Falcons vs. Saints: Jacquizz Rodgers continuing to improve in Atlanta offense

With four receptions for 53 yards in a Week 9 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers surpassed his 2011 total for receptions and receiving yards in half the games. Perhaps none were more crucial than a 31-yard pass play with under four minutes to play that helped set up a 32-yard field goal for Matt Bryant to put the Cowboys in a late hole.

A fifth-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, Rodgers has out-performed many of the players drafted around him, as many are no longer with their teams just a year and a half later. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan spoke with Daniel Cox of AtlantaFalcons.com about Rodgers on what he brings to the team:

"Quizz is just the consummate role player for our team," Ryan said. "He's not the feature back, we have Mike, but he does so many things for our team in terms of pass protection, running the football, coming out of the backfield and catching some balls for us."

As a running back, Rodgers has accumulated 137 yards rushing on 42 attempts, and as a receiver, he has hauled in 24 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown. He has also contributed as a kick returner, bringing back 11 kickoffs for 294 return yards.