Running back Jason Snelling re-signed with the Falcons last Sunday, inking a one-year deal to stay in Atlanta. Snelling had forayed into free agency and visited other teams including the Giants, Rams and Chiefs, but he opted to return to a squad for which he has been a major force over the past two seasons.
Snelling rushed 142 times for 613 yards and four touchdowns in 2009 while getting considerable playing time in the absence of an injured Michael Turner. Even with Turner healthy last season, Snelling carried the ball 87 times for 324 yards and two scores. The former University of Virginia standout also made 44 receptions and turned those into 303 yards while finding the endzone an additional three times.
“I’ve got a great relationship with this group of guys,” Snelling told the Atlanta Journal Constitution after taking part in an evening walk-through on Sunday. “I’ve been with the team for four years. We’ve built something special here. I’m glad that I’m going to be a part of it moving forward.”
Atlanta is moving forward without former backup running back Jerious Norwood, so the team surely felt added pressure to get Snelling back into the fold. Snelling may not be as fast or elusive as Norwood, but he can do it all–break tackles, catch passes out of the backfield and block.
“That was a big pickup,” quarterback Matt Ryan told the AJC. “I think I was as happy as anyone when we signed him and he got back in here. He allows us to do some of the more complicated protection schemes that we’ve done because he is so good with (blocking).”
PRESEASON BEGINS …
The Falcons kicked off their 2011 preseason campaign at the Georgia Dome on Friday night against Miami. Results were not available at press time. Atlanta will then travel to Jacksonville next Friday. Game 3, in which the starters will see their most significant playing time, comes at Heinz Field against the Steelers on Aug. 27.
“I know we’ll be excited, as a coaching staff, to truly be able to evaluate the players,” head coach Mike Smith told the AJC of his team’s upcoming contests. “We are really going to play real football.”
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