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Atlanta Falcons' running back and kick returner Jacquizz Rodgers' increased production was discussed by head coach Mike Smith during his post-practice session with the media on Friday.
When asked about Rodgers' productivity, Smith went in-depth about how the second-year pro's skills allow the Falcons to get creative with playcalling:
"He's done a very good job for us. His all-purpose yards, when you throw in his kickoff returns, he's a guy that helps us on special teams, he's a guy that can run the football and catch it. Sometimes some of the passes that we throw are really run plays as we talk about how we're going to attack people."
Rodgers rushed 94 times for 362 yards in 2012, a significant increase over his numbers from the previous season. In addition, Rodgers really established himself as a threat in the passing game, as Smith noted. The 5'6, 196-pound speedster out of Oregon State caught 53 passes, good for fourth on the team, for 402 yards and a touchdown.
Although Rodgers didn't find pay dirt in the return game, he did rack up 592 yards on 23 kickoffs during the regular season with a long of 77.