SB Nation Atlanta - Jerious Norwood Out For Season With Torn ACLhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2010-09-22T00:09:21-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/14664092010-09-22T00:09:21-04:002010-09-22T00:09:21-04:00VIDEO: Jerious Norwood And His Explosiveness Potential
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/2010/9/21/1702368/jerious-norwood-injury-torn-acl-falcons-injured">Jerious Norwood's 2010 season is over. </a>With his contract expiring after this season there's speculation that his career as a Falcon may follow suit. Let's take a walk down memory lane with one of the most explosive - and oft-injured - running backs ever to wear an Atlanta uniform. It's time to wonder what might have been.</p>
<p>Norwood ran up 3,398 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns - averaging 5.5 yards per touch - in his four seasons at Mississippi State. He was the eighth running back taken in the 2006 draft that included Maurice Jones-Drew, Joseph Addai and Reggie Bush.</p>
<p>He was the Falcons' top backup every year, first supporting Warrick Dunn from 2006-2007 and then spelling Michael Turner from 2008 through today. He started only six games as a pro and - due to various injuries - played in all 16 games only once in a little over four seasons. Norwood never carried the ball more than 14 times in a game but his top three rushing performances came in games in which he had less than 10 carries.</p>
<p><b>STAT ALERT:</b> In Falcons' history, only two players have carried the ball at least 300 times while averaging more than 5.0 yards per carry: Michael Vick and Jerious Norwood.</p>
<p>Norwood is only 27 years old so his career in the NFL is not over but if his days as a Falcon are, let's enjoy the promise he teased us with for five years.</p>
<p><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tgVBrjrvwk8?fs=1&hl=en_US">
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tgVBrjrvwk8?fs=1&hl=en_US" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tgVBrjrvwk8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> </p>
<p><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bWYe-XRI2aM?fs=1&hl=en_US">
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bWYe-XRI2aM?fs=1&hl=en_US" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bWYe-XRI2aM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> </p>
<p><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yhpcDC-loLk?fs=1&hl=en_US">
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yhpcDC-loLk?fs=1&hl=en_US" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yhpcDC-loLk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> <br id="1285126310841"></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2010/9/22/1703315/video-jerious-norwood-and-hisTroy Heinzman2010-09-21T17:28:47-04:002010-09-21T17:28:47-04:00Falcons Sign RB Shawnbrey McNeal To Practice Squad, Release LB Bear Woods
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>
<style type="text/css">.bbpBox25150849891 {background:url(http://a1.twimg.com/profile_background_images/128273094/Twitterback.jpg) #131516;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}</style>
</p>
<div class="bbpBox25150849891">
<p class="bbpTweet">JUST IN: Norwood placed on IR; Bear Woods' PS contract terminated; Falcons sign RBs Shawnbrey McNeal and Gartrell Johnson to PS<span class="timestamp"><a title="Tue Sep 21 20:55:33 +0000 2010" href="http://twitter.com/FalconsJAdams/statuses/25150849891">less than a minute ago</a> via <a href="http://seesmic.com/seesmic_desktop/sd2" rel="nofollow">Seesmic Desktop</a></span><span class="metadata"><span class="author"><a href="http://twitter.com/FalconsJAdams"><img src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1091575383/profileicon-jadams_normal.jpg"></a><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/FalconsJAdams">Jay Adams</a></strong><br>FalconsJAdams</span></span></p>
</div>
<p>And another scouting report from <a href="http://boltsfromtheblue.com">Bolts From The Blue</a>:</p>
<blockquote>Shawnbrey McNeal - A.J. Smith is a freaking genius. In 2005, he drafts a 5'5" (let's be honest here) RB that's 185 lbs. soaking wet and by 2008 he's one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL on kick returns, punt returns, as a RB or as a receiver. Seeing that the value on his tiny star has risen greatly, Smith goes ahead and offers him a lucrative short-term deal and goes out and finds a replacement. Nobody else is drafting these tiny speed guys to be RBs (although they're starting to copy him now) because they're so hard to find, and it would appear Smith just plucked out another one when he felt he needed to. McNeal is a younger Sproles. Before 2008, Darren was a practice star but was not quite ready to be the weapon he is today. He took time, he took seasoning. The same is true for McNeal, but the same potential is there was well. He's listed at 5'9", but I imagine it's closer to 5'7". He has great hands and great speed, but needs to learn to be more patient and also needs to learn how to take care of his body. With Sproles' contract up again at the end of this season, I think McNeal makes this team easily and probably has the inside track as the 3rd RB right now. He'll spend this year soaking up whatever he can from Darren, with plans to be the younger/cheaper replacement when 2011 rolls around. As I stated before, a lot of these UDFA RBs didn't get much of a chance in college until their final year. That's certainly true for Shawnbrey, who carried the ball 33 times in his first two years and 236 times in his third and final year. In 2009, he rushed for 1,188 yds (5.0 YPC) and 12 TDs along with catching the ball 31 times for 283 yds and 2 more scores. There's no doubt that the potential is there, and I think the Chargers are grooming him as the eventual replacement for Darren.</blockquote>
<p>Here's a look at McNeal's character, courtesy of <a href="http://mockingthedraft.com">Mocking The Draft</a>:</p>
<blockquote>Shawnbrey McNeal didn't see the field much during his two years playing for Miami. That wasn't the major factor in him transferring to SMU, it was his mother. McNeal put in for a hardship waiver, and the NCAA granted it to him, allowing him to transfer to Southern Methodist, just twenty minutes from his mother who is dealing with diabetes related issues. After playing a season at SMU, his junior season, he left early to try to support his mother. McNeal was signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Diego Chargers. Motivation is not the issue for McNeal, it is space: the Chargers have five running backs on their roster including McNeal, veteran Darren Sproles, and first-round pick Ryan Matthews. The good news for McNeal is that he is battling fellow undrafted free agents Curtis Brinkley (a one year veteran), and Marcus Mason (a three year veteran).</blockquote>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2010/9/21/1702684/shawnbrey-mcneal-falcons-jerious-norwoodJason Kirk2010-09-21T16:21:25-04:002010-09-21T16:21:25-04:00With Jerious Norwood On IR, Falcons Sign Colorado State's Gartrell Johnson; Let's Meet Gartrell Johnson
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Gartrell Johnson was drafted in the fourth round by the San Diego Chargers in 2009. He was inactive for one game, then waived. The Giants claimed him and kept him for almost a year, waiving him three weeks ago.</p>
<p>Johnson stands five-foot-ten and weighs 219 pounds, running a 4.67-second 40-yard dash at the <span class="caps">NFL</span> Combine; his physique is certainly more Turner/Snelling than Norwood.</p>
<p>At Colorado State Johnson was a dual threat, catching 32 passes for 295 yards and running for 1,476 in his senior year. His 375-yard performance in the 2008 New Mexico Bowl is the second-highest total yardage bowl day in <span class="caps">NCAA</span> history, behind only <em>the</em> Chris Johnson.</p>
<p>In high school, Johnson broke Willis McGahee’s season rushing record at Miami Springs.</p>
<p><a href="http://boltsfromtheblue.com">Bolts From The Blue</a>, SB Nation’s Chargers blog, offers a scouting report via <a href="http://bigblueview.com">Big Blue View</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>OK, well let me start off by saying I was a big Gartrell Johnson fan. Anyone who saw his bowl game against Fresno State would be, and I watched it live. Here’s as good of a scouting report as I can give on Gartrell:</p>
<p>Gartrell is a power back, through and through. Or at least he will be one some day. The Chargers were holding onto him because they loved his potential, but he really needs to learn to stay low after first contact. Too often he would hit somebody (sometimes his own lineman) and get stood up, then immediately get taken down. His size also makes him less-than-ideal for the power back spot, but the kid runs with strength and hits with violence.</p>
<p>There are negatives in his game though. For one, he has zero speed. I doubt he ever takes a carry for more than 15 yards in his entire <span class="caps">NFL</span> career. There were two instances in the preseason where he had nobody in front of him and was caught from behind easily by a LB. The second flaw is patience, which isn’t rare for a rookie. He has a hard time waiting for the hole to develop, partly because he’s almost at full-speed when he gets the ball (I loved that about him), and can ruin plays that way.</p>
<p>If Gartrell can become more patient and stay low to the ground, he has a real future as a goal-line back in the <span class="caps">NFL</span>. He wasn’t cut because of anything he did, but rather because the Chargers need bodies for all of the injuries that are stacking up on both lines. Also, Michael Bennett completely and totally outperformed Gartrell in the pre-season.</p>
</blockquote>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2010/9/21/1702515/gartrell-johnson-falcons-jerious-norwood-colorado-stateJason Kirk2010-09-21T16:12:38-04:002010-09-21T16:12:38-04:00Jerious Norwood Done For The Year: Reviewing The Falcons' Remaining Running Backs
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/2010/9/21/1702368/jerious-norwood-injury-torn-acl-falcons-injured">Jerious Norwood is done for the year</a>. Now what? First, a review of what the Birds still have:</p>
<ul>
<li>Michael Turner struggled to find space against Pittsburgh, but looked like 2008 Turner against Arizona, running for 75 yards on nine carries. He left early due to a minor injury, but was cleared to return. Coaches decided to play it safe and hold him out of the blowout victory. There has been talk this offseason of Turner becoming more of a receiving threat, which would help fill the vacancy left by Norwood. He only has one catch so far this year.</li>
<li>Jason Snelling is one of three finalists for this week’s<a href="http://www.nfl.com/partner?partnerType=players-air-and-ground"> FedEx Ground Player of the Week</a> award after gaining 186 total yards and three touchdowns against Arizona. In last year’s week-seventeen game against Tampa Bay, he ran for 168 total. Though he lacks Norwood’s explosiveness, he’s an excellent receiver and pass blocker and has also played fullback and wildcat point man.</li>
<li>Antone Smith was an undrafted free agent out of Florida State in 2009. He’d been on the Falcons’ practice squad since last October before making the final cut this year, likely in anticipation of an injury to Turner or Norwood. He’s much more squirty than the one-cut Turner or Snelling, so he’ll be expected to fill some of Norwood’s open-space role.</li>
<li>Ovie Mughelli is a very good blocking fullback who has 20 carries in his Atlanta career. However, five of them came all in last week, so the team has obviously considered using him more as a ball-carrier to spell Snelling.</li>
</ul>
<p>With the addition of Smith, plus experience at dealing with life without Norwood, we’re better prepared than we were last year.</p>
<p>In just a few minutes, a list of backs the team could sign as early as today.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2010/9/21/1702482/jerious-norwood-falcons-running-backsJason Kirk2010-09-21T15:42:28-04:002010-09-21T15:42:28-04:00Jerious Norwood: Out For Season With Torn ACL
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Jay Glazer reports:</p>
<p>
<style type="text/css">.bbpBox25144860059 {background:url(http://a1.twimg.com/profile_background_images/27993840/Foxsports_background.png) #9AE4E8;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}</style>
</p>
<div class="bbpBox25144860059">
<p class="bbpTweet">Another tough season-ender. I'm reporting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> RB <span>Jerious Norwood</span> has a torn ACL and will be placed on IR today<span class="timestamp"><a href="http://twitter.com/Jay_Glazer/statuses/25144860059" title="Tue Sep 21 19:22:24 +0000 2010">less than a minute ago</a> via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ubertwitter.com/bb/download.php">ÜberTwitter</a></span><span class="metadata"><span class="author"><a href="http://twitter.com/Jay_Glazer"><img src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/351605399/Glaze_head_shot_normal.jpg"></a><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/Jay_Glazer">Jay Glazer</a></strong><br>Jay_Glazer</span></span></p>
</div>
<p>Jerious Norwood left the Falcons' game against Arizona after returning the opening kickoff. He needed crutches to move around on the sidelines.</p>
<p>Norwood has missed games in three of his four previous NFL seasons. This is his last contract year, meaning we may have seen the last of Norwood's career in Atlanta.</p>
<p>Remaining Falcons halfbacks <span>Michael Turner</span>, <span>Jason Snelling</span>, and <span>Antone Smith</span> are fine. Coach <span>Mike Smith</span> said Turner will be practicing this week as normal after suffering a groin injury last Sunday.</p>
<p>The team recently released Dmitri Nance from the practice squad, who was signed by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> shortly after. The practice squad is fresh out of running backs.</p>
<p>More to come.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2010/9/21/2321340/jerious-norwood-out-for-season-with-torn-aclJason Kirk