FALCONS TO GO Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Scott Cunningham/Getty ImagesEach NFL team has a player who comes from nowhere and makes a statement in the NFL. He did not have stardom before. He is the breakout player.Last year Julio Jones had a breakout season with nearly 1,000 receiving yards.Here are the five Falcons most likely to have a breakout season in 2012, headlined by Jacquizz RodgersStarting running back Michael Turner has taken a lot of hits in his four years as a Falcon. That's taken a pounding on the big back.The Falcons need to lighten his load. Jason Snelling, just re-signed in the offseason, is the same type of runner Turner is.Second-year running back Jacquizz Rodgers provides the change-of-pace to offset Turner and Snelling's power.Rodgers needs to improve on his pass-blocking skills, and if he does that, he'd start regularly playing on third downs.Rodgers is the most likely Falcon to break out in 2012 based on the fact that Atlanta needs a back with electrifying speed.With Atlanta Falcons' leading tackler Curtis Lofton departing to the division-rival New Orleans Saints, someone is going to have to step up in 2012.Linebacker Lofa Tatupu is the early favorite to land the starting middle linebacker spot. Tatupu didn't play all season in 2011, citing numerous knee injuries.Tatupu was a three-time Pro Bowler, but the injuries have led to the quick down-turn of Tatupu's career. If Tatupu can remain healthy, he could have a breakout year.The Falcons changed offensive coordinators in the season, and in the process, helped wide receiver Harry Douglas.Douglas' game is best suited to play in the slot. New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter will make sure Douglas gets the ball and deep.He could have a monster season on offense with most of the attention, and deservedly so, trying to stop Roddy White and Julio Jones,In addition, Douglas has a decent chance to win either the kick returning job or the punt returning job with the departure of Pro Bowler returner Eric Weems.Douglas did return punts in 2008—19 of them for 226 yards—and even scored a touchdown.If Harry Douglas does not win both returning jobs, cornerback Dominique Franks is likely to be win one of them.With the addition of cornerback Asante Samuel, Franks is not going to be a starter next year, even when the Falcons play the nickle defense consisting of five defensive backs.Franks returned 29 punts in college for 346 yards but did not score. Franks is much less experienced at returning kickoffs, only returning eight in college.The position battles between Franks and Douglas will be interesting to watch unfold, and the victor will likely have a breakout season.If Tatupu cannot remain healthy in the 2012 season, linebacker Akeem Dent will play lots of minutes during the 2012 season.The local product from the University of Georgia will see his playing time increase anyway, and could burst out into the NFL scene in 2012.At 6'1" and 243 pounds, Dent has ideal size and speed to play linebacker at the NFL level. Look for Dent to make a dent on defense next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdz4i Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 "Rodgers is the most likely Falcon to break out in 2012 based on the fact that Atlanta needs a back with electrifying speed."umm did i miss something? quizz is quick but no where near electrifying speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcanuck Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 "Rodgers is the most likely Falcon to break out in 2012 based on the fact that Atlanta needs a back with electrifying speed." umm did i miss something? quizz is quick but no where near electrifying speed.I hate how the word "speed" is determined through forty times. No RB ever runs in a straight line. If you timed RBs making cuts between defenders and the "speed" in which they accomplish that, Quizz will be near the top of that list. A more relevant measure of NFL "speed" imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulioisCoolio Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 What a terrible article.Weatherspoon?Moore?Julio? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I hate how the word "speed" is determined through forty times. No RB ever runs in a straight line. If you timed RBs making cuts between defenders and the "speed" in which they accomplish that, Quizz will be near the top of that list. A more relevant measure of NFL "speed" imo.Quizz isn't "fast" like Norwood, but he is "fast" like Sproles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Birds Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 What a terrible article.Weatherspoon?Moore?Julio?Weatherspoon had a breakout season, Julio had a breakouts season last year (they even said that), Moore had a pretty dang good season in 2010. I don't think they qualify as much as the others. But Lofa shouldn't have been on there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lju713 Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I hate how the word "speed" is determined through forty times. No RB ever runs in a straight line. If you timed RBs making cuts between defenders and the "speed" in which they accomplish that, Quizz will be near the top of that list. A more relevant measure of NFL "speed" imo.But he is slower than alot of backs his size(Sproles,MJD,Rice,LaMicheal James,even Antoine Smith) and im not talking 40 time, it shows on tape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbrinson Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 This article isn't reliable. It says quizz needs to work on his pass blocking but quizz blocks just as much as he catches the ball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big_D Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Baker, just kidding...........I couldn't resist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Quizz isn't "fast" like Norwood, but he is "fast" like Sproles.I'm not seeing that. I keep hearing everybody say it, but I haven't see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Birds Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I'm not seeing that. I keep hearing everybody say it, but I haven't see it.Sproles isn't that fast. 4.49 40. Quiz ran a 4.47 at his pro day. There's a fact so you can see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McMVP Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Julio...sometimes the obvious choice is the right one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Birds Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Julio...sometimes the obvious choice is the right oneThey seemed to think that Julio had his break out season already. Breakout doesn't mean he hit his ceiling by any means though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Sproles isn't that fast. 4.49 40. Quiz ran a 4.47 at his pro day. There's a fact so you can see it.I'm just using eyeballs man. Just eyeballs.I think now that Curtis Lofton is gone, Jacquizz Rodgers has takent over the role of most overrated Falcon. Just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Birds Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I'm just using eyeballs man. Just eyeballs.I think now that Curtis Lofton is gone, Jacquizz Rodgers has takent over the role of most overrated Falcon. Just my opinion.He might be slightly overrated but I think everyone knows that it's based on potential and not production. He has the potential to be a great weapon, Peter King said last year at camp that Quiz could be the most exciting player in the NFL if he gets enough touches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 (edited) I'm not seeing that. I keep hearing everybody say it, but I haven't see it.I was merely using players to give a comparison of his "type" of speed. I'm not saying that Quizz right now is as good as Sproles, at least not yet. He plays similarly, so maybe he can be that type of player one day, but right now he needs more time. Edited May 31, 2012 by hjerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokerSteve Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 (edited) Why did he leave out Matt Ryan? He's the leader of the offense and there are some indicators that point to him having a break-out year: he'll have a better OL, first and foremost, but he'll also have another year of experience as a QB and working with JJ, he'll (hopefully) have a much more aggressive and less predictable offensive scheme to work with, he's been hitting the weight room with more diligence, so he should be stronger with his throws and standing in against the rush. On the other hand of course, If Ryan DOESN'T haved a break-out season given the above situation, I think the questions and the skepticism regarding his ceiling will grow a whole lot louder and more urgent. Edited May 31, 2012 by PokerSteve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stryka Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Quizz isn't "fast" like Norwood, but he is "fast" like Sproles.Sproeles has elite speed. Quizz is more quick than fast. We really havent had a chance to see what he can do in the open field. This year with the screens and vertical game he should get more opportunities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 What a terrible article.Weatherspoon?Moore?Julio?John Abraham? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCSMD Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 John Abraham?Jamaal Anderson? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gritz Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I think now that Curtis Lofton is gone, Jacquizz Rodgers has takent over the role of most overrated Falcon. Just my opinion.I don't think there's been a large enough sampling of his work as a pro to make a determination yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I don't think there's been a large enough sampling of his work as a pro to make a determination yet.I do agree with you, but on the other hand we already have fans comparing him to Darren Sproles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gritz Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I do agree with you, but on the other hand we already have fans comparing him to Darren Sproles.Yeah, I wouldn't go there yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulitik Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I do agree with you, but on the other hand we already have fans comparing him to Darren Sproles. I love Quizz, but I just haven't seen the straightline speed to compare him to Sproles. He's definitely shifty, but other than being short, and a 3rd down back, I wouldn't go there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconinPA Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I love Quizz, but I just haven't seen the straightline speed to compare him to Sproles. He's definitely shifty, but other than being short, and a 3rd down back, I wouldn't go there.Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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