Wanted: Double the return
Falcons look for versatile or power running back

By D. Orlando Ledbetter
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/18/08

The Falcons have spent heavily on their backfield, showering lucrative free-agent contracts on running back Michael Turner and fullback Ovie Mughelli the past two seasons. They also drafted running back Jerious Norwood, who will serve as a complement to Turner.

The position is not high on the Falcons' list of needs in next week's NFL draft, but they'll likely look at running backs who double as return men. They may also try to sign an undrafted free-agent power running back.

Fresno State's Clifton Smith, who averaged 14.4 yards on punt returns and returned two for touchdowns last season, could land in Atlanta as a late draft pick or undrafted free agent.

"When you see stuff on ESPN, that makes you sick," Smith said. "Your name is not even mentioned as one of the top guys and you know you're one of the best people. It's just one of those nerve-racking kind of things. You're just hoping to get a phone call on draft day so that you can get a chance."

Smith has five career punt returns for touchdowns and averaged 17.1 yards per return during his career, tops in the draft.

"My teammates worked so hard for me to keep the gunners off of me," Smith said. "It's one of those things where I see something, make my move, get up the field and get going."

Smith's name should sound familiar to Georgia Tech fans. He ran for 152 yards and had 221 all-purpose yards in Fresno State's 40-28 victory over the Yellow Jackets in the Humanitarian Bowl.

Because he is 5 feet 8, 190 pounds, some scouts question if he'll be able to run inside in the NFL.

"A few teams asked me if I was afraid to run between the tackles," Smith said. "The only thing I'm scared of is Jesus."

A knock on Smith, who had a knee injury in 2005 that he took two years to fully recover from, is that he doesn't have blazing speed. He's run between 4.56 and 4.63 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

"To be a great returner, you have to be quick, and that's Cliff's game," said Jason Dillard, his agent who was publicizing Smith at the NFL scouting combine.

Smith said, "I'm not a track star."

Mark Olson, the Falcons' scout for the West region, attended Fresno State's pro day workouts.

Other bigger-name rushers, such as Missouri's Tony Temple, West Virginia's Steve Slaton and Kentucky's Rafael Little, could turn into pro returners.

The top running back/kick returner in the draft is Arkansas' Felix Jones. He averaged 29.6 yards on kickoff returns, including two touchdowns last season. But when the Falcons get around to addressing the position, Jones will be long gone.

If the Falcons elect to add a bigger, hard-charging running back, they will have options late in the draft. That's how they added Jason Snelling last season in the seventh round.

Mississippi's BenJarvus Green-Ellis is one of those hard runners expected to be available late.

Alley Broussard, who started his career at LSU, is an intriguing prospect. He split carries early in his career with Joseph Addai and Justin Vincent. He fell out of favor when Les Miles replaced Nick Saban. Broussard, a power runner without much coast-to-coast speed, finished his career at Missouri Southern State.

Arkansas running back Darren McFadden figures to be the first running back selected.

"He's a great running back," said Kevin Colbert, the Pittsburgh Steelers' director of football operations. "He's big. He's fast. He's productive. He's going to be a great back in the league."

RUNNING BACKS

A look at five running backs the Falcons may select in next week's NFL draft:

1. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Mississippi: The Rebels' fifth all-time leading rusher. A powerful runner between the tackles.

2. Xavier Omon, Northwest Missouri State: Has nice size at 5 feet 11, 230 pounds. Ran for 2,337 yards last season.

3. Clifton Smith, Fresno State: The top running back/punt returner in the draft.

4. Alley Broussard, Missouri Southern State: A strong, authoritative runner who lacks top-flight speed.

5. Rafael Little, Kentucky: Could develop into a kickoff returner but had some fumbling issues.