FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons saw running back Jacquizz Rodgers slipping down the fifth-round draft board in April, but were not confident that he would make it to their spot.
So general manager Thomas Dimitroff made a move and traded their fifth-round pick (158th overall) and one of their seventh-round picks (229) to move up 13 spots to select Rodgers, the electrifying back from Oregon State.
He has slowly worked into the third-down role, but may see more action against Seattle on Sunday because Jason Snelling is recovering from a concussion.
In a Q&A with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Rodgers discussed his role on the team and how he’s adjusting to pro football.
Q: How has it been going for you so far?
A: So far, so good. It's been a learning experience, and I'm just trying to get better every week.
Q: How did you feel about playing at crunch time against Philadelphia?
A: My number was called. I just went in the game and tried to make a play to help my team win the game. (He had a 10-yard to set up Michael Turner's game-winning 3-yard touchdown run).
Q: What did you see on that run?
A: It was just a wide-open hole, so I just hit it.
Q: Are you looking forward to going out to the Pacific Northwest since you played at Oregon State?
A: I've got a couple of people coming to the game. It's a chance for some people from my school to come out and check me out on the NFL level.
Q: Are you ready to take more of the load if Snelling can’t play this week?
A: I'm preparing really hard this week, and hopefully that'll have me ready for this game.
Q: Have the veterans helped you get prepared since you didn’t have an offseason program?
A: The guys have been a big help. In our group you can learn from the other guys. [Running backs] coach [Gerald] Brown is doing a great job with helping me get up to speed and with all of the little things.
Q: How are you adjusting to town and living in the Atlanta area?
A: I just found a place and everything. I'm pretty much settled in now.
Q: Have you found some things to do when you do get a break from football?
A: No, I just chill on my off days because that's the only one I have. I'm basically in the house.
Q: Can you be more effective on some screens and draws?
A: We are going to practice and go over the detailed work and go from there. We'll fix all of the little things to help put us in a position to win the game.
Q: What do you all have to do to get the running game going after last week?
A: Anytime you get the running game going, it takes a lot of pressure off our quarterback. Guys have to guard our great receivers that we have. We have to get that rolling.
Q: Have you been getting a lot of ticket requests for this game?
A: Yeah, but I've been dodging them because that [money] is coming out of my pocket.
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