With the addition of running back TJ Duckett via a three team trade, THN wants to take the opportunity to introduce Redskins fans to this powerful ball carrier. -eds
Born: 02/17/1981
Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI
College: Michigan State
Drafted / Acquired: Drafted 18th overall by Atlanta in 2002 / Trade 2006 to Redskins
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 254
Position: RB
Years Pro: 4
Number: 36
Word around the League
Big, powerful inside runner with surprising quickness and nimbleness. Runs low, keeps his legs churning and delivers a blow to the tackler. Can cutback and will sometimes explode when he hits the hole. Has enough speed to run the sweep. Duckett may start if Portis is out, but he’ll probably share carries with Ladell Betts
Pro Career
2004: Played in 14 out of 16 games for the Falcons. He ranked second on the team with a 4.9 yards per carry and 8 TDs and second in the NFL in percentage of carries for first downs.
2003: Played the full season and started 10 games, Lead all Atlanta backs with a career-high 779 yards and the ranked third in the Falcon history books with 11 rushing touchdowns in a season.
2002: Started 3 games as a rookie and rushed 130 times for 500+ yards and four TDs. Missed four games with injury to his right foot.
College Career
2001: Started every game, leading the team with 263 carries for 1,420 yards (5.4 avg) and 12 touchdowns. Caught 12 passes for 80 yards (6.7 avg), and 1 TD. Averaged 125 all-purpose yards per game. Second on the team in scoring, with 78 points. Rushed for over 100 yards in seven games. Selected All-America second-team and All-Big Ten Conference first-team by The NFL Draft Report.
2000: Started every game, except vs. Illinois at tailback, Gained 1,353 yards with seven touchdowns on 240 carries (5.6 avg.). Caught eight passes for 39 yards (4.9 avg.), Ran for over 100 yards six times and was a All-Big Ten Conference second-team choice by the league’s coaches and media.
1999: Carried 118 times for 606 yards (5.1 avg) and ten touchdowns. Gained 32 yards on a pair of catches (16.0 avg), Played in every game as a reserve tailback, also worked in practice as an outside linebacker. Freshman All-America second-team selection by The Sporting News
Personal Bio
Consensus prep All-American at Loy Norrix (Kalamazoo, Mich.) High … Ranked among the nation’s top five players by nearly every recruiting publication, including No. 1 by Rivalnet, Rated the state’s top prospect by The Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News and Lansing State Journal … Named National High School Back of the Year in 1998 by the Touchdown Club of Atlanta. Graduated with a 3.2 grade-point average with a Parks and Recreation major … Nicknamed “Diesel” … Resides in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Bernie Marshall