fuego Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 here is a point in every great running back's career where their play drops off precipitously. It usually takes root around the runner's 30th birthday. At that point, the running back has two options. Either he can find a new role within the offense without expecting to be the team's workhorse or retire.After rushing for 10,966 hard-earned yards through 10-and-a-half seasons, Steven Jackson's role with the Falcons must change or the team will continue to struggle offensively.Jackson is a square peg not fit for a round hole. The Falcons prefer 11 personnel (one back, one tight end and three wide receivers). This style of offense doesn't require a physical downhill runner like Jackson. The Falcons running game once again became an afterthought Sunday. The Ravens built a 17-0 lead before halftime. As a result, the Falcons were attempting to make a comeback with quarterback Matt Ryan shouldering the load.Atlanta called only 15 running plays during the entire contest.This season, Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter is calling pass plays 65 percent of the time. While Atlanta's most talented players on offense reside at quarterback and wide receiver, a better balance must be struck for the team to be more competitive and effective on offense.A change at running back can help bolster the lackluster running game.Another issue that became readily apparent during Jackson's performance Sunday was his lack of explosiveness. The veteran was once one of the most difficult running backs in the NFL to tackle. Against Baltimore, Jackson simply looked slow to the hole and lacked burst when he attempted to turn runs upfield.During his last season with the St. Louis Rams, Jackson finished eighth overall in yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus. Jackson finished Top 10 in the category every year between 2008-12. A lot of those yards were compiled due to heavy usage, but it seems all those carries have taken their toll.A look at this season's production shows Jackson declined in recent weeks:(see chart at link below)An argument can be made that the Falcons offensive line is in shambles, which reflects poorly on Jackson. After all, both offensive tackles and the team's center were either backups entering the season or playing a different position than originally projected to start. The problem was exacerbated when Peter Konz left the Ravens game in the first quarter due to a knee injury.The Falcons announced Monday that Konz was placed on injured reserve.But the Falcons' patchwork offensive line is further reason why Jackson's role needs to be minimized this season.As a 6'2", 240-pound running back, Jackson isn't going to make defenders miss, particularly at this point in his career. He's the only running back on the roster of this ilk. The rest of the running back stable is smaller and shiftier. Jacquizz Rodgers, Devonta Freeman and Antone Smith are all under 6'0" and weigh less than 210 pounds.Despite the lack of size, each of those backup options doesn't necessarily project as a part-time player.When the Falcons drafted Freeman in the fourth round of this year's NFL draft, Falcons head coach Mike Smith didn't automatically typecast the running back due to his smallish stature. Mike Smith told AtlantaFalcons.com in May that Freeman could eventually become an every-down running back:"I think if you look at his size, the first thing that comes to your mind is he may be a change of pace back, that is not the case. You said it, in terms of being able to run between the tackles. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s a very strong runner. He is shorter in stature, but he has great strength. If you really study him, he’s probably more effective running the ball between the tackles than he is outside, but when he gets outside he’s able to make people pay because he’s got some good speed."The same is applicable to Rodgers and Antone Smith.Antone Smith, in particular, has proved to be the second most explosive offensive player on the Falcons roster behind wide receiver Julio Jones, as Falcons vice president of football operations Reggie Roberts noted:Reggie Roberts @FalconsPR FollowRB Antone Smith is 1st player in NFL history to score his 1st seven TDs from 38-yards-or-longer.The fourth-string running back, who plays primarily on special teams, is averaging 12.7 yards each time he touches the ball on offense this season. Even Falcons owner Arthur Blank praised Smith last week in an interview with ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure:He’s an exciting player; he’s a team player. The most exciting thing about this last game [against the Bears] was not only his run -- another 41-yard scoring play -- but the next play, he was down there making the special-teams tackle.He really epitomizes everything you want in a team player. It’s not about self; it’s always about team. It’s always about doing whatever I can do to contribute. And he lives that way. He really, really does. I’m thrilled he’s a Falcon and I’m happy for the season he’s having.Blank went as far as telling McClure that he'd like to see Antone Smith as a member of the Falcons for years to come.However, Smith hasn't seen an increased role despite his production. The 29-year old running back received 11 offensive snaps each of the past three weeks, according to Pro Football Focus. Freeman's snaps fluctuated between 10 to 16 appearances over the same time span. Rodgers saw less playing time against the Ravens than he has all season with only 15 snaps.Jackson, meanwhile, is currently averaging over 26 snaps per game.This is the exact opposite of what the Falcons should be trying to achieve at this point in the season.By abandoning the run early in games, the coaching staff is putting undue pressure on Ryan and the team's offensive line. If they try to establish the running game early, it will protect the areas which have been struggling the most while controlling the clock to a greater degree.To do this, the Falcons should start to rely on the younger and more talented backs on the roster. Rodgers, Freeman and especially Antone Smith can create explosive plays, present matchup problems for opposing defenses and continue to contribute on third downs as they have all season.Jackson, who is 31 years old, is currently 34 yards shy of 11,000 career rushing yards. Once Jackson reaches the milestone, the once-great veteran should be phased out of the team's game plan for younger and more dynamic talent.http://bleacherrepor...atlanta-falcons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-TowN.- Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Ever since Jackson got here, we've been trash. The teams he was on before were trash too. The dude has to be cursed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuego Posted October 21, 2014 Author Share Posted October 21, 2014 It boggles my mind that we continue run him on first down up the middle for a yard...over and over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cre Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 this coaching staff is just plain stupid. they did this with turner too. i dont know what it is about them not being able to let go of "their" guys. that alone would be enough for me to let them go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice5303 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Agree, smith always says nothing's off the table, but I'm tired of seeing the same formation on our very first drive, Jackson and Dimarco,Just once...can he start Antone and run some sweeps, misdirection, slip screens and sweep passes,Just to change it upSmith is terrible at deviating from the process Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slamee101 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Coaching decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanfranfalcon Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 one of my main Smitty complaints is his refusal to sit vets...it's like he goes against what's best for the team...don't get it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast-N-Da-Sheetz Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 S Jax is a good guy and he runs hard, but the truth is...... Father Time is kicking his azz. This staff is so blind to the fact that he should not be getting the bulk of the workload, especially since we don't run the ball as much anyways.*sidenote* What ever happened to the FB position? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtimebaseballcoach Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 As long as Dirk is the OC running the football will not be a priority for this team. So it doesn't matter what RB we have in the backfield. They aren't going to try to establish a run game. I say let Quizz and Jackson go and draft a guy like Gordon or Yeldon or Abdullah for next year and lets try to get a 100 yrd rusher in the dome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwifalcon Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 As long as Dirk is the OC running the football will not be a priority for this team. So it doesn't matter what RB we have in the backfield. They aren't going to try to establish a run game. I say let Quizz and Jackson go and draft a guy like Gordon or Yeldon or Abdullah for next year and lets try to get a 100 yrd rusher in the dome.This I'm for establishing it and sticking with it.I mentioned in another thread 1st drive against the Ravens beginning of the 2nd half SJAX up the middle for 4.Then all of a sudden Koetter got to cute changed out SJAX for Antone Smith and went for a sweep and it got stuffed for a loss then we went to the predictable pass play and Ryan got sacked because the Ravens bought the HEAT.Moral of the story is if you want SJAX to succeed let the guy get some rhythm if he succeeds on 1st down go to him again even if they stop it for a 1 or 2 yard gain its 3rd and manageable not 3rd and long and this allows us a chance.At the moment Koetter is relying on gimmicks and big plays to rescue his ar$e instead of really committing to the RUN.If he's that concerned go JUMBO 6 down lineman and run the **** ball down the oppositions throats and stay with it instead of Ryan throwing the **** ball 45-50 times a game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1969 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 It's sad that writers understand simple coaching concepts that our coaches do not.Tone should be starting games. Sjax needs to be a closer if we ever get that opportunity. Pound down a tired defense that just chased Antone down all game... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtimebaseballcoach Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 This I'm for establishing it and sticking with it.I mentioned in another thread 1st drive against the Ravens beginning of the 2n half SJAX up the middle for 4.Then all of a sudden Koetter got to cute changed out SJAX for Antone Smith and went for a sweep and it got stuffed for a loss then we went to the predictable pass play and Ryan got sacked because the Ravens bought the HEAT.Moral of the story is if you want SJAX to succeed let the guy get some rhythm if he succeds on 1st down go to him again even if they stop it for a 1 or 2 yard gain its 3rd and manageable not 3rd and long and this allows us a chance.At the moment Koetter is relying on gimmicks and big plays to rescue his ar$e instead of really committing to the RUN.If he's that concerned go JUMBO 6 down lineman and run the **** ball down the oppositions throats and stay with it instead of Ryan throwing the **** ball 45-50 times a game.I agree, and even if you don't have confidence in Jax as a bellcow at this point, let's see what Freeman and Smith can do running the ball in between the tackles. The only way to help our Defense is to keep them off the field. Running the ball does this! Ryan is a good QB but he isn't a guy that needs to be throwing the ball 40-50 times a game. Especially when the Oline is terrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaSteeleboy Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 It's unbelieveable how the announcers who call our games continue to say that Steven Jackson was the missing piece on this team 2 years ago in the NFCCG and still claim that he is better this year than Michael Turner was in 2012. Every time I see Steven Jackson get the ball I just know it's a waste of down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega Flare Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Solution: Run SJax up the middle on 1st down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KGrillz Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 If the Falcons are going to lose and get blown out every game I would at least like to see Antone and Freeman get more touches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theyhateme : ) Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 If the Falcons are going to lose and get blown out every game I would at least like to see Antone and Freeman get more touches.Can't understand why the F.O. can't see this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenixFalcon Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Cannot believe how many SJax haters are in ATL. Makes me not even want to be a part of this community. Bunch a whining babies finding every **** reason they can to hate on players when they are producing. Why the **** do you care if he gets the ball and runs up the middle for 1 yard? 3/5 run plays he gets 3-4 yards, the other 2 he gets a 1 harder and a 8+ yarder. Just because he isn't breaking for 80 yard touchdowns doesn't mean he is washed up. God you guys piss me off so bad, all this Michael Turner loyalty. Dude was washed up in '12, they let him go cause he wasnt getting 1st downs, he barely averaged 3.6 ypc and most of that is due to the few 20-30yard runs he had that year which elevated his ypc a bit. Jackson is not he guy he once was but its ridiculous how much you guys hate on him because of last years performance. Again he's stuck behind another duct taped OLine made up of UDFA and a injured rookie. Asamoah is the sole good OLineman we have left. Blalock is decent but he's injured too. Sure go ahead and blame SJax when he was averaging 4.3 ypc when we actually had a good OLine. Blame SJax because you are all insistant its his fault, and even more so when he gets injured....I can't think of anyone single player in the league carrying the ball who wouldn't be injured regularly with 0 protection. You're petty cries for RBs who can't block and an old retired washed up RB who didn't even get offered a tryout with a team after '12 are going to get you nowhere. Changes are coming, but not because you little babies b1tched about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DurtyBurdz155 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Cannot believe how many SJax haters are in ATL. Makes me not even want to be a part of this community. Bunch a whining babies finding every **** reason they can to hate on players when they are producing. Why the **** do you care if he gets the ball and runs up the middle for 1 yard? 3/5 run plays he gets 3-4 yards, the other 2 he gets a 1 harder and a 8+ yarder. Just because he isn't breaking for 80 yard touchdowns doesn't mean he is washed up. God you guys piss me off so bad, all this Michael Turner loyalty. Dude was washed up in '12, they let him go cause he wasnt getting 1st downs, he barely averaged 3.6 ypc and most of that is due to the few 20-30yard runs he had that year which elevated his ypc a bit. Jackson is not he guy he once was but its ridiculous how much you guys hate on him because of last years performance. Again he's stuck behind another duct taped OLine made up of UDFA and a injured rookie. Asamoah is the sole good OLineman we have left. Blalock is decent but he's injured too. Sure go ahead and blame SJax when he was averaging 4.3 ypc when we actually had a good OLine. Blame SJax because you are all insistant its his fault, and even more so when he gets injured....I can't think of anyone single player in the league carrying the ball who wouldn't be injured regularly with 0 protection. You're petty cries for RBs who can't block and an old retired washed up RB who didn't even get offered a tryout with a team after '12 are going to get you nowhere. Changes are coming, but not because you little babies b1tched about it.Woah...calm down. Face it, Sjax is done. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenixFalcon Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Woah...calm down. Face it, Sjax is done. LolAnd so are you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theyhateme : ) Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Woah...calm down. Face it, Sjax is done. LolSJax is the finisher. Up by 14 going into the fourth quarter and a decent OLine...that's when you hit em with SJax. We can't open holes long enough for him to chug through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DurtyBurdz155 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 And so are you Good Comeback, Champ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrimitiveJN Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Ever since Jackson got here, we've been trash. The teams he was on before were trash too. The dude has to be cursed.To be fair, St. Louis did not suck because of Jackson. Father time just caught up with him in Atlanta. He does need to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdz4i Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 you expect to have a running game when we have 5 guys from the oline on ir? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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