UPDATE: Jason Snelling signs one-year contract
- Atlanta Falcons running back Jason Snelling (44) runs into the end zone past Arizona Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson for the first of two touchdowns during 2nd quarter action for a 17-7 lead at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (Curtis Compton/Ccompton@ajc.com)
UPDATE 6:15 P.M.
FLOWERY BRANCH — Running back Jason Snelling signed a one-year contract with the Falcons on Sunday and took part in the team’s evening walk-through.
Snelling jump right into the action and ran strong on his carries.
After practice, he spoke with the media:
Q: How did it feel to get back out there today?
A: It felt good. I’m just happy to be back with the Falcons and to start playing football again. That was my objective, to starting playing football and that’s what I’m doing.
Q: Do you feel like you missed anything? Or, did you just have to take care of your business first?
A: I definitely wanted to get back on the field as soon as I could. I think it will be a lot easier knowing the offense. I plan to jump back in there quickly. It won’t be long before I get everything back down. I’ll be ready to roll.
Q: Did you talk to the Rams, Chiefs and the Giants?
A: I talked to the Rams and Chiefs. I just went up there (New York Giants) for a workout. Just normal free agency stuff.
Q: It seemed like the free agency market for running backs was different than in the past. Did you sense that?
A: It was a little bit of a slow market for running backs as well as for other positions. That’s just how it is. Those things happen. I’m where I want to be. I’m ready to play football.
Q: Where have you been? What have been doing in the offseason?
A: Working out. Spending some time with my family. Just enjoying that time. Just trying to stay in shape mentally and physically because I knew eventually I’d be back out here and I’d have to jump back into it.
Q: Did the guys welcome you back?
A: Oh most definitely. I’ve got a great relationship with this group of guys. I’ve been with the team for four years. We’ve built something special here. I’m glad that I’m going to be a part of it moving forward.
Q: Coach [Mike] Smith said the competition at running back is going to be fierce. What do you have to do to retain your spot?
A: I have to come out here and compete. You’ve got to do that every year. You have to do that to make yourself better. You can never take any plays off and think that you’ve got a job. Everyone out here is hungry. I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve done these past years and keep working hard.
PREVIOUS POST: Snellling agreeing to terms on one-year contract
FLOWERY BRANCH — Running back Jason Snelling agreed to terms on an one-year contract with the Falcons on Sunday.
After four productive seasons, Snelling has elected to return to the team that drafted him in the seventh-round out of Virginia in 2007.
He tested the free agency waters and had dealings with the Rams, Giants and Chiefs.
The Rams elected to sign former Falcons running back Jerious Norwood and former Tampa Bay running back Cadillac Williams. The Giants re-signed running back Ahmad Bradshaw. The Chiefs signed fullback Le’Ron McClain.
Snelling, 27, has played in 51 games and rushed for 1,042 yards on 257 carries and scored seven touchdowns. He has caught 82 passes for 651 yards and four touchdowns.
He served as the Falcons’ primary back for half of the 2009 season as Michael Turner battled a high right-ankle sprain.
Snelling ran for 147 yards in the victory over Tampa Bay on Jan. 3, 2010, that secured the franchise’s first back-to-back winning seasons. Last season, he amassed 186 total yards (129 rushing, 57 receiving) against Arizona on Sept. 19.
Snelling has been durable, too. He has missed four games over the past three seasons.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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103 comments Add your comment
Waiting for a corner
August 7th, 2011
5:42 pm
This was a good move. I think we have all areas covered, except depth at cornerback. We need to pick up at least 1 more corner while there are still some good ones out there that we can get for cheap. Make a move Falcon Front office!!!
ATLol
August 7th, 2011
6:00 pm
Snelling is a competent all-around RB, not better than Turner. Turner is bigger, faster, and will break through tackles that Snell will not. Snelling is obviously a good receiver out of the backfield, a decent pass blocker, but needs more blocking than Turner does to get positive yards. Snell is a competent 3rd down back, which is a very good thing to have in the NFL. Glad he is back.
Snake Doc
August 7th, 2011
6:29 pm
Snelling should be the starting running back. Better receiver, better running back. Oh well, somethings never change with a fat, slow Turner to hand the ball off to!
falconFanatic
August 7th, 2011
6:42 pm
im glad to see him sign.. it adds depth to the backfield and then the coaches and matt ryan doesnt have to worry about him on blocking schemes for rodgers.. i think they will just use rodgers for passes out of the backfield and screens for this year..
FalconsFan284
August 7th, 2011
6:57 pm
Seenthis—–The Falcons have a mediocre running game? I wouldn’t call three slow moving bags of garbage and Darren Sproles dominant.
Let’s see, Micheal Turner has gone to the Pro Bowl as a rb, not a kick returner. Advantage Atlanta. Ovie went to the Pro Bowl and Heath Evans is gone. Advantage Atlanta. Jason Snelling has a career 4.1 ypc average as opposed to Ingram’s never caried the ball in the NFL. Advantage Atlanta. I’m not sure what you’re looking at but Atlanta has one of the best runningback corps in the NFL and it has only gotten better with the addition of Rodgers. Meanwhile your team traded Reggie “matchup mightmare” Bush for perennial disappointment Sproles. LOL! Didn’t your team finish near the bottom of the league, last season, in rushing? Hmmmmmm…….I just don’t see how they’re better than the Falcons.
hiram—–Your team has lost depth at every level and barely made the playoffs last season. I would suggest that had the Atlanta game taken place two weeks prior than your Saints would have had a nice view of the playoffs from their couches; since Atlanta gave the league the blueprint to your over hyped team.
SeenThis(Moron)B4
August 7th, 2011
7:08 pm
Don’t feed the trolls, FalconsFan284…
hiramsaint
August 7th, 2011
7:19 pm
284 you are a moron , the saints game was played 2 weeks earlier and we beat you in your own dome then the packers did it too. do you even watch football or do you play on one of those old electic vibrating things . my guess is you prefer the vibrator. sproles a perrenial disappointment?????? when???? lost depth at every level. ignorant is no way to go through life son. at least do a miniscule bit of research before you do your best overflowing toilet imitation. i believe you enjoy the taste though!
Falcon Fan For Life
August 7th, 2011
7:26 pm
GT Grad – Snelling faster than turner no way. He does however hit the hole harder than turner but turner is definitely faster.
FFFL
Really?
August 7th, 2011
7:27 pm
@dadirtiestbird was so correct. Rogers vs Snelling…really? no comparison. Snelling is the back up fullback… Rogers couldn’t carry Ovie’s jock let alone sub for him. They are two completely different kind of backs and that is true for Turner as well (they all are quite different in their own value as to what they can do and in the case of Turner and Snelling, what they have done and proven). Worried about Rogers not getting his carries? Really? I don’t think so… it took ~1.5 pages of comments for someone (dadirtiestbird) to show some knowledge of Snelling’s use. Really!
D man
August 7th, 2011
7:45 pm
Falcons lose Dahl, but gain Edwards and Juuuuuullllliiiiiioooooo. We have already won and the season is more than a month away. Go Falcons!!!
Phutbul Specialist
August 7th, 2011
8:00 pm
Enter your comments here
Seattle Falcons Fan
August 7th, 2011
8:01 pm
Smelling provides us with some rest for turner…… Quizz’s role is completely different….. Line quizz up with White, Jones, Douglas, Gonzo and pass
Phutbul Specialist
August 7th, 2011
8:02 pm
WHOOPS. Really? You beat me to the punch. NAILED
FalconsFan284
August 7th, 2011
8:04 pm
hiram—-Tisk, tisk for not being able to understand what I meant. Perhaps you should ask questions, in the future, before you put finger to keyboard and sound like the uneducated dolt you prove yourself to be on here and in life.
First off, it was Atlanta’s defense that allowed your team to win that second game by not being able to generate enough pressure on Brees and having to blitz on most downs. Simply that is not the way a defense or team can defeat the Saints; as Drew is one of the best quarterbacks against the blitz. No, you have to be able to apply pressure from just your down four.
Secondly, the blueprint Atlanta gave the league was to out physical your overhyped defense. Run the ball right at them and sooner or later the Saints fall apart. Remember how your team didn’t win another game after your victory in Atlanta? I’m the first to admit your team did beat us in the Dome but it isn’t the dominating performance you and your simpleton friends make it out to be. If you watched the game3 you would have seen that Atlanta didn’t come out as fired up as your team and they didn’t have as much to play for either.
That simple point apparently needs to be made for you. Atlanta had already locked in a playoff birth and only needed to defeat one more team, either the Saints or the Panthers, to secure homefield advantage. The Saints, by contrast, needed to defeat Atlanta and possibly the Bucs to secure their place. That is why I mentioned that had the game taken place a few weeks before the outcome would have been different. It’s all about motivation.
Now for your team losing at every level; On the O-line you’ve lost Goodwin who has been a stabalizing force for your line. You replaced him with Kruetz who was thinking about retiring no less than two weeks ago. That isn’t exactly an upgrade. Replaced a hard matchup in Reggie Bush with a slower, less shifty Darren Sproles. Mind you Sproles has been mainly used as a kick returner while not exactly scarring anyone in the run game. That’s another downgrade, if you’re keeping score. You replaced Anthony Hargrove, who has been steady if unspectacular, with Shaun Rogers who has been the most inconsistent DT the past three seasons. Another downgrade! Don’t think I forgot that Devery Henderson is another year older and appeared to slow down quite a bit as last season wore on. Yes, that should be considered a downgrade as well. You lost one of your young linebackers in free agency and he was a starter for your sorry team last season, Sorry if I don’t recall every single player on your roster off the top of my head but you can look it up kid. Againt losing depth and a starter is a downgrade. Lastly, where is Darren Sharper these days? He has been the only real consistent take away threat for the last three seasons in your secondary. Replacing him with a player that spent the last season as a corner doesn’t mean an increase in production. Especially when that same player, Jenkins, was one of the players tossed aside by Marshawn Lynch. Now, that is every level of your defense and every level of your offense, save for qb, that has seen a downgrade in talent. Therefore, it is reason to surmise, the Saints will not be as good as last season. And that concludes your education for the day.
bigcalidawg
August 7th, 2011
9:06 pm
This man was a late round pick that got no respect, until we saw him play. Frankly, I feel better about him totin’ the rock than Turner.
Remember that game at NY, against the Jets, in the snow!? He killed it!
Norwood was electric, but came along about as often as lightening. I love Norwood, but he should have been cut last year. I wish we could keep Snelling after Turner “Burners” out.
This Gets Old
August 7th, 2011
9:06 pm
You guys don’t bite on these “fans” of other teams who come here seeking attention. Geeky little nerds with no self esteem and fewer friends.
DON’T FEED THE TROLLS
hiramsaint
August 7th, 2011
9:12 pm
whats the matter dol- still can’t handle the truth? why all the blockage?
SeenThisB4
August 7th, 2011
10:14 pm
284: Why do you paint the Saints’ castaways in such glowing terms, but when they were here, you claimed they were old and useless?. Example Henderson and Sharper. Henderson’s still here, so now he’s older and slower (by the way his drop off in production toward the end of the year pales in comparison to TG’s dropoff in the same period) Sharper’s gone (who you were bad mouthing less than two weeks ago) and now you say the Saints were dependent on him, which is far from true sine he opened last season on the pup list and ended it on IR. Reggie’s gone, but at least we got something in a trade for him, what did your falcan’ts get for Norwood? Zip. Goodwin’s gone, but he was brought in to replace our last center that went to Tampa, just like Olin, a proven veteran. In fact the Saints have broughtr in proven veterans in every sot we lost someone and upgraded spots where they haven’t.
You’re reaching and grasping at the wind and making things up. Almost as if, you’re running scared!
eM
August 7th, 2011
10:52 pm
284 just took HeRamSaints to the wood shed. Oh but I see HeRamSaints lover showed up to take up for him. What a cute couple.
Rikus
August 7th, 2011
10:56 pm
Wooooohoooooooooo!! Welcome back Jason. We missed you!
SaintsUptown
August 7th, 2011
11:38 pm
Snelling is wack I can’t believe they resigned this guy. I thought they were trying to win the division? This is no way to do that.
FalconsFan284
August 8th, 2011
12:51 am
Seen—-You have me confused with Ken as all I have said, or more appropriately been able to say, is that the Saints have lost most of their depth over the past two seasons. Also, I said that Sharper was your only real consistent play maker. You really have nothing else in your argument worth mentioning aside from being totally wrong about Tony Gonzalez. But, you’re a Saints fan and we cannot expect any form of objectivity from you. It’s really no surprise to me.
Since you made the charge that you actually think you have upgraded every position with a proven veteran then why not explain yourself?
Whose is proven, at safety, that will be replacing Darren Sharper? What about the vet replacing Shantle? Anthony Hargrove? Heath Evans? etc? Good ahead, I’m waiting.
clay
August 8th, 2011
2:31 am
this was a great sports day all around for the city of atlanta
hiramsaint
August 8th, 2011
5:02 am
still can’t handle the truth d-led ?
elmer was here
August 8th, 2011
5:04 am
i told you i’m nowhwere
Danno
August 8th, 2011
7:10 am
Looks like the boys of last year have returned! We should be power packed with a lil somthing extra for them this year! (Julio)!
joe white
August 8th, 2011
8:26 am
Glad to have jason back, he is a big key to our offense and give mike valuable rest.Now with him johnson and rogders and of course burner turner, we are ready to go and win this superbowl. Julio has country speed period,the boy can fly
dean
August 8th, 2011
8:44 am
And 284 lands ANOTHER Bich-Slap to Seen
PMC
August 8th, 2011
9:30 am
Thank You Jason Snelling! I know it’s not what you wanted financially but its better than most jobs you can take, and you are appreciated here!
PMC
August 8th, 2011
9:37 am
This is good because @27 Snelling is going in the peak of his career mentally and physically. He’s obviously a backup but he’s been in the system 4 years and he’s proven that he can help the team even when pressed into the starting role. Snelling gives this fan anyway a lot more confidence because they aren’t going into the season with only Michael Turner and hope’s that Jaquizz Rodgers can play.
Section 121
August 8th, 2011
9:41 am
D. Orlando or anyone else, how does Gartrell Johnson look in practice at RB?
SaintsFansAreFunny
August 8th, 2011
10:46 am
I don’t understand why you guys continue to respond to Saints fans on your own blog. If you wouldn’t acknowledge them, they wouldn’t be here. I don’t mind talking football with other team’s fans, but Saints fans live in 2009 and are not capable of being objective at all. If you guys would just stop responding to them, this blog would be much better.
Good signing
August 8th, 2011
11:38 am
Need Snelling back in the mix….strong player, but i feel one year contract means he’s just waiting for big payday next year with someone else.
Why are Saints fans here?
August 8th, 2011
11:40 am
Go to Ain’ts blog
Any Falcons drop yet from heat?
August 8th, 2011
11:42 am
or are they on the baby practice schedule?
Ted M
August 8th, 2011
11:47 am
great move for the Falcons…we need him.
how’s Jazz doin in camp
FalconsFan284
August 8th, 2011
11:47 am
Looks like those Saints fans have run home to mommy with their tails tucked between their legs.
BreeusChrist
August 8th, 2011
12:04 pm
284,
Keep pipe-dreaming, son! The Falcons are fraudulent as ever…what will be the excuses this year after another (pending) season/post-season disappointment?
But hey…root for your team; you’re suppose too. But must yall be so delusional?
You guys are getting just as bad as UGay fans…lmao!
iceBIRDcold11
August 8th, 2011
12:06 pm
The Snell came out of the shell………………..Cornerback us next……………….IBC11
BreeusChrist
August 8th, 2011
12:08 pm
We Own the FailCan’ts..therefore this is our blog as well…lol
Just like UF owns UGA
iceBIRDcold11
August 8th, 2011
12:11 pm
Do the Saints have a web page? Do they blog? Must not be much going on over there if someone is spending lunch with us………..He got a Falcon I could have gotten a Falcon too.
BreeusChrist
August 8th, 2011
12:19 pm
IceBird!
Yeah man…we do. Every team does, but just like the teams are in training camp now, consider this our training camp/pre-season hype-smack talk…Its all love brother. God needs the Devil and the Saints need the Falcons (and vice versa)
Lmao…that commercial is funny as heck too!
falconsrelax
August 8th, 2011
12:27 pm
Some of you don’t know what your talking about. Snelling is not better than turner. When turner is healthy hes top 5 easy. No. 3 in rushing and had like 12 TDs. You think snelling as a starter could do the things turner does? Its different when your playing BACKUP and when your “THE RB.” Marion Barber fever, boys thought they had a top RB in barber but that wasn’t the case. Case was that when your backing up and coming in a game where defenses are tired and don’t really gameplan for you it makes your job easier.
Glad to have Snelling back but some of you are really sour falcon fans talking about turner that way as if snelling is god or something. Snelling is just a good back up. Turner is our guy PERIOD. Now if snelling can mature into a starting Rb under Turner same way Turner did under LT then fine. But right now Turner is way ahead of snelling. Not even close
FalconsFan284
August 8th, 2011
12:38 pm
BreeusChrist—-First, I like how your screen name ends; with Christ. Always the forerunner of my day.
Secondly, I have been very objective about my team and the areas where we could improve. It remains to be Seen if a Saints fan can be as objective or not.
Why don’t you look at my argument and tell me where I am wrong in my thinking? Then go look at the depth chart for each team and tell me honestly which one is deeper. The fact is that the Saints had the easiest schedule in the division last season and still couldn’t manage to win the division. This season they have a depleted depth chart and as many as five new starters on that over hyped defense. That is not a recipe for success.
In order for the Saints to truly have a chance at dethroning Atlanta they(the Saints) would have had to improve their team. That simply did not happen. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that New Orleans is a lesser team this year and will have a much harder schedule than last season. Also, the most improved team in the division are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I’m more worried about them this season and next than I am about a declining Saints team.
Furthermore, if you go back and look at every single game the Saints lost last season it was because the other team simply overpowered your defense. That is something that cannot be fixed by losing starters and replacing them with players that have shown a high level of inconsistency over a number of years; Shaun Rogers. Or by having their backup replace them; JoLaun Dunbar. Or by having a player moved from a different position to replace the leader and emotional inspiration for your defense; Jenkins replacing Sharper. To me it all spells a drop in performance.
Now look at Atlanta and you will see the only players they will be replacing is a punter and a right guard. That’s from a team that went 13-3 last season and has dramatically improved at wide receiver and defensive end. Like it or not but the Falcons have become a better team, while I have already shown just how significantly the Saints have fallen.
iceBIRDcold11
August 8th, 2011
12:53 pm
BreeusBEEFCAKE now hear this:
I just left the Saints web page and I see why you are here. WELCOME AND we real BIRD fans apologize you can’t find joy around your own kind of trash…………..pretty sad and stay as long as you need to. We’ll leave the lights on for you and tell some more of your absent minded friends to join you………………………….IBC11
can't we all just SHUTUP
August 8th, 2011
1:16 pm
play the games allready!
BirdDawg Country
August 8th, 2011
1:19 pm
Can ya smell it…hmmm? Here it is…smell.
Smells like fooball!
BreeusChrist
August 8th, 2011
1:27 pm
so im blocked now?
BreeusChrist
August 8th, 2011
1:37 pm
IceBird
And I thought you were one of the more cooler blogger on here.
Humility will come to you guys sooner or later. You would think that a 13-3 season with promise but dashed hopes in the end, would do that for you…I guess not.
We will be gladly to serve you up some though. New season, new dishes, new recipes, but same ol sorry ass Falcons!
Swamp People
August 8th, 2011
2:47 pm
BreesusChrist- Where yat’ come over to my camelback, im fixin to go gator huntin’ i could use a troll like you to annoy the gators LMAO