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Thursday, September 11, 2008
Norwood’s role with team expanding
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No, Jerious Norwood didn’t strut into a defensive meeting and tell DC Brian VanGorder that he wanted a spot at linebacker or maybe even free safety.
But the way Norwood covered kicks last week, who knew the fleet running back knew how to tackle.
Norwood made two special teams tackles against Detroit and got his bell rung, one time covering kickoffs.
Putting Norwood, perhaps the fastest player on the team, on the kickoff coverage units shows the importance that the new staff is placing on special teams play.
On Sunday, against Tampa Bay, the return games will be key.
Norwood almost broke a kickoff return against Detroit and Adam Jennings is doing much better on punt returns.
Tampa Bay’s Dexter Jackson, of Dunwoody and Appalachian State, returns both kickoffs and punts for the Bucs. Jackson is a dangerous return man.
He had a 33-yard kickoff return last week and a 14-yard punt return.
Last season, Tampa Bay’s Michael Spurlock had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the 37-3 Bye-Bye Petrino Bowl. It was the franchise’s first kickoff return of a touchdown in 32-seasons of existence and helped them clinch the NFC South.
With Norwood playing a much bigger role in the offense, should he be covering kickoffs? Do you think Jennings will return a punt for a touchdown? Can the Falcons coverage units handle the electrifying Jackson?
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