To the relief of Falcons fans, new running back Steven Jackson hasn't had much trouble learning a new playbook after nine years in St. Louis. Jackson has said he's enjoyed his learning experience with the Falcons and while there are new things to learn, he doesn't anticipate major changes in his switch from one team to another.
Jackson is expected to get the majority of the carries in the backfield this year, but Jacquizz Rodgers enters his third season as a Falcon and he will be picking up where he left off last year as a quality backup able to do a variety of different things for the Falcons. Rodgers said during June's minicamp having a guy like Jackson around is a great thing because he can see how hard the running back works in practice to get better. Rodgers is also helping his new backfield mate whenever he can.
"Since he doesn't know the playbook as well, he asks me questions and I help him out with it," Rodgers said. "Our playbook (has) so much up-tempo. We (often) run our offense no huddle, so I help him out when I can."
When Jackson joined the Falcons he said he was looking forward to playing with Rodgers. The two are both former Oregon State Beavers and they have a history dating back a few years prior to their convergence with the Falcons.
"I met him in college," Rodgers said. "He came to a couple of games so I got a chance to talk to him then. We somewhat knew each other already."
Rodgers said he wasn't concerned about another veteran stepping into the backfield with him. As was the case last year behind Michael Turner, Rodgers will make every rep he gets count and will do whatever he can to make sure the coaching staff calls his number again.
