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It’s back to business as usual after a little down time.

Before we start moving ahead, though, there were two events that happened while I was off that I’d like to weigh in on.

The Atlanta Falcons released veteran fullback Ovie Mughelli. The Falcons likely would have preferred to release him back before the start of free agency, but Mughelli still was recovering from a season-ending leg injury suffered last year. Once Mughelli was healthy enough to pass a physical, the Falcons went ahead and pulled the plug. They’re taking a bit of a leap of faith in hoping that rookie Bradie Ewing or Mike Cox can fill the void. Mughelli easily was the best fullback in the NFC South the past few seasons. But age was catching up to Mughelli. That’s something the Falcons have to be conscious of at multiple positions because they still have guys like defensive end John Abraham, center Todd McClure and tight end Tony Gonzalez. This team has to start mixing in some younger players and parting ways with Mughelli was one way to move in that direction.

Mughelli was a great lead blocker for Michael Turner, but I’ve got a feeling new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter isn’t going to be using the power running game quite as much as predecessor Mike Mularkey. Yes, Ewing or Cox will take on that role at times, but I think you’ll see more one-back sets as the Falcons try to get Jacquizz Rodgers on the field more often to take advantage of his speed.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if Koetter uses an H-back from time to time. From the moment the Falcons drafted receiver Kerry Meier, they have raved about his versatility. But we really haven’t seen much of Meier except on special teams. The Falcons are deep at receiver, so using an H-back from time to time could be one way to get Meier onto the field.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a big blow when defensive end Da'Quan Bowers tore his Achilles tendon in an offseason workout. Even though the length of the offseason program has been shortened and new rules are in place limiting how much contact players can have even during regular-season practices, this type of thing still will happen. Anytime you get athletes out on the field, there is the potential for injury.

This one hurts because the Bucs thought Bowers could develop into a full-time starter in his second season. Bowers has said he expects to return at some point this season, but that may be overly optimistic. Adrian Clayborn and Michael Bennett could form a decent starting tandem, but the Bucs have to hope that someone like George Johnson can step into the third spot in the rotation. Johnson will get his chance between now and roster cuts at the end of the preseason. If he impresses, he could have a spot in the rotation. If not, the Bucs will be looking hard at the waiver wire in late August and early September.

The other thing to ponder here is what the injury means for Bowers’ career. He had micro-fracture knee surgery prior to last year’s draft and that led to a lot of speculation that his career might only last about four years. If Bowers does miss the entire season and the speculation about his knee turns out to be correct, his career could be about half over.

1. Carolina Panthers: The Panthers have the best one-two punch at running back in the entire league in Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. Although they traded Mike Goodson to the Raiders this offseason, they also signed Mike Tolbert, who could play some fullback as well as running back. The Panthers’ backfield is stacked.

I am extremely high on Stewart and would love to see what he would be able to do if he didn’t have to split time, as evidenced by his whopping 5.4-yard average in 2011. Stewart has power, elusiveness, is very fluid, but also explosive. He can be one of the very best running backs in the NFL. He has come into his own as a receiving option. Stewart’s 47 receptions last season were more than he accumulated over his first three years in the league combined. One knock on Stewart is that he could stand to improve as a pass blocker, but he also just recently turned 25, so his best might be yet to come.

There is also a ton to love about what Williams brings to the table. In 2008, Williams had a monster season, rushing for more than 1,500 yards. He has yet to approach such production again, but like Stewart, Williams averaged 5.4 yards per carry in 2011. Williams has great vision, runs with excellent pad level and I very much believe he has a lot more in the tank even though he recently turned 29. Williams is a solid receiver but seems to have been passed over by Stewart for the bulk of those duties.

Despite his stature, Tolbert also can contribute quite a bit in the passing game. I don’t see him as a fullback, but rather a punishing ball-carrier with an incredibly low center of gravity and excellent power. Tolbert has gotten into the end zone 21 times over the past two seasons and clearly excels near the goal line.

Having quarterback Cam Newton a part of this rushing attack helps a great deal, but the Panthers also will be getting mauling right tackle Jeff Otah back and drafted a similar bruising masher in the run game to play guard in Amini Silatolu. The Panthers should have one of the league’s very best rushing attacks -- and a very dangerous offense overall -- in 2012.

2. New Orleans Saints: The Saints have more backs than they know what to do with, but they distribute the touches from this position extremely effectively. The Saints did not have a first-round pick in this past draft because they traded it to acquire Mark Ingram in the 2011 draft. He appeared in only 10 games during his rookie season due to injury issues. He flashed some of that first-round ability during those games, but overall, it was a rough season for Ingram. However, this former Heisman Trophy winner has true “bell cow” running back traits. Ingram has an excellent combination of leverage, power and vision with a fine burst through the hole. He can make yardage on his own and has the temperament to carry the load. Ingram’s knee now has to be a bit of a concern, though.

The Saints’ most dynamic player at the position -- maybe in the entire league -- is Darren Sproles. He is pure electricity as a runner or receiver. And the Saints use Sproles’ talents to perfection. Drew Brees and the Saints’ coaching staff do a fantastic job of using personnel, formation and motion to get Sproles in advantageous situations -- either as a receiver against an inferior coverage player or as a runner against minimal defenders in the box. And Sproles excels when used in such a manner. As you would expect with his diminutive stature, Sproles can struggle in protection. But despite his size, Sproles hasn’t missed a game in the past four years and has missed only two games in his six-year career.

As third running backs go, Pierre Thomas has no equal in the NFL. Thomas is a potent blend of what both Ingram and Sproles bring to the table. Thomas is somewhat of a jack-of-all-trades, but a master of none. Thomas would start for several teams in the league right now. He finished the 2011 season with just under 1,000 combined yards.

Further showing off their embarrassment of riches as this position, the Saints also have Chris Ivory. Ivory isn’t flashy or dynamic, but he runs with great conviction and power. Getting Ivory the touches he deserves could prove difficult, unless Ingram’s knee remains a major problem.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers traded into the late first round to select Doug Martin. Considering Greg Schiano’s history at Rutgers favoring versatile two-way running backs like Ray Rice and Brian Leonard, I expect Martin to quickly grab ahold of the starting job in Tampa Bay over LeGarrette Blount.

Blount is a very powerful runner and is good overall with the ball in his hands, but he has fumbling issues and offers little as a receiver or in protection, which is just too much of an advantage to the opposing defense when he is on the field. But if given carries or if the Bucs are playing with a lead, which was rare last year, Blount can pound the opponent into submission. His career average of 4.6 yards per carry should not be easily dismissed, especially considering the circumstances he was under last year.

But Martin is the better all-around talent compared to Blount. A compact bowling ball with very good vision and a natural skill set for churning out yardage, Martin is also highly adept as a receiver out of the backfield. The Bucs also used a seventh-round pick on Michael Smith, which further shows their lack of trust in Blount.

Mossis Madu is also in the mix for Tampa Bay. As shown by their investments at guard, the Buccaneers are a run-first team. That is what Schiano wants and his offseason moves strongly indicate that is the approach Tampa Bay will be taking going forward, along with taking some shots deep downfield to Vincent Jackson. Martin should get the bulk of the running back touches, but there might be enough to keep both lead backs fed.

4. Atlanta Falcons: In a division loaded with high-quality running backs, Atlanta’s backfield is last on my list. Michael Turner is the lead back here. I see Turner as a declining player who needs a high volume of touches to be effective. Although Turner is a decent pass blocker, he offers very little as a receiver, which is a huge detriment in today’s NFL.

After Week 11 last season, Turner had only one game in which he rushed for more than 76 yards. Turner finished the season with 1,340 yards on the ground and six 100-yard days, but his performance was much too up and down on a week-to-week basis for a back of his nature. I am not implying Turner is over-the-hill. He isn’t. Turner still has value and can be very effective if used properly. But he just isn’t what he once was in terms of his elusiveness and burst. Amazingly though, Turner can still break off long runs. He also has missed only five games over the past five seasons, but I think the Falcons would be wise to get some insurance for their 30-year-old back.

Jacquizz Rodgers is ahead of the game with his blitz pickup for a young back, but now the Falcons need to enhance his role catching the football. That seems like the next logical step in this dynamic player’s development. As a runner, Rodgers certainly isn’t built to be a lead guy, but he shows some power for his size and is competitive in all phases of the position. He could break out in 2012.

Antone Smith and Dimitri Nance are also on Atlanta’s roster, but it seems logical that the Falcons will add another veteran running back with size to back up Turner.

At fullback, the Falcons have one of the best lead blockers in recent years in Ovie Mughelli, but the usage of a fifth-round pick on Bradie Ewing, another downhill hammer blocker, could be the beginning of the end for Mughelli in Atlanta. The Falcons also have Mike Cox, a pure battering-ram fullback, in the equation. But it is unlikely they keep three blocking fullbacks on the roster.

The New Orleans Saints and the continuing fallout from their bounty program was the dominant topic in Friday’s NFC South chat. But there were plenty of other topics that came up -- Drew Brees’ contract situation, Tampa Bay’s fresh start under Greg Schiano, hope for a better season from Atlanta’s Ray Edwards and Carolina rookie linebacker Luke Kuechly also were discussed.

Let’s take a look at the highlights:

Agentsaturn (Pantherland): Hey Pat, So whats the word on Jacoby Jones visiting the Panthers? Are they really looking for a FA receiver at this point?

Pat Yasinskas: Hurney doesn't bring guys in if he doesn't have some interest in them. Still, haven't heard any word on if they made him an offer or not.

Matt [via mobile]: Man what is the deal with Drew Brees. He made me a saints fan when I wasn't one I thought he's was one on the few good ones left and a true team mate. I know everybody wants to get paid but to me now it's become pride and pure greed with him. When is 20 million not enough? Thoughts?

Pat Yasinskas: I still think it will get done before too long. If he's not there for start of training camp, then I think it's fair to start pointing fingers. But, right now, it's just typical negotiating.

Matthew (Sarasota, Florida): How do you feel about the new Tampa regime now that free agency and the draft are over?

Pat Yasinskas: Like just about everything they've done. I also like the atmosphere Schiano is creating. Have you seen the tv commercial with him? I think it pretty much sums up the attitude he's trying to bring.

Matt (North Carolina): A lot of people criticized the Panthers for not drafting a DT (and gave them lower grades because of it). Does everyone forget about Ron Edwards coming back this year?

Pat Yasinskas: Excellent point. I think a lot of people have forgotten about Edwards. He was a big free-agent signing last year and Panthers obviously believe he will come back and be a force.

Corey babineaux (Louisiana): Everybody thinking the saints wool suffer this year because of suspensions. The offense will still put up 30+ a game and withe the additions the defense will be better. Your thoughts?

Pat Yasinskas: I think they still are very much a contender. We all know the offense is good. If Spagnuolo can get them to play a little defense, they could go a long way.

Stacey (AZ): I'm a bit confused over coach Vitt's suspension. Many have stated that Vitt will return after the Saints' bye week. This falls one game short of the suspension. Is Vitt's suspension in terms of weeks or games? If it is games then that would mean he doesn't return until two weeks after the bye. Can you clarify?

Pat Yasinskas: He is suspended for the first six games. Loomis is suspended for the first eight. It's about games, not weeks.

bird brain atl [via mobile]: who will the falcons use for a punt returner now that Weems is gone?

Pat Yasinskas: Excellent question and I think that will be decided in training camp. Dominiuqe Franks, Harry Douglas and Jacquizz Rodgers would seem like possibilities.

Kirk (Myrtle Beach): Was Kuechly drafted as insurance more for Beason or Davis. It was originally thought to be Davis, but Schefter's report about Achilles tendons taking 2 years to get back to normal makes me think Beason.

Pat Yasinskas: I think Kuechly was drafted there mostly because he was best player available. But, yeah the uncertainty about Davis and Beason certainly factors in. They got wiped out at LB last year and can't afford to have that happen again.

Matt Riddle (Atlanta, Ga): After a mediocre season Ray Edwards has all but disappeared from the discussion as a pass rush threat. Have the Falcons completely lost hope that Edwards can reach his potential?

Pat Yasinskas: I think they hope he'll step up this year. They've talked a little about how his knee wasn't healthy last year. Plus, I think Ray was a little embarrassed by last year and should be motivated.

Greg (Watertown, CT): Shouldn't we be including Asante Samuel in the Falcons' draft evaluations? And doesn't that make their draft look better?

Pat Yasinskas: Yeah, I think you could make that argument. He certainly makes their secondary better. He also should help their pass rush because QBs may be holding onto the ball for an extra split second or two.

Here’s the complete transcript of Friday’s NFC South chat.

The Atlanta Falcons have had the quietest offseason of any NFC South team. But that doesn't mean they won't have some changes in their starting lineup.

Now that the NFL draft is over, let's take a look at my best guess at what Atlanta's starting lineup will look like in September.

OFFENSE

• QB Matt Ryan

• RB Michael Turner

• FB Ovie Mughelli

• WR Roddy White

• WR Julio Jones

• TE Tony Gonzalez

• LT Sam Baker (or someone not yet on the roster)

• LG Justin Blalock

• C Joe Hawley (I’m guessing he starts ahead of Todd McClure)

• RG Peter Konz (unless he ends up playing center)

• RT Tyson Clabo

DEFENSE

• DE John Abraham

• DT Corey Peters

• DT Jonathan Babineaux

• DE Ray Edwards

• OLB Sean Weatherspoon

• MLB Akeem Dent (Falcons would like him to beat out veteran Lofa Tatupu)

• OLB Stephen Nicholas

• CB Brent Grimes

• CB Dunta Robinson (Asante Samuel will play as much as Grimes and Robinson)

• SS William Moore

• FS Thomas DeCoud

SPECIALISTS

• K Matt Bryant

• P Matt Bosher

• PR Dominique Franks

• KR Jacquizz Rodgers

Let’s take a look at some Monday afternoon headlines from around the NFC South.

• One of the NFL’s lead investigators in the Saints bounty program reportedly is resigning. But don’t get carried away with conspiracy theories. League officials said the investigator has had another job offer for some time, and part of the agreement with his new employer was that he would finish the bounty program investigation before leaving the NFL. He is scheduled to work through the end of May. Speaking of the bounty program, the NFL hasn't announced any player discipline so far Monday. If it hasn't come by this point, I'm pretty sure we'll have to wait at least another day.

• As expected, Atlanta running back Jacquizz Rodgers has given up his jersey number (22) to veteran cornerback Asante Samuel, who recently was acquired in a trade. Rodgers will now wear No. 32.

• Here’s the list of what numbers Atlanta’s draft picks are planning to wear.

• In this Insider post, Mel Kiper Jr. lists the players drafted in the first round who he thinks will have the biggest impact on their new teams. He lists Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin and Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly. No argument here. Martin might share playing time with LeGarrette Blount, but the rookie will be on the field more because he’s a more complete player. It remains to be seen if Kuechly or Jon Beason will occupy the middle, with the other sliding outside. But Kuechly’s going to be an instant starter. You don’t have a top-10 pick sitting on the bench.

• Speaking on Sirius NFL Radio, Seattle general manager John Schneider said Mark Barron, Kuechly and Bruce Irvin were the three-highest rated defensive players on Seattle’s board. So we know the Bucs weren’t the only team that had Barron rated above cornerback Morris Claiborne. Here’s the bottom line on that one: The Bucs played their hand very close to the vest and media (and therefore) fans weren’t expecting Barron. Instead, everyone focused on Claiborne. You probably don’t want to play poker with Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik.

• Former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson, who went undrafted, reportedly was scheduled for a tryout with Tampa Bay on Monday.

Let's take a look at the top draft-day headlines from around the NFC South.

Tom Sorensen writes that the Panthers must take North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples, unless Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon still is available at No. 9. I agree Blackmon would be a great pickup if he somehow slides. But I can see the Panthers going with Coples. I also can see them going with Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly, a defensive tackle or a cornerback.

Draft analyst Mike Mayock says the Panthers should stay clear of Coples. Mayock says that Coples is a boom-or-bust player that comes with risk.

The Panthers put Mississippi State offensive tackle Lamar Holmes through an individual workout Wednesday. Holmes is viewed as a late-round pick. He’s from just outside Charlotte, and the workout was held at his former high school.

Speaking of the Panthers and potential late-round picks, keep an eye on Mississippi State wide receiver Darius Reynolds. The Panthers called him this week to make sure they have his correct phone number.

There has been some speculation the Buccaneers could move up to No. 3 to assure they will get either Alabama running back Trent Richardson or LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. But that’s easier said than done, because the Bucs don’t have a fourth-round pick at the moment. If they want to move up two spots to get Minnesota’s pick, they likely would have to give up their first- and third-round choices, and that might be too steep a price.

Martin Fennelly writes that the Bucs should stay at No. 5, or trade down and add an extra pick or two.

The Saints won’t be active players in Thursday’s portion of the draft. In fact, they won’t be active until late Friday night. The Saints don’t have a pick until the third round (No. 89 overall). They traded away their first-round pick last year in the deal to get Mark Ingram, and had to forfeit their second-round pick as part of their punishment for the bounty program.

Sounds like Atlanta second-year running back Jacquizz Rodgers could be earning an unexpected bonus. Rodgers wore No. 22 as a rookie. But cornerback Asante Samuel, acquired Tuesday in a trade, sounded pretty confident he can get Rodgers to give up the number.

Given the way Atlanta Falcons fans have reacted to what the team has done (or, more accurately, not done) this offseason, I was expecting Arthur Blank to pull out earmuffs as he reached into his pocket just before the start of an interview last week.

It didn’t happen. Instead, the owner of the Falcons pulled out a pair of sunglasses. This was a rare step outside during the NFL owners meetings in Palm Beach, Fla. He slipped on the shades, surveyed the Atlantic Ocean, sat down on a bench and started explaining, in great detail, the course his team has chosen.

Maybe this will, once and for all, stop all the screaming in Atlanta about how the Falcons didn’t pursue LB Mario Williams and didn’t really do much of anything in free agency. Blank has a detailed answer for that and, when you listen, it should all start to make sense.

There was a moment when I looked directly at Blank, but could have sworn I was seeing and hearing Gene Hackman. It was almost exactly like the scene in “Hoosiers," where the basketball coach played by Hackman firmly tells a referee “my team is on the court" after a player fouls out and the coach elects to go with four players instead of turning back to a player who had defied orders.

Blank has said, “My team is on the field."

Yeah, the marquee free-agent signings have been linebacker Lofa Tatupu and guard Vince Manuwai. And Atlanta fans aren’t exactly jumping up and down about the fact that the Falcons re-signed defensive end John Abraham and center Todd McClure; it wouldn’t have surprised anyone if they decided to retire. Throw in the re-signing of role players Thomas DeCoud, Jason Snelling and Harry Douglas, and it’s easy to see why a lot of Atlanta fans believe the Falcons haven’t done a single thing to get better after ending last season with an embarrassing playoff loss to the New York Giants.

But Blank has an explanation, so let’s hear it.

“I feel good about where we are,’’ Blank said. “I know we didn’t make a big splash going into free agency. But that really wasn’t our intention going into this year. We really felt we had a lot of talent. We were fortunate that we had the opportunity to bring in the two new coordinators and a few other coaches. At some point, it’s not even a matter of if the contents are correct. Sometimes, it’s a matter of who is delivering the message and whether the players are hearing it or not.’’

The man makes a good point. The 2011 Falcons team that went 10-6 (and didn't play with much consistency) was essentially the same team that went 13-3 and played with a great deal of consistency in 2010. The 2012 Falcons have largely the same roster as the previous two teams. In the eyes of Blank, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith, the problem last season and the reason this team hasn’t won a playoff game under the current administration isn’t about the roster.

Maybe the roster was just fine, but the coaching staff and the schemes were holding back the Falcons. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey left after the season to become head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder left after the season to become the defensive coordinator at Auburn. Both men left on their own, but I get the impression that if they hadn’t, they might have been shown the door.

Let’s be honest here. Mularkey’s offensive system reached its peak in 2010 and didn’t get any better even with the addition of talented rookie receiver Julio Jones last season. VanGorder’s defense was solid but never dominant, which was a disappointment because the Falcons have some individual talent on defense. Mularkey has been replaced by Dirk Koetter, and VanGorder has been replaced by Mike Nolan.

“I love the selections that Smitty and Thomas made,’’ Blank said.

I get the sense that the days of QB Matt Ryan rolling out and almost always checking down are over. I get the sense that the days of sitting back in the Cover 2 are long gone.

“Dirk and I have had numerous discussions in terms of what our players are capable of doing,’’ Smith said during the meetings. “I think, first and foremost, you have to design your schemes toward what the players are capable of doing. We’ve spent a lot of time identifying the strengths and weakness of all our guys and what they do well and what they don’t do well, and we want to put together an offense that accentuates their strengths.’’

In other words, the Falcons aren’t going to be handing the ball to Michael Turner 300-plus times a season. They’re going to try to take some shots downfield with Jones and Roddy White, and they’re going to get versatile second-year running back Jacquizz Rodgers more involved in the offense. They also will try to put Ryan in a position where he can go from being a good quarterback to an elite one.

Smith said he’s had similar discussions with Nolan, the former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers who has had success as a defensive coordinator elsewhere. Nolan is noted for producing aggressive defenses. Some minor tweaks to attitude and scheme could provide an upgrade over the VanGorder units that never were able to establish any sort of identity.

Blank made quite a bit of noise after the loss to the Giants about how simply getting to the playoffs wasn’t good enough. He wants his team to win playoff games and contend for the Super Bowl.

That really hasn’t changed. But after the heat of the moment cooled a bit, Blank, Smith and Dimitroff sat back and realized they weren’t all that far from where they wanted to be. Early in his days as an owner, Blank was portrayed as hands-on and reactionary. I don’t think those descriptions really fit him anymore and I think he’s learned from his past. I think Blank is at a stage where he remains plugged in but trusts Smith and Dimitroff to make the football decisions.

“I went back and studied this over a long period of time in the NFL and studied the great teams,’’ Blank said. “Consistency is very important in terms of leadership with coaches and players. The great teams, what they have done is they’ve kept their head coaches for a longer period of time, kept their general managers for a longer period of time, and they identified early enough their core players and they extended them. The football staff has done a great job of identifying the players that can help us and keep them.’’

The salary cap also was a factor in the Falcons’ approach to the offseason. Pursuing Williams or some other big names in free agency would have meant sacrificing continuity. The only key player the Falcons lost was middle linebacker Curtis Lofton -- and that was a calculated loss. Lofton wanted a lot of money and Atlanta placed a limit on his value. If the Falcons had made just one or two big free-agency moves and kept Lofton, guys like Abraham, McClure, DeCoud, Douglas and Snelling wouldn’t be on the roster. The team would have had to cut other players to free up cap room. The Falcons could have made a splash, but it would have left them with all sorts of holes.

“What you have to look at is, this is not like baseball,’’ Blank said. “There are limits. This is real money and not monopoly money … one of the beauties in the NFL is that in July and August fans of every team think their team has a chance to go to the playoffs or to go to the Super Bowl and win it. The salary-cap system forces you to make some tough choices. Thomas and Smitty and their staffs made these choices because they believe they were the ones that will give us the biggest bang for the buck going forward. I certainly tested their logic and asked questions, but I think their plan was all very sound and well-formulated.’’

Like it or not, Blank is putting his team (the one chosen by Smith and Dimitroff) on the field this fall. You might not like it now and that’s fine with Blank. He thinks you’ll like it a lot more as the season goes along.

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- I got to spend some quality time with Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith at the owners meetings and I’ve got a bunch of different nuggets I’ll share with you over the coming days.

I’m not going in any particular order, but I’m going to start off with Jacquizz Rodgers. Most of you know I rarely make predictions and I’m not going to break tradition, especially when we’re only in March. But if you asked me which way I’m leaning right now as far as a breakout player or most-improved player for the division in 2012, I’d say Rodgers.

Part of it is based on what I saw out of Rodgers in a limited role last season. But I’m not a scout or a coach. My conversation with Smith about Rodgers is why I’m buying into this one. I could sense genuine excitement in Smith’s voice as he talked about the running back the Falcons drafted in the fifth round last season.

There’s another factor at work here. That’s Atlanta feature back Michael Turner. Smith already has said several times this offseason the Falcons want to limit Turner’s carries going forward. Smith said that again to me and I asked him how the Falcons will make up for those carries. He’s not going to hand me the playbook or his game plan, but I think his answer was fairly telling.

“Jacquizz figures into that quite a bit,’’ Smith said. “We drafted him to be a change-of-pace back and we found out very quickly that he’s a guy that is more than a change-of-pace back. Even though he’s short, he’s not little. He’s a guy we feel like we can integrate more into our offense.’’

I have little doubt that’s going to happen. Rodgers only carried 57 times for 205 yards last season and caught 21 passes for 188 yards. But -- rare fantasy football advice here -- those numbers are going to jump.

The Falcons found out Rodgers can run the ball better than they expected. They’ll run him more next season. They thought he could catch passes out of the backfield and he proved that. He’ll get even more chances.

Heck, with new coordinator Dirk Koetter and Rodgers, the Falcons might no longer be the NFL team that utilizes the screen pass the least.

The Atlanta Falcons just announced they have agreed to contract terms with running back Jason Snelling.

Seemingly, that means the Falcons will go with their top three running backs from last season. Michael Turner has been the starter, with Snelling and rookie Jacquizz Rodgers each playing backup roles last season.

But I’m not sure the Falcons are done at running back. They could add another runner in free agency or the draft.

Coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff already have said several times that they plan to cut down Turner’s carries in 2012. That’s a good idea, because Turner has handled a ton of carries the past four seasons and his production slumped at the end of last season, although a lingering groin injury probably played a role in that.

Even if the Falcons stick with what they have, look for Snelling and Rodgers to get more playing time. Rodgers is clearly a speed back, and can be used in passing situations. But Snelling, who also can play fullback, can handle some of the snaps that have gone to Turner in the past.

Snelling, like Turner, is a power runner. He also has shown decent ability as a receiver out of the backfield.

The Atlanta Falcons quietly continue to move through the process of getting ready for the start of free agency.

After placing the franchise tag on cornerback Brent Grimes, the Falcons are now dealing with some other players that were not under contract for 2012.

The team announced Tuesday morning that tight end Michael Palmer and running back Antone Smith have signed their exclusive-rights tenders.

Palmer, who joined the Falcons in 2010, isn’t known as a pass-catcher, and that’s not needed because Atlanta has Tony Gonzalez in that role. But Palmer has played an important role in the offense as a blocker.

Smith has spent the past two seasons with the Falcons, playing primarily on special teams. But he also has some ability as a running back, and he could get a chance to show more of that moving forward. The Falcons have made it clear they want to lighten the load of feature back Michael Turner.

They have Jacquizz Rodgers, who is likely to get more use as a speed back in his second season. But Smith could compete with Jason Snelling as part of the rotation.

Time for a look at the Sunday morning headlines from around the division.

Carolina coach Ron Rivera said reserve quarterback Jimmy Clausen remains in the mix for next season. Let’s see if that holds true next month when Clausen is due a roster bonus of nearly $1 million. That’s a lot to pay a guy that was inactive for every game last season.

Atlanta coach Mike Smith revealed defensive end Ray Edwards had postseason knee surgery. Smith said the knee was bothering Edwards during the season. That may explain why Edwards, Atlanta’s top free-agent pickup last year, had such a quiet season.

The Falcons reportedly are exploring the possibility of extending quarterback Matt Ryan’s contract. Although Ryan has two years remaining on his original deal, this would make sense because the Falcons could knock down Ryan’s cap figure for this year and create more room to sign free agents. An extension for Ryan also would silence the critics who are saying that the quarterback is not the long-term answer for the Falcons.

The Falcons are considering the possibility of using the franchise tag on cornerback Brent Grimes. That would cost the team $10.6 million.

LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers, who many are projecting as Carolina’s pick at No. 9, has decided not to run the 40-yard dash or do the bench press at the combine. Brockers said he will do both at his pro day.

For the second time this offseason, Smith has publicly declared the Falcons will limit running back Michael Turner’s carries going forward. Makes sense because Turner has handled a lot of carries the past four seasons and he’s not getting any younger. Turner still will be the feature back, but the Falcons plan to give more playing time to Jacquizz Rodgers.

Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik said the team wants to re-sign kicker Connor Barth. If that doesn’t happen, Dominik implied the Bucs would use the franchise tag on Barth.

Jeff Duncan writes that the Saints’ offseason will be considered a success if the team can find a way to keep quarterback Drew Brees, guard Carl Nicks and receiver Marques Colston. He’s right, but that’s going to be a challenge. The Saints have been so tied up with the Brees deal that Nicks and Colston said talks about new deals for them haven’t begun. It’s likely those talks will heat up as soon as a deal gets done with Brees and the Saints could use the franchise tag on Nicks and Colston. Even if the Saints find a way to keep all three, they probably will lose some free agents they’d like to keep. Receiver Robert Meachem and cornerback Tracy Porter are likely to draw some interest from outside and the Saints might not have enough cap room to keep them.

The Bucs reportedly have paid $500,000 to Rutgers as part of the buyout clause coach Greg Schiano owed the university. A Rutgers spokesperson said a $300,000 balance remains on a home loan that Rutgers gave Schiano.

Only two NFC South running backs were on the field for more than 50 percent of their team’s offensive plays.

Carolina’s Jonathan Stewart led the division at 55.2 percent. Stewart was on the field for 577 of Carolina’s 1,046 offensive plays. Atlanta’s Michael Turner took part in 52.2 percent of his offense’s plays. Turner was on the field for 588 of 1,127 snaps.

Neither player was in the top 10 among the league’s running backs. Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy led the league as he played on 81.1 percent of his team’s snaps.

There were a few other items of interest when it came to playing time for NFC South running backs. While Stewart led the division, his teammate, DeAngelo Williams, was third in the NFC South at 42.73 percent, just ahead of New Orleans’ Darren Sproles 42.71 percent.

Tampa Bay was the only team without a single running back to play at least 40 percent of his team’s snaps. Starter LeGarrette Blount participated in 38.4 of the Bucs’ snaps, which was a problem. The Bucs were hesitant to use Blount as a pass blocker or receiver, so their offense was predictable because Tampa Bay generally was running when Blount was on the field.

Blount’s backup, Kregg Lumpkin, was on the field for 35.9 percent of Tampa Bay’s snaps. Earnest Graham also split time at fullback and tailback for the Bucs before suffering a season-ending injury. Graham took part in 18.8 percent of Tampa Bay's offensive plays.

Here’s the rundown on the percentage of plays the rest of the NFC South running backs took part in:

Pierre Thomas, Saints, 33.8.

Jacquizz Rodgers, Falcons, 28.

Jason Snelling, Falcons, 27.9.

Mark Ingram, Saints, 18.6.

Chris Ivory, Saints, 10.4.

Mossis Madu, Buccaneers, 5.9.

Josh Vaughn, Panthers, 1.1.

Mike Goodson, Panthers, 0.4.

Antone Smith, Falcons 0.2

As I read through the highlights of the season wrap-up news conference Falcons owner Arthur Blank, coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff had a little earlier Wednesday, one thing caught my eye.

The Falcons said that running back Michael Turner’s touches likely will be reduced moving forward. I find that very interesting on several levels.

Although Turner finished the season with 1,340 rushing yards, I didn’t think he looked like the same back as he did in earlier seasons. Turner looked slow, especially as the season went on. After Week 11, he had only one 100-yard rushing game and that was against a dismal Tampa Bay defense in the season finale.

Turner was dealing with a groin injury for much of the second half of the season and that might have played a role in keeping him quiet down the stretch.

But there’s something else. Turner will turn 30 in February. Turning 30 is almost never a good thing for a running back, especially one who has more than 300 carries in each of the past four seasons.

Turner remains under contract through 2013 and I don’t think the Falcons are ready to part ways with him. But I think it’s safe to say that they already have signaled they plan to reduce his role.

The Falcons increased the playing time of rookie Jacquizz Rodgers as the season went on. I don’t see Rodgers taking over Turner’s role because they’re different types of running backs. Turner is a power back and Rodgers is a speed back. But I think the Falcons may gear their offense a little more toward taking advantage of Rodgers’ speed.

Jason Snelling has been Turner’s main backup and he is a power back. But Snelling never has been viewed as a potential long-term successor to Turner. I think the Falcons could spend part of the offseason looking for another power back to pair with Turner.

Time for a look at the Friday morning headlines around the NFC South.

When the Falcons and Saints play Monday night, the two shortest players in the NFL will be on the field. Atlanta running back Jacquizz Rodgers and New Orleans running back Darren Sproles are 5-foot-6. The Falcons gradually have been creating a bigger role for Rodgers. They might be wise to take notes on how the Saints use Sproles.

They’ll be holding a reunion for University of Miami tight ends at Bank of America Stadium when the Panthers host the Bucs on Saturday. Carolina’s Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey and Tampa Bay’s Kellen Winslow all played at Miami. Carolina offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski was the Miami tight ends coach. In related news, Winslow said he believes Chudzinski will make a great head coach. Chudzinski’s name has popped up as a coordinator on the rise and he could be interviewed for some top jobs after the season.

Although specific details of the draft-pick compensation the Saints will receive for trading Reggie Bush to Miami in the summer are not known, Mike Triplett reports what New Orleans gets is not tied to Bush’s on-field performance.

Tampa Bay linebacker Geno Hayes, who can become a free agent after the season, said there have been no talks about a contract extension. But Hayes said he would like to remain with the Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay cornerback Myron Lewis, a third-round pick last season, hasn’t received a lot of playing time. But, with Aqib Talib lost for the season, Lewis should at least be active Saturday at Carolina, and he might get a chance to validate his draft position.

Call it icing on the cake, padding the stats or whatever you want. But the Atlanta Falcons now are up to a whopping 68 total yards on screen passes. Yep, the Falcons gained seven yards on a screen in their victory against Jacksonville.

For those who don’t get sarcasm, this is it. At various points throughout the season, we’ve been tracking how little the Falcons use the screen pass. Quarterback Matt Ryan has completed 16 of 19 screens. Of the quarterbacks who have started every game, Ryan has less attempts and less yards than anyone. Of the quarterbacks on the list from ESPN Stats and Information, Kansas City’s Matt Cassel comes the closest to Ryan and the Falcons. Cassel has completed 11 of 15 screens for 17 yards. But Cassel has dealt with injuries and started just nine games.

For the sake of comparison, let’s take a look at what the other NFC South quarterbacks have done on screen passes. Carolina rookie Cam Newton has thrown for a league-high 439 yards while completing 50 of 55 screens.

New Orleans’ Drew Brees is No. 4 in the league with 367 yards while completing 47 of 54 attempts. Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman has completed 34 of 39 screens for 263 yards.

Memo to Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey: I get it that Michael Turner isn’t the best receiver in the league out of the backfield and that you want to save his energy for rushing attempts. But Jason Snelling’s the kind of back that can run over people if he gets a running start, and rookie Jacquizz Rodgers is the kind of back that at least has the potential to blow by defenders any time he touches the ball. Besides, if you end up in that head-coaching job in Jacksonville, there's a guy named Maurice Jones-Drew who can have a pretty big impact on screens. So it might be a good idea to at least try a few more screens.