Atlanta's Jacquizz Rodgers emerging as Falcons top back

Jacquizz Rodgers accounted for 152 total yards last Sunday against the Buccaneers and had significantly more production that long-tenured-starter Michael Turner.

By Mike Singer

Nov 28, 2012 at 1:25 pm ET • 2 min read

Falcons RB Jacquizz Rodgers had 152 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over Tampa Bay. (US Presswire)

Last Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay represented a changing of the guard in Atlanta’s backfield. Aside from an early-season blowout against the Chargers, it was the first time all year that Jacquizz Rodgers earned more snaps than Michael Turner, the Falcons primary running back for the better part of the last five seasons.

Although Turner officially started Sunday’s game in the backfield, he was quickly replaced with Rodgers who promptly rushed for 32 yards in his first three carries. It remains to be seen whether he has the durability of a three-down back but he certainly showed the ability to make people miss.

Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter seems to be just discovering the weapon he has in Rodgers. The second-year back is capable of running swing passes to both sides, catching passes out of the backfield, or freezing defenders on swift open field jukes. Behind Atlanta’s “Big Three” -- Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Tony Gonzalez -- sits Jacquizz Rodgers with 35 catches for 288 yards this season.

Aside from his obvious talent out of the backfield, Rodgers is also the team’s kickoff returner, although the logical question should be how much longer would the Falcons subject their top back to the violence and risks inherent to special teams play. Rodgers is averaging 28 yards per return, the 10^th most in the NFL and just .7 yards less than the Saints’ kick returner RB Darren Sproles.

Rodgers is a lesser-version of Sproles, but the two play nearly identical positions in their respective offenses. The two will go head-to-head Thursday night when the Falcons host the Saints on NFL Network.

The shift in playing time was somewhat stark for Rodgers, but Turner’s regression is undeniable. Last season he had eight games of at least 75 yards rushing en-route to an 11-touchdown campaign. Eleven games into the season, he has three games above that mark and has been held to under 50 yards six different times. His legs look tired, his acceleration is slow, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for coach Mike Smith to use him in crucial spots.

The guess is, as the Falcons did against Tampa Bay on Sunday, Atlanta will implement a three-back set with Rodgers, Turner and Jason Snelling (20 catches) out of the backfield. Rodgers’ versatility makes him invaluable to the Falcons offense, which occasionally screeches to a halt when it can’t run the ball. But with Rodgers, not only can the Falcons pickup yardage on the ground, but the diminutive back (5-6) can easily catch a pass out of the backfield as Atlanta’s other receiving threats stretch the defense vertically.

Rodgers isn’t an elite hybrid-back, yet but Thursday he’ll get a chance to go head-to-head with one.

For more Falcons coverage, follow Mike Singer @CBSFalcons.