Don't look now, but training camp for Jacquizz Rodgers and the Atlanta Falcons is just two weeks away. And in one of the more intriguing local storylines of the 2013 NFL season, Rodgers will be joined on the Falcons by another former Oregon State Beavers running back, Steven Jackson.
Jackson, who spent the first nine seasons of his career with the?St. Louis Rams, voided his contract with the Rams in the offseason and signed a 3-year, $12 million deal with the Falcons. Jackson will be 30 years old when the season begins; Rodgers will be 23.
Similar to the backfield platoon that Rodgers was in last season with Michael Turner, Rodgers' share of carries?in 2013 will likely look the same. Rodgers handled 28.4 percent of Falcons' carries last season while Turner had 66.4 percent. Comparatively, Jackson handled 70.4 percent of the Rams' carries. Jackson's load will almost assuredly be reduced this season.
Here's an early look at some of the chatter coming out of Atlanta surrounding both Rodgers and Jackson as training camp nears:?
? Dave Choate of The Falcoholic writes about why he thinks the Falcons should think about splitting Rodgers out wide:
Why line Rodgers up outside? The short answer: Because it makes the offense more dynamic. The long answer: Because Rodgers has quality hands, because he can make plays in space and because the Falcons aren't exactly thick with top-flight receiving options once you get down the depth chart.? Robert Stephens of Blogging Dirty writes about how the Falcons plan on limiting Jackson's rushing load prior to the regular season, and how it will affect Rodgers:
What I am excited for ... is seeing Jacquizz Rodgers take on the role of the every down back. Rodgers will enjoy getting a copious amount of opportunities to prove himself while he will probably be leading the run game for the majority of the pre-season games. He?ll also be getting the majority of the snaps during training camp.? D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranks the top 25 players on the Falcons, and in at No. 19 is Rodgers:
Running back Jacquizz Rodgers will again figure prominently in the attack as he split time with free-agent signee Steven Jackson. ...? For Sporting News, Ledbetter also has a training camp preview. He gives the Falcons' running backs a B+ and quotes an opponent talking about Rodgers:?When I get in the game, I?m going to try to make my plays and try to get my number called more often,? Rodgers said after last Tuesday?s minicamp practice. ?I?ll try to make every carry and every catch count.? ...
The Falcons view both backs as three-down running backs, who don?t necessarily have to leave the field in obvious passing situations.
"(Jacquizz) Rodgers, pound for pound, might be the toughest player in the league." ... Rodgers had a productive season catching the ball out of the backfield in 2012, but the Falcons insist that he's not just a third-down back and don't mind running him between the tackles. He had 764 yards from scrimmage on 147 touches last season.? Daniel Cox of atlantafalcons.com writes about the connection Rodgers and Jackson have made in their short time together on the Falcons, and how Rodgers is "helping Jackson in trasition":
Rodgers said during June's minicamp having a guy like Jackson around is a great thing because he can see how hard the running back works in practice to get better. Rodgers is also helping his new backfield mate whenever he can.? ESPN.com projects Rodgers to rush for 396 yards and one touchdown while also reeling in 41 passes for 345 yards and another touchdown:?Since he doesn?t know the playbook as well, he asks me questions and I help him out with it," Rodgers said. "Our playbook (has) so much up-tempo. We (often) run our offense no huddle, so I help him out when I can.?
At 5-foot-6, 196 pounds, Rodgers doesn't have the size be a three-down back, right? Wrong, says Mike Smith. The Falcons head coach directly took on that notion this offseason, confessing that he once held that belief but no longer does. ... It's entirely possible that Rodgers, who's had just one game of 10-plus carries in his first two seasons, emerges as a high-level handcuff in '13.? ESPN.com is projecting Jackson?to rush for 976 yards and nine touchdowns.
Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2013/07/nfl_training_camp_what_theyre.html
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