Rodgers not a ‘change-of-pace’ running back
Falcons head coach Mike Smith gives running back Jacquizz Rodgers a low five after he rushed for a touchdown in an exhibition game against the Ravens. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
Vivlamore reporting from Flowery Branch.
The Falcons no longer consider Jacquizz Rodgers a change-of-pace running back. They may have drafted the 5-foot-6 Rodgers in the fifth round out of Oregon State last season to give opposing defenses a different look from the stout Michael Turner.
According to coach Mike Smith, Rodgers is an every-down running back. And one the team wants to the get the ball to more often.
“Jacquizz is a player that we’ve got to get him some touches,” Smith said after Tuesday’s practice. “We found out very early once we got him here that he is not a change-of-pace back. He’s a guy who can do all the things that you ask a running back to do. You go out and perform and when he’s had his opportunities, he’s done a nice job.
“It is obvious that we need to try to get him the football. Again, it’s tough a chore sometimes based on how teams are trying to defend us and the guys we have on offense.”
The Falcons are looking to decrease the load on Turner. Jason Snelling, who is out with a lower right leg injury, and Rodgers figure to get some of those carries.
In three exhibition games, Rodgers has 61 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown. He led the Falcons in rushing in two of the three games.
- Chris Vivlamore
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59 comments Add your comment
Chris Vivlamore
August 29th, 2012
3:22 pm
North FLA Falcon, KC: Snelling has a lower right leg injury. He has been working with trainers on the side during practices. He was running at a pretty good clip the other day. I wouldn’t expect him to play Thursday (why risk it?) but my guess is he’ll be ready come opening day.
Chris Vivlamore
August 29th, 2012
3:26 pm
Anderson: Appreciate your post. I thought it was worth saying again the way the Falcons see Rodgers. Plus, with them wanting to decrease Turner’s carries, I thought it was interesting the Smith said they needed to get Rodgers more touches.
Chris Vivlamore
August 29th, 2012
3:29 pm
Mikefalcon63: Not sure what Turner’s cap hit would be (DLed is the numbers man!). I just don’t see the Falcons parting ways with a back who ran for 1,300 yards last season.
Left Coast Dawg
August 29th, 2012
4:02 pm
I lost Turner in my Fantasy Keeper League because I could only protect 4 players (Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Roddy White, and AJ Green). However, I picked up Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore, and Doug Martin as RBs. Not bad, I guess but I’m gonna be hurt if Turner has a better year than last. (oh yeah, also picked up Randy Moss and Tony Gonzales).
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August 29th, 2012
8:29 pm
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Mike Turner
August 30th, 2012
1:36 pm
I have not been at all impressed by Quizz Rodgers. He is definitely not a every down back. I am equally unimpressed with James. I think the Falcons would be better served using Antone Smith rather than Quizz.
BARRY
August 30th, 2012
3:55 pm
Hey Y”all:
I know I said it before, but I am goin to say it again, “Our FAlcons need to go back to the “ZONE RUN BLOCKING SCHEME”. , especially for Jaquiz Rodgers. He is built in the mold of Warrick Dunn who thrived under that scheme. In fact all running backs thrive under a “ZONE RUN BLOCKING SCHEME. AS I said before, check out Houston who is running it now under former Falcon line coach Alex Gibb. Gibb also ran that schemm with during the Denver Broncos Supper Bowl run and successes. Remeber those Broncos years, where it did not matter who was runing the ball, the backs ran over 100 yards a game. We need that scheme here for our Falcon. This combined with our passing game, we would be “UNSTOPPABLE!!”
GO FALCONS!!! THE “PROCESS” CONTINUES.
FALCONS RISE UP!!! IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!
……………………………….” ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!”……………………………..
Robin
August 30th, 2012
4:45 pm
Big fan of Quizz. But a bigger fan of Snelling. Any word on when the man will be healthy?
Mike Bell 790
August 30th, 2012
11:17 pm
FIRST!!!