free agents your Taints will have to try and resign.
Three year players,
OG Carl Nicks – Offered free agent tender
K Garrett Hartley – Signed five-year deal
LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar
LB Anthony Waters
Four year players:
OT Jermon Bushrod – Offered free agent tender
TE Tory Humphrey
RB Pierre Thomas – Signed four-year deal
RB DeShawn Wynn
DT Remi Ayodele – Offered free agent tender
DE Jeff Charleston – Offered free agent tender
LB Marvin Mitchell
S Usama Young – Offered free agent tender
S Chris Reis
Five year players
OT Zach Strief
WR Lance Moore – Offered free agent tender
WR/KR Courtney Roby
TE David Thomas – Offered free agent tender
S Roman Harper – Offered free agent tender
CB Leigh Torrence
Six or more years:
\C Jonathan Goodwin
FB Heath Evans
RB Julius Jones
RB Ladell Betts
LB Scott Shanle
LB Danny Clark
LB Kawika Mitchell
DT Anthony Hargrove
DE/DT Jimmy Wilkerson
S Darren Sharper
S Pierson Prioleau
S Matt Girodano
Hiram you suggested the Taints drafted for all of their needs but the facts show the desperation in your lies. The Taints will, at the very least, suffer several big blows to their depth and lose one or more members from their O-line. Both starting safeties look to be gone and Anthony Hargrove is believed to be looking for greener pastures. It’s foolish to say the Taints are going to be better this season than last.
As I told you both, before last season, the Taints had lost some depth and I was proven correct when the Saints struggled with injuries and eventually got bounced by the Sea Chickens. This season looks like even more talent is going to be found exiting the Taints and landing on rosters around the NFL. Lance Moore, the biggest threat on the Taints receiving corps, will certainly find himself in a different uniform and Anthony Hargrove probably won’t be far behind. Add that two one or two loses on your O-line and that spells a medicore season in the big sleazy!
FalconsFan284
July 11th, 2011
12:01 am
Sorry, that should read; “Add that to one or two loses on your O-line and that spells a medicore season in the big sleazy!”
no
July 11th, 2011
2:39 am
please stop with the Norwood experiment–its a dead end
yungpakman
July 11th, 2011
3:54 am
I think we should keep norwood as a receiver cuz he hes pretty solid hands and ST.Richt 40 times are nothing necuase michael jenkings ran fast at the 40 nd is preety lousy with dat beein ced i think noorwood should be a receiver that would just make our offense more explosive
lamar
July 11th, 2011
9:26 am
Slot receiver,RB,creates havoc for DEFENSE.Too much speed & elusiveness for DEFENSES too cover one on one.Get creative offensive Guru,to redesign OFFense.
D-Bird
July 11th, 2011
9:34 am
D-Leb! Let him go! Norwood can go anywhere he wants at this time. I assure injury prone bug will follow him. Speeds kills on the field and not in the trainning room! Bye Bye Norwood.
Section 108
July 11th, 2011
12:42 pm
If you can get him at a cheap base salary and a suped-up incentive package, do it. If not, cut the cord.
SaintsFan284
July 11th, 2011
10:07 pm
I’m with you bro. The Saints are gonna rock the falcants world again this year! GEAUX SAINTS