FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons running back Antone Smith, who suffered a fractured right leg while covering a punt against Carolina on Nov. 16, has started running during his rehabilitation.
“The recovery is going pretty good,” Smith said on Tuesday. “I’m up and running. I’m almost full force, but not quite where I need to be. In time, that will take care of itself.”
Smith is not likely to be cleared when the Falcons open their organized team activities on Tuesday.
“I can’t give you a time table on what they are doing,” Smith said. “But with me, right now, I’m just learning the playbook with everybody else. I’m familiar with some of the things. There are a lot of different techniques and different language.”
Smith said that in addition to running, he’s rehabbing with the training staff every day.
Smith has been a standout on special teams for the Falcons since 2012. Last season he emerged as a big-play threat while scoring five touchdowns on just 36 touches with each score going for at least 38 yards.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
The Falcons are revamping the running back position this season after releasing Steven Jackson and not re-signing Jacquizz Rodgers. They drafted Devonta Freeman in the fourth round in 2014 and picked up Tevin Coleman in the third round of the 2015 draft.
Smith believes that he’s a fit for the team’s new outside-zone blocking scheme.
“It’s a fit for my skill set, but it’s a fit for anybody that wants to run the ball,” Smith said. “They want to run the ball here and that’s the biggest thing. They want to run the ball. I don’t care who’s the running back you want to be in this scheme right here. I’m happy for this scheme.”
Smith is hoping that he can return to full form.
“I hope so,” Smith said. “That was unfortunate that it had to happen. I believe that everything happens for a reason. Maybe God has bigger plans for us this year.”
Falcons running backs coach Gerald Brown, a big supporter of Smith’s, was not retained. Bobby Turner was named the new running backs coach.
“It’s always good to see some new faces,” Smith said. “But after you’ve seen the same faces for the last six or seven years it’s a little tough. People have to move on and roles are forever changing. You just have to adjust and remember what you’re here for.”
Smith was undrafted in 2009 after stellar career at Florida State. He bounced about the league before sticking with the Falcons. He plans to continue his career.
“Nothing has been given to me my whole life,” Smith said. “So why not take it. That’s my attitude to take what is due to me.”
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