Falcons part ways with Jerious Norwood
Jerious Norwood on the move.
The Falcons have officially parted ways with running back Jerious Norwood, according to his agent Bus Cook.
“We just talked (to the Falcons) a little bit and he’s got to move on,” Cook said this morning in a phone interview. “Hopefully he can stay healthy.”
Cook said yesterday teams were mostly working on rookie deals and said he had some calls about Norwood, who is hoping to re-sign with another team.
“If he can stay healthy, he is a great player,” Cook said. “I hope it works out for him because he’s an even greater person. You know that.”
Norwood (5-11, 209) 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.
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 suffering a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
As a receiver, Norwood caught 12, 28, 36, 19 and one passes.
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.
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 talking to the St. Louis Rams.
The Falcons now have nine running backs on the training camp roster.
RUNNING BACKS (9)
22 Jacquizz Rodgers
27 Gartrell Johnson
32 Philip Sylvester
33 Micheal Turner
34 Ovie Mughelli
35 Antone Smith
40 Thor Merrow (Buford High)
42 Lucas Cox (Georgia Tech)
44 Jason Snelling
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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109 comments Add your comment
All I'm Saying Is....
July 28th, 2011
11:33 am
Loved what Norwood brought to the table when he was healthy. Hope he gets picked up…by an AFC team. Can’t coach speed and it’s even harder to defend so hope Rogers steps in and fills that need for us.
LET’S GO FALCONS!
Matt Ryan highly overrated
July 28th, 2011
11:36 am
They think (Falcons) they can win with what they have Wrong!!!!
YoAdrian
July 28th, 2011
11:39 am
Lucas Cox played at Tech not Georgia
JChikara
July 28th, 2011
11:40 am
I knew that Norwood’s days were numbered when they drafted Rodgers who can fill that speed back they needed last year. My concern is that i’ve heard nothing about what Atlanta is doing about Snelling. Losing him would be a big blow to the running attack.
River
July 28th, 2011
11:50 am
Always liked JN, hate to see him go. Best of luck to him in the NFL and life.
really groovy 50
July 28th, 2011
11:56 am
THIS FALCON TEAM IS ONE YEAR OLDER AND STILL SIGNING OLD GUYS THIS TEAM WILL NOT HAVE a winning season this year the defense sux, they give up 48 to green bay in atlanta and have not upgraded the defense yet , NEW ENGLAND WON THE SUPER BOWL TODAY TRADING FOR HAYNESWORTH BELICHICK IS THE BEST AND BRADY WILL HOIST THE SUPER BOWL TROPHY IN FEBRUARY 2011 I WILL BET MY HOUSE ON IT.
A Norwood Fan
July 28th, 2011
11:56 am
I wish Jerious the best of luck on his future. I really enjoyed watching him play especially since I’m not a Falcons fan! From one Norwood to another, it ain’t over until it’s over!!
really groovy 50
July 28th, 2011
11:57 am
I MEAN FEBRUARY 2012
Hollywould
July 28th, 2011
11:58 am
Good luck Jerious/ now sign SNELLING
really groovy 50
July 28th, 2011
11:58 am
NORWOOD WILL SIGN WITH DENVER AND GET A 1000 YARDS
really groovy 50
July 28th, 2011
11:59 am
DOES ATLANTA GET A FIRST ROUND PICK NEXT YEAR.
really groovy 50
July 28th, 2011
12:00 pm
WHAT ABOUT THE OFFENSIVE LINE?
really groovy 50
July 28th, 2011
12:01 pm
THEY SIGNED 2 OVERRATED LINE BACKERS
move on
July 28th, 2011
12:14 pm
no big deal–he never did anything.
D man
July 28th, 2011
12:17 pm
Great player when he is not hurt or playing scared.
EKII
July 28th, 2011
12:19 pm
First priority is to re-sign Snelling. Power back, good speed, great hands, and a Hoo.
chickenman
July 28th, 2011
12:20 pm
i dont understand what we are doing…. SIGN SOMEBODY we have no 1st rounder this year… i cannot believe we are returning the same defense who got shredded week after week… our starting d/e is filming on real housewives for christ sake… this falcon fan is beginning to panic
Bird Droppings
July 28th, 2011
12:22 pm
That reminds me…I’m gonna grab some chicken legs for lunch.
Techster
July 28th, 2011
12:38 pm
I thought that we signed Noel Devine as well? Was that someone else?
The Original Falcon Fanatic
July 28th, 2011
12:47 pm
Noel Devine gave us the finger and signed with the Eagles. Who needs him anyway!
Good luck Jerious!
Gotta keep Snelling, he is a beast!
Goober
July 28th, 2011
12:51 pm
The Falcons will be 8-8 maybe 9-7 at best.
Joshua Barlowe
July 28th, 2011
12:56 pm
Lucas Cox went to Georgia TECH. Its disgusting when AJC writers dont know their facts about local teams (often) And I do hope Norwood gets healthy and has a good career. He’s a good guy.
ToccoaBird
July 28th, 2011
1:05 pm
I wish Norwood the best. I hope he can get on with another team because he is a very nice guy.
True Falcon Fan
July 28th, 2011
1:12 pm
Goober – Falcons could go 3 -13 if if 1,2,3, skilled position players go down early – same goes for the Falcons competion – so my point is when did you become the “Merlin” of the NFL?
Let’s hold off on your “Walking book of knowledge” – say wait and give your opinion after the first 5 games when the season starts, that will tell the story for the Falcons this season!!
Go Falcons
Stevie B
July 28th, 2011
1:16 pm
Loved watching Norwood. I will look forward to seeing him again in another uniform and wish him all the best.
Stevie B
July 28th, 2011
1:19 pm
Really Groovy 50: If you are seeing Brady hold up a trophie in February 2011, you really need to get back on your medication.
Gritz Blitz's annoying cousin
July 28th, 2011
1:22 pm
D-Led, liked your football career story, most people would have said they were the #1 QB and would have went to a major college if not for women, injures or terrible coaches.
ToccoaBird
July 28th, 2011
1:23 pm
groovy 50 needs to put the bong down and back away slowly
True Falcon Fan
July 28th, 2011
1:26 pm
Stevie B – i am with you all the way re Norwood, very exciting player to watch & especially a very good person!
Go Falcons
ET
July 28th, 2011
1:28 pm
It sure would be nice if “Really Groovy 50″ was to somehow be, oh I don’t know, banned or maybe put on some review list or something for flaming. Yeah, that would be nice…
day old fries
July 28th, 2011
1:30 pm
@gators hater…i was at that game in starkville in 2004…zook was fired the next day…first sec win for croom…msu 38 uf 31…norwood did go off that day.
EddieB
July 28th, 2011
1:46 pm
Hey did Falcon resign Peterson and not go after Rudd or a better younger LB?Peterson should coaching players not playing ball at this point.I like Bear Woods,But he has not played a down in the NFL yet?The Falcons Offense will be as good as anybody in the NFL this Season,But they got to tackle better by working on it this year.They missed 10 sacks or more in the season and 5 against Green Bay in the Playoffs which all were on third downs.And one real bad pass by Mattie Ice.We had a much different game?Birds please bring back Snelling and B.Grimes is so underrated an the longer they wait i`m fear somebody will come up with money we can`t match.OL is concern also with three starters on the line we have to protect Matt.Ray Edwards is still out there too?Not that we have to get him,But another DE will help out?And last i for one believe that the GM we got couple season ago would have Draft like where he came from from so why do we not trade down more often and pick more picks.I`m Sorry but i could pick better Draft picks along with other people out there?New England is great for a reason Folks.Go Birds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ToccoaBird
July 28th, 2011
2:00 pm
We have one of the best GMs in the business. Does anyone remember the mess the falcons were in when TD took over?
falconfiend
July 28th, 2011
2:09 pm
Jerious we will miss you. You put in work for the A. YOUR HEALTH IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FOOTBALL.
Nathan
July 28th, 2011
2:28 pm
I hope there are no hard feelings, and that he can be picked up by another (AFC!) team! And that he continues on with his charitable work!
jerry
July 28th, 2011
2:49 pm
Here comes Peterson like a bat out of hell on a blitz up the middle, Rodgers sidesteps and fires. Touchdown.
mgdawg
July 28th, 2011
2:52 pm
Unfortunately, every falcons fan saw this one coming. And it is ashame, the guy had great speed and I thought at Mississippi St. he showed the durability to go up the middle. I guess it just proves how much harder guys hit in the NFL then in college. Not to mention he is a great guy, I wish him all the best and hope he can stay healthy and prove what a beast he really is.
Fan
July 28th, 2011
3:01 pm
I do not think Norwood was used wrongly… Atlanta knew he had a durable issue and they did not want too over use him. I think people on this blog need too understand the game better… If you gave them too snaps he will get hurt so they did not use him. Now Quizz will be used a lot for them.. Atlanta will make big splash in free agents Friday.. Leave the front office alone or else Mr. Blank will be looking for a new GM and HC next season.. Blank want a Superbowl one way or another folks..
jerry
July 28th, 2011
3:14 pm
I think the Falcons are on the right track building the offense. The greatest defense in the world cannot get the opponent out of its game plan if they are not scored on. Score on them, get them behind, make them abandon the run, and then unleash the pass rush. And if your own defense is terrible, at least you have an offense that can score.
Arch Dawg
July 28th, 2011
3:17 pm
Norwood made it 5 years, his first few years he never really fit in the offense but he still made some great highlights. He just caught some bad luck with the injury bug.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ5BPNovBes here’s a nice little dedication to your service Mr Norwood, good luck in the future.
wrongo
July 28th, 2011
3:22 pm
hey groovy 50 I’ll take you up on that bet that the patriots will be holding the super bowl title in February 2011 seeings to how the packers have already won that I think I may win……..
Freddie G
July 28th, 2011
4:27 pm
I liked Norwood and expected so much more from him, but he just could not stay on the field. The Falcons showed plenty of patience with him, because I expected them to cut him at the start of the 2010 season.
I wish him the best.
Columbus
July 28th, 2011
4:52 pm
Good luck Jerious. I wish things would have went different and you could have avoided the injuries. You are a very good running back and a greater man. Keep the faith!
SnewoDawg
July 28th, 2011
6:14 pm
I’m going to miss you Chicken-Legs, it has been fun watching you high-step down the field like a crunk drum major.
Colorado Bird
July 28th, 2011
6:26 pm
Norwood best to you and thanks for being a falcon. Hope you stay healthy and gain a position on another team-just not one in our division. I have really hoping and pulling for you-sorry it didn’t work out.
phutbul specialist
July 28th, 2011
6:37 pm
Crazy Leggs will find a home some where. He does not and should not do kick returns ever. Not because he can’t, but because his style of running makes him prone to injuries. Out of the backfield he cannot generate the speed as on kick offs for cuts which put him on the shelf last year.
B.G
July 28th, 2011
7:36 pm
@ D. Orlando L what happen between Noel and the Falcons?
Bobby Petrino
July 28th, 2011
7:59 pm
Norwood just wasn’t tough enough. Likes to fish though.
steven A.
July 28th, 2011
8:06 pm
Would not have been so bad if the genius “Dimitrioff” had drafted another running back in addition to
Jaquizz Rodgers. Snelling is as good as gone and Turner is not “the burner’ anymore.
PlanB
July 28th, 2011
8:39 pm
The difference in Belichick and TD. Belichick took a great player that was playing at 70% and got him for a reduced price. Haynesworth’s coaches were down on him and he fought back. Now he feels wanted again and will play 110% for the next couple of years. Belichick will see when he is starting to back up and will trade him for a 1 and 2 and he will be set for another great season or two. TD’s problem is Zero tolerence.
Sign Grimes. Don’t let him get away. He will be Covered WR’s means more sacks.
Spend the money on FA DE. We’re too close to being good not to.