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Norwood up to 210 lbs.


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Falcons' runners' roles uncertain

Norwood learns new system; Dunn eager for more catches

 

By STEVE WYCHE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

 

Published on: 05/14/07

 

Flowery Branch — With questions of age and durability now added to his lack of stature, Falcons tailback Warrick Dunn either has a big hill to climb entering his 11th NFL season or additional chips to place on his surgically repaired shoulder.

 

Seemingly always on borrowed time, the Falcons' starter for most of the past five seasons said he might as well add a new coach that owes him no favors to the mix, too.

 

"I have to go out and prove what I can do," said the 32-year-old, 180-pound Dunn. "It's a new coaching staff and every year you have to prove yourself. I have to prove my worth."

 

Dunn has been as valuable as any player to Atlanta's offense in each of the past three seasons, in which he's rushed for more than 1,000 yards and the Falcons led the NFL in rushing.

 

Now, though, there is a new system based on a power-running scheme. Jerious Norwood is bigger (210 pounds) and more seasoned to the NFL game after a standout rookie season (633 yards, 6.4 yards per carry). He's also a very good receiver, something mandatory in coach Bobby Petrino's system.

 

So what will Dunn's and Norwood's roles be? Nobody knows right now because Dunn has been limited in offseason workouts, including the two mini-camps after having tissue from his right rotator cuff surgically reattached to the bone.

 

"It's a little early for that," Petrino said. "It would be great to see [Dunn] back doing everything. We could get a little better idea. It's still a process of getting to know each other and getting to know what they do best and getting them in the best situations to use their talents."

 

Norwood, thicker through the shoulders and chest, took most of the repetitions at mini-camp and dazzled coaches with his speed and hands.

 

"The great thing about Jerious is every time he touches it, he can go the distance," Petrino said. "Hopefully I won't have to call so many plays because he can make big plays. A lot of games are won with turnovers and big plays. He's a very good receiver. He can run routes just like receivers, so that's an exciting part of it."

 

For Norwood, learning Petrino's offense has been a radical change, especially pass protection, but he made strides during mini-camp, Petrino said.

 

"At first it was tough on me," Norwood said. In college I ran the West Coast offense. Last year, under coach [Jim] Mora, we ran something similar to the West Coast. This year is totally different for me. It was tough, but I'm catching on."

 

However Dunn and Norwood are used — in terms of starter, finisher, short-yardage specialist — Petrino said he has faith that each can do what's asked. One thing that's certain, each will be catching the ball, something Dunn has longed for.

 

He averaged nearly 52 catches a season in five years with Tampa Bay and had 50 catches in his first season with the Falcons in 2002. He never caught more than 29 passes in each of the past three seasons with a career-low 22 last season. Norwood caught 12 passes last season.

 

"I should catch more balls than 29," Dunn said, smiling. "If I can get back up to 40 or 50, I'm good."

 

As for that big tailback Petrino desired but didn't get in free agency and the draft, Dunn and Norwood have changed his thinking. So has massive fullback Ovie Mughelli, who not only can run for the tough yards, but can clear a path.

 

"When you talk about power running you're talking about running down hill, lead plays," Petrino said.

 

"The running backs we have can do that."

 

 

 

He is lightning in a bottle. I expect very good things from Norwood this year.

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Falcons' runners' roles uncertain

Norwood learns new system; Dunn eager for more catches

 

By STEVE WYCHE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

 

Published on: 05/14/07

 

Flowery Branch — With questions of age and durability now added to his lack of stature, Falcons tailback Warrick Dunn either has a big hill to climb entering his 11th NFL season or additional chips to place on his surgically repaired shoulder.

 

Seemingly always on borrowed time, the Falcons' starter for most of the past five seasons said he might as well add a new coach that owes him no favors to the mix, too.

 

"I have to go out and prove what I can do," said the 32-year-old, 180-pound Dunn. "It's a new coaching staff and every year you have to prove yourself. I have to prove my worth."

 

Dunn has been as valuable as any player to Atlanta's offense in each of the past three seasons, in which he's rushed for more than 1,000 yards and the Falcons led the NFL in rushing.

 

Now, though, there is a new system based on a power-running scheme. Jerious Norwood is bigger (210 pounds) and more seasoned to the NFL game after a standout rookie season (633 yards, 6.4 yards per carry). He's also a very good receiver, something mandatory in coach Bobby Petrino's system.

 

So what will Dunn's and Norwood's roles be? Nobody knows right now because Dunn has been limited in offseason workouts, including the two mini-camps after having tissue from his right rotator cuff surgically reattached to the bone.

 

"It's a little early for that," Petrino said. "It would be great to see [Dunn] back doing everything. We could get a little better idea. It's still a process of getting to know each other and getting to know what they do best and getting them in the best situations to use their talents."

 

Norwood, thicker through the shoulders and chest, took most of the repetitions at mini-camp and dazzled coaches with his speed and hands.

 

"The great thing about Jerious is every time he touches it, he can go the distance," Petrino said. "Hopefully I won't have to call so many plays because he can make big plays. A lot of games are won with turnovers and big plays. He's a very good receiver. He can run routes just like receivers, so that's an exciting part of it."

 

For Norwood, learning Petrino's offense has been a radical change, especially pass protection, but he made strides during mini-camp, Petrino said.

 

"At first it was tough on me," Norwood said. In college I ran the West Coast offense. Last year, under coach [Jim] Mora, we ran something similar to the West Coast. This year is totally different for me. It was tough, but I'm catching on."

 

However Dunn and Norwood are used — in terms of starter, finisher, short-yardage specialist — Petrino said he has faith that each can do what's asked. One thing that's certain, each will be catching the ball, something Dunn has longed for.

 

He averaged nearly 52 catches a season in five years with Tampa Bay and had 50 catches in his first season with the Falcons in 2002. He never caught more than 29 passes in each of the past three seasons with a career-low 22 last season. Norwood caught 12 passes last season.

 

"I should catch more balls than 29," Dunn said, smiling. "If I can get back up to 40 or 50, I'm good."

 

As for that big tailback Petrino desired but didn't get in free agency and the draft, Dunn and Norwood have changed his thinking. So has massive fullback Ovie Mughelli, who not only can run for the tough yards, but can clear a path.

 

"When you talk about power running you're talking about running down hill, lead plays," Petrino said.

 

"The running backs we have can do that."

He is lightning in a bottle. I expect very good things from Norwood this year.

 

 

Wasn't he 205 last year? :D

 

He'll be back down after training camp...

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Wasn't he 205 last year? :D

 

He'll be back down after training camp...

 

 

He was listed at 203. The fact that the article noted he was thicker in the upper body is what counts. He knows he will need to bulk up if he is to carry a larger load. Seven pounds of muscle is nothing to shrug at.

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Can anyone else see the Norwood/Dunn combo working like the McAllister/Bush combo? Don't get me wrong here as I'm not trying to say Dunn is Bush and Norwood is McAllister but I can see them playing similar roles. :D

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Can anyone else see the Norwood/Dunn combo working like the McAllister/Bush combo? Don't get me wrong here as I'm not trying to say Dunn is Bush and Norwood is McAllister but I can see them playing similar roles. :D

Different style of offense but that doesn't mean they can't both be used. Maybe not initially, but my guess is Dunn will end up playing the role of a 3rd down back.

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I'm liking Norwood. May be the next Westbrook. Hopefully minus the injuries.

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Hard not to like his upside, especially if Vick is sent to time-out by the commish or becomes Bubba's butt-buddy for his various previous offenses.

 

 

 

Why do you say that? If Vick leaves, I don't know that it upgrades the ATL RBs with Harrington throwing. Neither QB can pass, but at least Vick can run away to move the chains.

 

I like Norwood quite a bit as well regardless. A good #3/flex RB, but his upside is limited by Dunn. Even though Dunn's not getting any younger, he still put up 1300/5 totals last year. I'm sure the coaching staff is concerned about WD's ypc, so JN will get more work, but still.

 

I fear the bandwagon is filling up one year too early.

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I fear the bandwagon is filling up one year too early.

 

 

I think he will fill expectations based on where I see him being drafted in these early mocks. But I agree with the fact that we shouldn't consider him to be a slam dunk to pour it on this season. My thoughts on Norwood are more long term in nature. I traded for him in a dynasty league. He won't be getting much cheaper from here on out, so right now is the perfect time to jump on the bandwagon in that regard.

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Why do you say that? If Vick leaves, I don't know that it upgrades the ATL RBs with Harrington throwing. Neither QB can pass, but at least Vick can run away to move the chains.

 

 

 

Because Vick is a more effective RB than a QB. Vick steals significant rushing numbers from his RBs. Harrington, as limited as his performance has been so far in his career, is at least a better passer than Vick and would upgrade the passing game to mediocre, which would help Norwood.

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I think he will fill expectations based on where I see him being drafted in these early mocks. But I agree with the fact that we shouldn't consider him to be a slam dunk to pour it on this season. My thoughts on Norwood are more long term in nature. I traded for him in a dynasty league. He won't be getting much cheaper from here on out, so right now is the perfect time to jump on the bandwagon in that regard.

 

 

Agreed. With Norwood going in the 4th/5th/6th rounds of FF drafts, he ought to be able to at least perform at value, and has significant upside given the RB situation in ATL.

 

I'm not looking at him as a #1 FF RB, but it's not unreasonable to expect solid #2 FF RB numbers. That's not bad for where an owner will get him in most drafts.

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...........and Dunn is coming back off shoulder surgery........and he is old.........

 

The pieces are in place for a breakout season. May or may not happen, but it sure has that feel.

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My thoughts on Norwood are more long term in nature. I traded for him in a dynasty league. He won't be getting much cheaper from here on out, so right now is the perfect time to jump on the bandwagon in that regard.

 

 

 

Sure, for dynasty/keeper leagues. I feel very good about holding him in OUTRAGED right now for only a 10th round pick.

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I read an article right around the time of mini-camp that quoted Petrino is still looking for a short yardage specialist. If I can find it I'll post it.

 

The thing about the potential for Norwood to miss out on short yardage stuff is that it may not effect his value significantly b/c the kid can flat burn... with his speed he should be able to break quite a few scores from beyond the 10 or 20.

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Because Vick is a more effective RB than a QB. Vick steals significant rushing numbers from his RBs. Harrington, as limited as his performance has been so far in his career, is at least a better passer than Vick and would upgrade the passing game to mediocre, which would help Norwood.

 

 

 

You know, this makes some sense, but I went back to games that Schaub started - one each - in 2004 and 2005 to test the hypothesis. I only looked at games Schaub started since the game plan would presumably take into account the differences between Vick and Schaub. They played with Vick the other 15 games.

 

 

2004 Total stats

Dunn 1400/ 9 (16 games)

Duckett 524/8 (13 games)

Approx. 120 total yards, 1 TD per game avg. combined

 

2004 game vs. Saints

Dunn 138 yards, 1 TD

Duckett DNP

 

2005 Total stats

Dunn 1636/4 (16 games)

Duckett 443/8 (14 games)

Approx. 130 yards, .75 TD per game combined

 

2005 vs. NEP

Dunn 106 yards, no TD

Duckett 30 yards, no TD

 

 

The results indicate a very average performance - slightly higher vs. a weak Saints rush D, and slightly lower vs. a strong NE rush D.

 

Looking at Vick's stats, I think its more accurate to say that Vick's rushing yards make up for his lack of passing yards, and combined with above info, don't really take away from the RBs since they pretty much had the same numbers with him as without him.

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The results indicate a very average performance - slightly higher vs. a weak Saints rush D, and slightly lower vs. a strong NE rush D.

 

Looking at Vick's stats, I think its more accurate to say that Vick's rushing yards make up for his lack of passing yards, and combined with above info, don't really take away from the RBs since they pretty much had the same numbers with him as without him.

 

 

Well, I sure wouldn't put too much stock in the results of such an incredibly small sample size; however, since you brought it up...

 

Dunn's performance vs NO showed an increase of 58% over his average rushing yards and his TDs showed a 78% increase. I'd say that's just a bit better than a "slightly higher" increase vs a weak NO run D. That Dunn can hit his averages against a strong run D and show very strongly against a weak run D (where a lot of stud RBs make their bones) would only increase my thoughts regarding better RB performance without Vick - again, if the sample weren't so incredibly small.

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Well, I sure wouldn't put too much stock in the results of such an incredibly small sample size; however, since you brought it up...

 

Dunn's performance vs NO showed an increase of 58% over his average rushing yards and his TDs showed a 78% increase. I'd say that's just a bit better than a "slightly higher" increase vs a weak NO run D. That Dunn can hit his averages against a strong run D and show very strongly against a weak run D (where a lot of stud RBs make their bones) would only increase my thoughts regarding better RB performance without Vick - again, if the sample weren't so incredibly small.

 

 

True regarding sample size, but its the best comparison I can find specificly looking at RBs who play with the most exciting player in the game.

 

Sorry for the confusion, all yards are total rush and receive. Since the idea was that RBs would be better without Vick, it seemed most appropriate to look at the total performance of all RB yards and TDs since Dunn & Duckett were a RBBC where Dunn got most of the yards while Duckett vultured many TDs.

 

The game vs. the Saints, WD rushing yards were 52 and receiving were 86. So, if you want to only look at rushing yards, his were actually much worse that game. Vs. NEP, he had an 83 rush /23 rec split.

 

My main point there was that Dunn simply did on his own what he and Duckett would have done together.

Edited by The Irish Doggy
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