The St. Louis Rams have signed running back Jerious Norwood, who has spent all five of his NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Norwood has strong ties to two men in the Rams organization.
He was drafted by Atlanta when Rams GM Billy Devaney was there and played for Rams running back coach Sylvester Croom at Mississippi State.
He will back up Steven Jackson and likely provide help as a third down back.
After the Rams baffled many of their fans over the last two years by not adding a proven backup runner, today they eliminated a crater-sized hole and filled a dire need with the addition of Norwood.
For the first time in Jackson's career, he will be have a legitimate No. 2 running back behind him, assuming Norwood is healthy. He possesses the ability to capably spell Jackson during games or fill in for Jackson if he gets banged up for a game or two along the way.
During his career, the 28-year-old has averaged over five yards per carry and nearly 10 yards per catch primarily as a second running back for Atlanta.
Norwood checks in at 5'11 and 209 pounds, capable of hitting the home run and taking it to the house with any touch. He is explosive on the outside, capable of beating linebackers around the edge and getting into the secondary consistently.
In 2006, Norwood ran a blazing 4.32 40 at the NFL scouting combine. He showed further explosive athleticism sporting a 36.5 inch vertical and a 10' 2" broad jump.
He's a solid receiver out of the backfield, too, having caught 28 balls in 2007 and 36 in 2008. This should help him contribute on third downs, potentially spelling Jackson.
He will likely receive at least a handful of touches on the ground and/or through the air each game.
Norwood is also a candidate for kick return duties. During his career, he has averaged 25.5 yards per return. By comparison, Danny Amendola averaged a solid 22.8 yards on returns in 2010.
The concern with Norwood, particularly lately, has been his durability. Out of 80 career regular season games, he has only managed to play in 57.
Last season, he only played in two games before being placed on injured reserve after suffering an ACL injury.
In 2009, he missed six games suffering from a hip injury and complications from a concussion.
According to the Jackson Clarion Ledger, on June 26, Norwood reports that he is healthy and says "I'll be ready to roll this football season. (Rehab) is pretty much over with."
Taking a positive spin on the durability issue, Norwood has taken relatively few hits in the NFL after enduring all these injuries. After five seasons, he only has 373 career carries.
That isn't much more than one average season's worth for Steven Jackson.
So if Norwood is fully recovered from his ACL injury and has maintained his speed and skill set, he may be a very young 28 with lots left in the tank.
At the very least, the Rams have added quality depth to the backfield.
Some suggest the Rams may still be in the hunt for former Miami Dolphin halfback Ronnie Brown. Time will tell if that comes to fruition.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that the Rams are also looking at Cadillac Williams.
In lieu of this signing, the Rams have effectively filled every area of need in this offseason's free agency period.
In about a week, the Rams have added depth and potential starters at: safety, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, offensive guard, wide receiver and now, running back.
With this signing, I would have to give the Rams an A- for their work thus far in free agency.
They have addressed every major area of need in some manner and have certainly improved their chances for competing for the NFC West crown in 2011.
Although the first half of the Rams schedule looks particularly tough, the Rams look tough too.
If the Rams can survive that portion of the schedule having tallied even just three of four wins, they may still be in decent shape to make a run at the playoffs in the second half of the season.
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