2011 NFL Free Agents: Jason Snelling

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jul 24, 2011 9:55 AM CDT in 2011 NFL Free Agents

Discussion has been pretty straight forward so far when it comes to the class of 2011 NFL free agents, certainly with respect to the St. Louis Rams. Even with a bumper crop of free agents, everyone links the same handful of players with the Rams. With a deal to end the lockout coming next week, that circle of players is growing. One player getting more and more attention in recent days is Atlanta Falcons RB Jason Snelling.

A seventh-round pick in 2007, when Billy Devaney was working in the Falcons' personnel department, Snelling mostly sat behind the machine-like Michael Turner. Snelling picked up more than half of his NFL carries in 2009, with Turner feeling the effects of 376 carries in season prior. Last year, Snelling picked up 87 carries and 44 receptions. Relatively obscure, he's ready for a bigger role in the NFL.

Snelling plays a power game, a between-the-tackles kind of runner, with burst to work well downhill and drive through tackles. He even works as a lead blocker, notable now that the true fullback is all but extinct in the NFL. With 70+ receptions in the last two years, he can also catch the ball. Combine that with his pass blocking ability and you have a guy that fits the third down back mold...and maybe even more.

Snelling didn't have a great yards-per-attempt in 87 carries last year, just 3.7, but he did have 4.3 YPA the year before that. I don't know enough about Atlanta's offense, other than watching them spank the Rams last year, to offer much insight into Snelling's YPA numbers. He's not particularly fast, which limits him from being a complete package.

The trouble is, he might be looking for a more featured role in a league where running backs just don't get featured much anymore. And that could be a big issue were the St. Louis Rams to show interest.

And another notable Rams connection, he played college ball at Virginia with Chris Long.

Darren Sproles is still leading candidate for the Rams most high-profile addition, on offense anyway. I doubt that they'll stop with just one running back addition. However, Sproles' price may have them looking to add cheaper options to compete with Keith Toston and Chauncey Washington, including a class of undrafted free agents that includes lots of running backs. Between-the-tackles power guys can be added relatively cheaply.

At the very least, Snelling is a player to keep your eyes on once the free agent frenzy gets started.

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DeAngalo Williams

by fitzw1981 on Jul 24, 2011 10:13 AM CDT reply actions

Too Much

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill

by SMASH44 on Jul 25, 2011 1:41 AM CDT up reply actions

reggie bush or steve slaton please. with a side helping of derrick locke and or noel devine

by kevio3000 on Jul 24, 2011 11:33 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Reggie Bush

Too injury prone. Plus he is never leaving Na Orleans..

Coach Steve Tucker
www.football-tutorials.com

by CoachSteveTucker on Jul 24, 2011 12:32 PM CDT reply actions

He's never gonna live up to his #2 overall spot either

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill

by SMASH44 on Jul 25, 2011 1:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Snelling is my vote.

Reliable as a backup, extremely versatile, and probably the cheapest of the three (Bush, Sproles).

"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.

by douchiedude on Jul 24, 2011 3:18 PM CDT reply actions

Not sure how much say he has on the matter, but

I doubt McDaniels is looking for this kind of addition to the running/potentially passing game. Maybe I’m wrong….

by DCRamFan on Jul 24, 2011 3:43 PM CDT reply actions

McDaniels

has always ran a two-back system and neither of them were change of pace backs. He had Buckhalter and Moreno at Denver and that huge running back committee with New England. People are mistaken if they think he’s specifically looking for a Reggie Bush or a Noel Devine type of dude, though I’m sure he could work wonders with a change of pace back. I can see him wanting Snelling to spell SJ a few times and not lose much in the power running game.

by douchiedude on Jul 24, 2011 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Does that not show our hand?

If we bring him in in 3rd down, where’s the threat? Load the box and we punt. I’m not saying he’s not a huge upgrade, but you really think he’s at the top of our list? Bang for the buck, sure! He’s no Sproles, though.

by DCRamFan on Jul 24, 2011 6:52 PM CDT reply actions

the rams will add absolutely no new quality free agents because they have to stay the course which means --will not open their pocketbooks and be content with mediocraty because we cannot upset the "game plan’…lets try and win know!!!!

by jswirb on Jul 24, 2011 10:46 PM CDT reply actions

Gotta disagree (or at least I'll hope)

The great TST faithful have obviously deemed OG, DT, S, WR, (backup) RB, OLB, etc. (and in no particular order), a necessity. If we’re smart enough to know that our Rams need it, then they’ve got to be!

If not, we’ll all be very, very pissed. I hope you’re reading this, Billy D!

…I like your optimism, though, about how we’ll be the exact team as last year, with the exception of the draft. Let’s try and win KNOW!

by DCRamFan on Jul 24, 2011 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Damn straight!! I NOW we can win KNOW!!!

by Ram newbee on Jul 25, 2011 1:37 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

hahaha!!!

by DCRamFan on Jul 25, 2011 7:30 AM CDT up reply actions

All this Snelling talk....why?

Locke, Bush, Sproles, and Devine have this scat back type deal to them which would complement SJax but Snelling doesn’t fit….He’s a bruiser much like Michael Bush, Le’ron McClain. So if we want to target a ATL back why not grab Jerious Norwood? He fits that 3rd down back type mold and is faster and a better receiver than Snelling so why not him? he isnt as big but he’s bigger then the other scat guys I mentioned.

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill

by SMASH44 on Jul 25, 2011 1:48 AM CDT reply actions