By: T. Love
With second-year man Jerious Norwood suffering from extreme cramps and veteran Warrick Dunn still not up to game speed after having surgery on a herniated disc prior to training camp, rookie Jason Snelling will get the call at running back for the Falcons when the team heads to Buffalo for its second preseason game on Friday night.
Selected in the seventh round out of Virginia, Snelling was drafted to be a short-yardage back that could run behind fullback Ovie Mughelli and a quasi-beefed up line. As we have learned by now, Bobby Petrino’s offense calls for a big powerful running back and neither Norwood or Dunn fit the bill. Anyone else wish we would have held on to T.J. Duckett?
During his collegiate career, he took a medical redshirt as a sophomore and also missed a couple of games due to his battle with epilepsy. Now that the situation is under control, he appears ready to earn his keep on the professional level.
Snelling was impressive in his first NFL action when he racked up 48 yards on 10 carries to lead all Falcons’ rushers. He also caught three balls out of the backfield for twelve yards. When given a chance to play last Friday, he showed that he could be more than a short yardage back and has a little speed once he gets to the second level.
With the starters scheduled to go into the second half of tomorrow’s game, Snelling needs to continue to run hard between the tackles, show the ability to bounce a play outside and be able to help in pass protection. Those three things should secure a roster spot and keep the Falcons deep at running back.
It is unknown at this time if Norwood will be able to go on Friday, but if not, journeyman Arlen Harris who played with the Lions last year will get a chance to show his stuff.
1 comment so far ↓
Let me preface by saying I’m a fan of Norwood. I’ll take speed over strength any day, anybody who’s played organized football will tell you the same.
That said…What the f*ck are “extreme” cramps. That just sounds like an Atlanta Falcons injury.
I’m aware it’s pre-season, and players come up with all kinds of reasons to not be bothered by having to play in games that don’t mean anything.
But Jerious, seriously, get your sh*t together, I want to see you scoring touchdowns, not become the spokesman for a product with “wings”.
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