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DEL.ICIO.USJerious’ chance to ‘go the distance’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Flowery Branch — The name’s Jerious. Rhymes with “various,” which represents the number of ways Bobby Petrino plans to deploy him. In the exhibition opener Friday, the coach wants to see his tailback run between the tackles. Back in training camp next week, the schedule calls for a heavier regimen of pass-catching.
The coach, see, is intrigued. The coach has never coached a running back who can run like Jerious Norwood. “Once you see his speed and his ability to cut, it excites you,” Petrino said Wednesday. “He can go the distance. It’s hard to have long drives, so you need big plays. He gives us that chance.”
The name’s Jerious. Doesn’t rhyme with “serious,” but it very well could. On a team in almost daily flux, Jerious Norwood is about to become a seriously stabilizing force. He gave indications as a rookie; in Year 2, he should provide living proof.
“Everyone on the team is important right now,” Norwood said, but that’s modesty talking. With Michael Vick elsewhere, Warrick Dunn rehabbing his realigned back and Alge Crumpler hurting, the Falcons’ offense looks understaffed. Norwood could change that perception in a hurry, and he’s pretty good at hurrying.
The name’s Jerious. Rhymes with “nefarious,” which is how opposing defenses figure to regard him in Petrino’s offense. For reasons best known to Greg Knapp, Norwood was limited to 12 catches — and Dunn to 22 — in 2006. This despite Norwood’s conspicuous capacity to run fast in open spaces. This despite Norwood’s assertion that “my hands are some of my best aspects.”
Be advised this won’t happen again. Of Petrino’s sounder, saner scheme, Norwood said: “I like it. … It’s a spread offense. We’ll throw the ball to the backs and throw it deep.”
The name’s Jerious. Doesn’t rhyme with “delirious,” though the man himself plays football in something approaching a giddy state. “Every time I go out on the field, I try to make things happen,” he said. “I’m a playmaker.” Also this: “I don’t think about missing a protection or a read — I go out there to have fun.”
Norwood concedes his blocking needs a little work, but he’s working. And if he can demonstrate the capacity to pick off blitzing linebackers, there’s no reason he won’t be on the field an awful lot this autumn. Even when Dunn is fully healed, Petrino envisions his tailbacks not just as a tag team but as a tandem.
The name’s Jerious. Rhymes with “hilarious,” and if you’re a Falcons fan you should roundly enjoy the sight of two swift backs fanning out in pass routes. (Funny how the West Coast Offense never seemed to allow for such a double-up concept.) If you’re a Falcons fan and you’ve suffered through this deflating offseason, Norwood and his inherent potential remain reasons to keep hope alive.
Aspirations? Norwood cited these: “Hopefully I’ll break 1,200 yards [rushing], and the ultimate goal is to go to the Super Bowl.”
The name’s Jerious. Doesn’t rhyme with “imperious,” nor should it. Norwood is an upbeat and unadorned guy who doesn’t think it’s all that hot — he’s from Mississippi, where it likewise can get steamy — and who recognizes the opportunity at hand.
From a Round 3 draftee by a team that already had Dunn and T.J. Duckett, Norwood is, as he said, “as of right now the starting man.” Petrino won’t commit to him remaining the No. 1 tailback when Dunn returns — the 32-year-old has a mighty impressive body of work - but this savvy coach clearly sees the younger man as a massive asset in 2007 and beyond.
The name’s Jerious. Doesn’t really rhyme with much else. But his middle name rhymes with “breakout fall,” which is what Jerious Montreal Norwood is primed to have.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Mark Bradley
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By NASCARfan
August 8, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
Mark, what you’re forgetting is that the TRUE West Coast Offense readily employs running backs catching passes? Who can forget Craig, Rathman, Watters, or even today, Westbrook? No, it is only in Greg Knapp’s flawed, unimaginative and predictable scheme that he took two great weapons away from Michael Vick in order to what? Sabotage the offense? Or just because his ego was so damn big he couldn’t change?
Regardless, I like Petrino and his system. It’s sound and it is imaginative and unpredictable. Exactly the OPPOSITE of a Greg Knapp offense. What an idiot that guy was.
By Ben S.
August 8, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
Good column Mark. I am curious to see what Norwood could do w/ 20-25 carries a game. He is very exciting to watch.
By Dennis
August 8, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
Jerious went to the head of my ‘A’ list when he single handedly killed the Florida Gators while he was at MS State, and I was one of the few who seemed happy we drafted him. Barring injury, I believe he will excel in the years to come.
By Brian
August 8, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
Norwood is going to have a huge year if he stays healthy. He will be the premier back in the NFC South over what’s his name.
By blaze
August 8, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this
RB is a very interesting position to watch this year for the Falcons. Norwood is currently the starter & we all know from the last season what an incredible playmaker he is, much more adding Dunn in the mix. If Harrington can pick up in the passing game where Vick left off…….I have no doubt that Norwood, Dunn, FB Mughelli will surpass last year’s illustrious run game
I’m excited about our team this year b/c Petrino is a smart coach, I believe his system will work. He has already impressed by putting together an all-star staff….well just have to wait & see if our playmakers will execute!!!!
By honest_abe
August 8, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this
nice column mr. bradley i thoroughly enjoyed it.
By Steve T
August 8, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this
Let’s not bury Vick just yet. As soon as this story broke, my spirits were troubled. I was troubled because I did not or could not believe Vick was involved. I have never met Vick in person, but everything I ever heard about him reminds me of myself. I know that no one is perfect, but I believe that Vick is a man after God’s own heart. Vick has helped a lot of people and he doesn’t seem to be bad guy.
I had to pray a lot about this situation. I know the evidence seem to be stacked against Vick and I was hard pressed to find an answer. However, I believe that God can lead us to answer and we may not always understand what he is trying to show us. But if continue to believe we will understand.
For some reason, I kept dreaming about this woman with a knife and dogs. The woman had committed murder but I was the one the police was after. I told him that I did not do it, but no one believed me. This dream has been recurring for weeks. I was puzzled by this dream. I could not understand it until today.
Peta is a very large organization. They have money and it is known that they will do anything to get laws passed. I read that one member of Peta stated that animal liberation is their goal by any means necessary. I believe that PETA plant those dogs.
Let us think about. No one could find a witness but a guy shows up. He knows the location of where the dogs are buried but he never been on the property. It did not add up. I hope that Vick lawyer will have those dogs examined for the cause of death.. I am curious to see the cause and how they die. My may be surprised that they were have some poison in their system. Then we may find this poison at PETA.
By Connie Lingous
August 8, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this
I believe he was a 3rd round pick Mark. A steal in either 2nd or 3rd round.
By Mike
August 8, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this
Steve, From one Vick (on the field) fan to another- You sound like you’ve got some serious issues. But, anyway Jerious is not build to pound the ball. He’s better used in open space, like Reggie Bush. If Petrino pounds him, he’ll be hurt in about three games.
By NASCARfan
August 8, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this
Mike,
People have been saying that about Warrick Dunn for years, and said it about Tiki Barber, too. Give it up. It’s not the size of the body, but the heart, Mike.
By Ken Strickland
August 8, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this
I want everyone to keep an eye on Joey Harrington. In Detroit, he was asked to carry a team put together by a GM that doesn’t have a clue. The team has been in desperate need of OL, and he keeps drafting WR’s. They haven’t have a running game since Barry Sanders left. And he left because of sorry mgt. So far, based on reports, Harrington is having some trouble throwing the very passes that are critical to Petrino’s system. If he improves on those throws, our passing attack, and our OFF, will be good.
Personally, I am really excited about the potential of our DEF. All of our weaknesses have been addressed, especially our depth. Even as a rookie, I believe DE JAnderson will have a better season than PKearney had the last 2yrs he was here. JAbraham will have more impact this season, and will suffer fewer injuries. We have seriously upgraded our secondary, especially CB and FS. We’ve definitely upgraded our LB corp across the board.
Don’t be suprised if the Falcons do what the Saints did last yr. The Saints, and RBush, won’t catch anyone by supprise like they did last yr.
By D-Man
August 8, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
Very Good Ken Strickland,
I think Norwood will be a raw threath this year, and I am one that hopes surely if Vick isn’t here that D.J. takes the helm I feel he’s the only one that can step in and put fire into this team like before and not Harrington, I am not stating I don’t like the guy but I don’t feel his game is the one this team needs, we need Shockley to be the one….the starter!!
By Drew
August 8, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this
Jerious played hard without complaining on a horrible Mississippi State team. I hope he can have success and stay healthy, he is a great guy with enormous talent.
Also, I saw an article where they ranked the Falcons 30th out of 31 teams. Everyone believes that an 8-8 record would be the coaching job of the year. Looking at the D-line, lack of playmakers at WR, and uncertainty at QB, I have to agree. Why have we not cut Vick yet??
By dirtybyrd
August 8, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this
joey has to rely on those frt guys blocking if not he goes down,if that happens he is out…. period now on fri night when dj gets his chance as coach p has said the only way to grade him is in real time to see if he can make things happen like vick did.ability to take off for 30 yds or run out of pocket to complete the pass down field to a open receiver , yes folks all these questions will be answered by the end of game. jerious we already know if he get thru the line yep watch out he will be gone!! GO YOU DIRTY BIRDS!!!!!!!!!!!!