AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USJ-Rock might get more of the rock
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Much of the focus with the Falcons this week has centered around improving the running game, for the Tennessee Titans — and beyond.
Today, coach Bobby Petrino and running backs coach Ollie Wilson said backup tailback Jerious Norwood has to start getting more carries.
Norwood has averaged just more than 7 carries a game, which have resulted in 124 total yards (4.3 yards per carry). Norwood also has eight receptions and has been returning kickoffs since Week 2 vs. Jacksonville.
Whether the desire to get Norwood more carries leads to a reduction of totes for starter Warrick Dunn is unknown. The flow of the game will dictate that.
The coaching staff does seem to recognize that the success of the passing game is going to lead opponents not stacking the box with eight players, which could open space for Norwood to re-emerge as Atlanta’s most dangerous game-breaking threat.
Comments
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By BUSHWACKER
October 4, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
I think once we show start showing the 4 and 5 reciever sets it wil open up big holes fro J ROCK and T DUNN, they both can take it to the house.
Too bad D Hall doesn’t want to make the team better by doing whatever the coaches ask!
Come to think of it, he did look good on the runway, walks like a girl, whines like a girl, hits a like girl, maybe he should become a SUPERMODEL!
By FALC_BRAVE_HAWK
October 4, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
between norwood and dunn, norwood should be starting. but, under petrino’s system, ATL needs a jamal lewis type back that can pound at the interior of a defense. then, norwood would be the ideal spell back.
as is the case this year, ATL will have to run more stretch plays off tackle and toss sweeps. norwood and dunn won’t make it through the season running through the teeth of a defense especially the titan’s haynsworth’s.
By charlie rogers
October 4, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
I think the Falcons would be better served with Norwood as #1 and Dunn relieving him. I think that we can utulize each player’s skills better that way. I think now is the time to “pass the guard”. Norwood is so explosive, it is hard to see him on the bench too long. Dunn is adequate, but we need Norwood starting. Also, we need a powerful back to get us the tough yard or two. I see running backs like Edgerrin James and Adrian peterson who fall forward when they get hit. Ours fall back or sideways.
By Rick
October 4, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
DUHH! This is cutting edge stuff.
By BUSHWACKER
October 4, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
I thought it was funny!
By SavannahDawg
October 4, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
About time! Dunn has been great, but his time has passed. We better draft another RB next year.
By long time falcon
October 4, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
So what your telling us is the coaching staff is just now figuring out what most fans already knew from last season. I know this is a new regime but norwood averaged over 6 yards a carry last year with quite a few totes. I know Petrino and staff watched a ton of game film from last season so it shouldn’t be a revelation. Dunn is averaging almost 1 yard less per carry than norwood this season. Plus norwood has game breaking ability that dunn just doesn’t have anymore. Unless we fall way behind to the titans why not try and give it to norwood 20 times and see what he can do this week. It’s not like we have anything to lose because were certainly not going to the playoffs this year anyway.
By JMar
October 4, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
I feel like we’ve heard this before…
By Najeh Davenpoop
October 4, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
About damn time, not only for the Falcons but also for my struggling fantasy team.
By Greg from Marietta
October 4, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
It is about time to get the running game back on track. The passing has come alone nicely. Once we have a balanced attack the defenses can be kept more off balance. It will be interesting to see what progress is made this weekend.
By DaNooch
October 4, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
They should have been giving Norwood more carries from the day he got here. I am a Warrick Dunn fan, but he cannot be an every down back. He is not big or physical enough to carry the ball in short yardage and goal line situations. Also, he is way to inconsistent to get all the carries every game. Look at his entire carreer. When he was in Tampa Bay he always had Alstott getting alot of the carries, especially short yardage and goal line. Since he has been in Atlanta, he has had Duckett (who should have gotten a lot more carries than he did). I like Dunn a lot, but he has his limitations. He is not an every down back. I frankly never understood this ridiculous idea that has taken over in the last ten years or so that a team must have only one running back who gets all the carries. It’s just stupid. If you have more than one good running back, then use them. Why waste that talent just sitting on the bench.
By BUSHWACKER
October 4, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this
never say never LLF, it was just last year or the year before I believe when Baltimore started out something like 0-4 and made the playoffs??
By Mr. Obvious
October 4, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this
Mike Vick might get “some more of the rock” as well before he goes to prison….
CRACK ROCK, that is!
By NASCARfan
October 4, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this
Steve,
Isn’t it one thing to SAY that Jerrius needs to get more carries as opposed to actually GIVING him more carries?
To me, this sounds like the definition of insanity: doing the same the thing, the exact same way, but always expecting different results.
If you know he needs to get more carries, and you SAY that every week, and YOU are the person who controls whether he gets more carries… then dammit, GIVE him more carries!!!
How freaking hard is this to do? Look, I hate to say it, because he’s my favorite player, but Dunn looks like he aged five years in the offseason. His legs don’t have it right now. Jerrius needs to be the guy. It’s that simple.
By Big Bull
October 4, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe Mughelli with those big thighs and bigger contract can’t pound it in there for those 2 or 3 tough yards. If he can’t,then he’s a waste of unbelievable money.Go draft a Brannen Southerland type who can definately get it done.
By jay black
October 4, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this
Why are they not using Ovie Mughelli for the short yardage?
By Singletary
October 4, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this
Dunn may be well into his second NFL decade, but the man is still FLYING when he gets a block. If the line can just give him a hole, he picks up a few extra yards on his own. IF he’s lost a split second, he has MORE than made up the yards with timing, talent and tremedous energy. Is it possible he is more nimble now? That is not to take anything away from JRock, but Dunn’s still got a lot of productive plays — if not entire series — to offer the Falcs.
We’ve missed TJ Duckett since we traded him. I thought that is what OM or another Petrino draftee would bring to the organization: the will- not-be-denied 4 and 2 in the Red Zone.
By dirty byrd
October 4, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
is it me or did jason snelling look real good in preseason against teams #1 defense ,his average per carry was good not sure if they the coaches think he cant protect in blitz pickup or what ,but feel this kid should also see the field this year. i remember bear bryant teams where he would play 6-8 diffrent running backs in a single game and would wear down a defense that stacked the box, its time for coach p to pull some running plays we have not tried yet with other players getting a chance to run the damn ball GO U DIRTY BIRDS!!!
By jay
October 4, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
Open letter to Bobby petrino please go back to the zone blocking scheme at least until you can overhaul the oline with the big bodies you want . its a shame to waste harringtons great QB play when he has no running game to help him.