Matt Ryan, Michael Turner return to practice
FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner both returned to
Ryan returned to practice on Thursday. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
practice on Thursday.
Both have missed the last two games. Ryan suffered a turf toe injury and Turner re-injured his right ankle sprain on Nov. 29 against Tampa Bay.
Both are hopeful that they will be able to play against the New York Jets on Sunday.
“Nobody likes to have to sit down, but it’s something that you’re going to have to deal with at different points in your career,” Ryan said.
Turner originally was injured against Carolina on Nov. 15. He tried to play two weeks later against Tampa Bay and was re-injured.
“You just want to try to get back out there and be productive,” Turner said. “It’s very important to see where I’m at, to see if the soreness will go away and things like that. I need to see if I can really handle, playing and cutting.
Michael Turner returned to practice. If he doesn't have a reaction to the work, he's said, "there's no question" that he'll play on Sunday. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
“It’s still not quite 100 percent, but if it feels like that, there would be no question that I will be playing.”
The Falcons were elated to see their top two offensive weapons back on the field.
“He was out there firing the ball everywhere,” wide receiver Roddy White said of Ryan. “He was out there controlling the huddle and telling guys to listen up. That was good.”
SEVERAL GAMES LOST TO INJURY: Just wondering if we jinxed the Falcons when we wrote about the team’s functional movement screens and how it helped to keep them healthy.
Well, this season they are amongst the league leaders in players placed on the injury reserve list and likely in games loss by starters, too.
Pro Football Weekly did its ranking on the NFL’s most injured teams. In the “Infirmary Report” the Falcons were tied for 17th with the most players on the injured-reserve list with six.
The report came out before Brian Finneran was placed on injured-reserve on Tuesday. I think they missed
Tiffany Gilbert, wife of Atlanta Falcons linebacker Tony Gilbert and member of the Off the Field players' wives club, hit the aisles of Sam's Club last Thursday to find the perfect holiday gifts for ten Atlanta-area families as part of an annual, charitable "Dream Drive" partnership with the Salvation Army and Sam's Club.
linebacker Tony Gilbert (hamstring) because the Falcons have eight players on injured reserve.
Here’s the group: wide receiver Harry Douglas (knee), defensive tackle Peria Jerry (knee), cornerback Brian Williams (knee), safety William Moore (hamstring), safety Jamaal Fudge (knee) and long snapper Mike Schneck (broken ribs).
Buffalo (15), Detroit (12), New Orleans (12), Baltimore (11) and Tampa Bay (11) are the top five teams. Only New Orleans has a winning record in the group.
Another way to count the impact of injuries is to count the games missed by starters. Here’s the rundown of 32 games missed by starters:
Left tackle Sam Baker (two games).
Right guard Harvey Dahl (two games).
Wide receiver Michael Jenkins (one game).
Quarterback Matt Ryan (two games).
Running back Michael Turner (three games).
Fullback Ovie Mughell (two games).
Defensive tackle Thomas Johnson (two games).
Cornerback Brian Williams (eight).
Defensive tackle Peria Jerry (10)
Not playing has been tough on Turner, who periodically will drop by the open locker room sessions to give us an update. We haven’t heard from Ryan since his injury on Nov. 29 so we don’t know how he’s coping with his turf toe.
It’s “Day 18 in the Where’s Matt Media Watch.”
It’s clearly killing Turner that he can help out while the Falcons have gone 1-3 since he hurt the ankle against Charlotte on Nov. 15.
“It’s very difficult,” Turner said. “You want to be out there trying to help your teammates win. Helping them pull of a win. Football is a game where injuries happen. You just have to deal with it.”
Turner said he doesn’t regret trying to come back too soon against Tampa Bay on Nov. 29 either.
Also, key reserves like Jerious Norwood (six games) and Finneran (three) have also missed games.
Last season, Baker, who suffered a concussion and a back injury, was the only starter to miss any games. He missed 11 starts, but played in eight games, making five starts.
The Falcons don’t want to make excuses for their 6-7 record, but you can’t ignore an injury list this long.
E-MAIL BAG: Exchanged a few e-mails with Tom over biased officiated. He didn’t like the call on Grimes either.
“Thanks for responding.
I did get some satisfaction from hearing Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin calling the interference flag bogus, then seeing the ESPN panel put it on their “C’mon Man” list last night.
The NFL has always justified not publicly admitting officiating errors by saying that it would hurt public confidence in the game. I’ve always felt that it is actually just the opposite. It gives the appearance of the league covering up its dirt.
Anyway, keep up the good work.
Go Falcons,
Tom”
Atlanta Falcons wives and members of Off the Field hit the aisles of Sam's Club to fill baskets with clothes, household products and toys to brighten the holiday season for ten Atlanta-area families as part of an annual, charitable "Dream Drive" partnership with the Salvation Army and Sam's Club.
FALCONS WIVES SPREADING CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: Some of the Falcons wives participated in the Third Annual Dream Drive program.
The wives from Off the Field Players Wives Association worked with Sam’s Club to select a wide range of holiday gifts, including clothes, food, personal items and toys, in an effort to brighten the holiday season for some Salvation Army families. (This season I haven’t been walking past the bell ringers at Wal-Mart. Feeling pretty good about throwing a little cash in the red bucket!)
The Atlanta Dream Drive event was held last Thursday at the Sam’s Club on Clairmont Road in North Atlanta. At the event, wives of seven Atlanta Falcons players shopped for 10 local families, totaling $10,000 in food and gifts.
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thejetsblog.com » QB Matt Ryan & RB Michael Turner Return to Practice Today
December 17th, 2009
3:52 pm
[...] the word out of Georgia is that both Matt Ryan and Michael Turner were cleared to practice today, and they returned to the field on [...]
Will
December 17th, 2009
3:54 pm
I’m just glad sorry Vick is gone.
TMoney
December 17th, 2009
3:55 pm
JackLackey
December 17th, 2009
3:46 pm
Tracy Hamm was the best running quarterback to EVER play in the state of GA, BAR NONE.
Played a little in Canada too…
In 1989 he won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Award in leading the Edmonton Eskimos to a 16-2 record, throwing for 4366 yards on 268 completions out of 517 attempts with 30 touchdowns to 18 interceptions. Plus Ham became the first CFL passer to rush for over 1000 yards with 1005 on 125 carries, with 10 rushing touchdowns.
Vick? Who?
___________________________
You’re reminding me of the golden years at Southern…
Barbara
December 17th, 2009
4:09 pm
I don’t care if Ryan is back he still looks like a deer when the car headlights hit him SCARED
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
4:10 pm
Those that accepts mediocracy has no room to criticize failure.
I like how some people say “he is not a real quarterback” yet the current “real” quarterback can’t seem to win “real” games
So what’s the use of having a “real” quarterback if a “fake” quarterback has all the records
By the way, this “fake” quarterback will be seen in PRIME TIME when your “real” quarterback will be watching from his grandmother’s living room – AGAIN
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
4:13 pm
hey how does this sound on for next year our def. tackes cody from ala. and jerry. boy that’s some tackles
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
4:14 pm
Barbara
December 17th, 2009
4:09 pm
I don’t care if Ryan is back he still looks like a deer when the car headlights hit him SCARED
“Too funny, but true”
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
4:22 pm
choke, talk all about bad the falcons are. we do not care. if u are so much better why are u not out there. enough said. your opinion does not count just like ours. we are not the gm of the falcons. call 411 for the falcons phone number and tell them your beef. the falcons will compete for a championship with ryan by his 5th year unlike vick and i liked him. he is a great athlete but not a QB. how many pass were over our wr heads. again i like vick glad he is back in the league but he is not here so move on.
Will
December 17th, 2009
4:24 pm
Vick = 3rd STRING QB…..LOL
Rocky Mountian Falcon
December 17th, 2009
4:24 pm
If Ryan and Turner are back, we have a 75% chance of going 9-7. Otherwise its a 50-50 crap-shoot.
GO FALCONS!!!
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
December 17th, 2009
4:43 pm
People oh people….just ignore “CHOKE”. It’s the same comments week after week, post after post….and the AJC is too afraid to delete his drivel for fear of being labeled “RACISTS”. Oldest trick in the book from “HOW TO RANT WITHOUT BEING INTELLIGENT 101″
Football season is coming to an end soon so maybe during the off season he’ll find something constructive to do with his life so that next year…..WE’LL BE FREE AT LAST…THANK GOD ALMIGHTY WE’LL BE FREE AT LAST….HOPEFULLY!!!!!
MV#777
December 17th, 2009
4:46 pm
The Intelligencer
The Michael Vick experiment doesn’t look quite so much like an experiment anymore. It looks like a success.
Vick has 11 touches in the last two games and among them are two touchdown runs, a touchdown pass, a 32-yard completion to set up a touchdown against the Giants, a 43-yard completion to set up a touchdown in Atlanta, a five-yard run for a first down and a five-yard run down to the 1-yard line to set up a touchdown against the Giants.
“It’s funny how you don’t hear anybody say, ‘Oh, Michael Vick is going to upset the offense’s rhythm’ anymore,” guard Todd Herremans said with a chuckle Monday. “I don’t think he’s upsetting our rhythm right now.”
Vick is no longer a work in progress. He’s an intriguing weapon that Eagles head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg are increasingly placing in critical situations.
After spending a year and a half in prison and not playing football for nearly three years, Vick is starting to look once again like the guy who went to three Pro Bowls for the Falcons between the 2002 and 2005 seasons.
“It’s great to have some plays in the offense where you can actually have some success,” Vick said after the Eagles beat the Giants 45-38 Sunday night at Giants Stadium. “I felt relaxed. I felt good. I felt myself again.”
Vick’s role has evolved since he made his Eagles debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Eagles third preseason game on Aug 28. He no longer is a Wildcat. He’s simply a quarterback like he was during his big years in Atlanta as a threat to run or throw whenever he’s on the field.
“The tough thing about him is you can’t view it as what everybody in the league refers to as Wildcat,” Giants defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan said. “He is a quarterback. You have to treat him like a quarterback.”
That means defenses can’t cheat up like they would against a pure Wildcat quarterback. They have to play the Eagles honest, since Vick is now throwing the ball so well. That makes him an even more dangerous runner.
“He’s a quarterback with great athletic ability and a great arm,” Reid said. “You’re talking about one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL before he was suspended there.”
Earlier this year, Vick was missing when he threw. He missed a wide-open DeSean Jackson on what would have been a 30-yard gain in San Diego. Now, he’s hitting those passes.
Advertisement In his first nine games after serving a two-game suspension, Vick was 3-for-9 for six yards. The last two, he’s 3-for-4 for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Similarly, he was 12-for-27 rushing (2.3 average) up through the Chargers game. During the Eagles’ four-game winning streak, he’s run 10 times for 66 yards (6.6 average) and two TDs.
He’s been almost unstoppable on third down, running seven times, converting six times, and gaining 68 yards on those seven runs – an average of 9.7 yards per carry.
“You know what he does – there are a lot of guys with his speed and quickness,” Reid said. “He’s very patient. He (receives) the ball first, and then he sees things set up and then – phew – he goes. The more he plays, the better he’s going to feel.”
Vick isn’t the only reason the Eagles have won four straight games, moved into first place in the NFC East and find themselves on the brink of their eighth playoff berth in the last 10 years.
But it’s not a complete coincidence that the offense has been rolling and the Eagles haven’t lost since Vick began making plays. Big plays.
“He’s really become a big part of our offense,” Herremans said. “What he’s able to do, it’s definitely something that teams have to game plan for. I don’t think of him as a gimmick or a novelty. He’s just a good player. He’s dangerous.”
retired on the lake
December 17th, 2009
4:59 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan sign on too this:
.
.
.
ATLANTA HERE IS THE SCENARIO THAT WE ALL (haters of all colors, fans of all backgrounds) can get behind it’s a win win situation that everyone here gets something good.
FOLLOW ME NOW
#1 Drink whatever cup of koolaid you drink from, be it the Vick is the next coming of the messiah cup or the Falcons can still win out and make the playoffs cup.
#2 Have faith in your individual beliefs (biases) and …….
#3 Read the following and repeat during daily prayers while facing the Georgia Dome!
If there is any justice to this NFL season and seasons past the following scenerio would play out.
Week 15 Saturday night the New Orleans Saints dismantle the Dallas Cryboys
Sunday afternoon the Atlanta Falcons beat the NYJets
Philadelphia wins
Carolina shocks the Vikings
Monday night the Washington Redskins maul the NYGiants
Week 16 Washington wins 3 in a row by beating Cryboys
Carolina does Atlanta a favor and beats NYGiants
Falcons beat Buffalo
Philly wins again
Vikings lose Monday night to the Bears
Week 17 Vikings needing win to clinch 2nd seed instead lose 3rd straight to NYGiants
Falcons beat Tampa Bay
Philly with chance to gain 2nd seed goes into overtime with the Cryboys
with no score for more than 7 minutes.
All Atlanta is tuned into the end of the Eagles – Cryboys game.
A certain former Falcon and current federal felony probationer runs 56 yards
with a certain former Falcon and GTech graduate unable to catch him
and scores a winning touchdown that propels Atlanta into the playoffs.
More koolaid DRINK more Koolaid
This gets you a playoff match up with Philly or Vikings first round
Sign on and root for the Falcons for a few weeks and pray for a first or second round Eagles-Falcons matchup!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
4:59 pm
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
December 17th, 2009
4:43 pm
People oh people….just ignore “CHOKE
“Yet you don’t” HA HA HA…..Brilliant I tell ya
truth
December 17th, 2009
5:00 pm
Superbowl 2010
Colts vs Cardinal
Get off the dream train Saints and Eagles(vick)fans.
“Choke” & “Truth Serum” are the same blogger!
December 17th, 2009
5:02 pm
I have analyzed the comments left by “Choke” & “Truth Serum”. They are in fact one in the same. This Guy has all the charm of “Rush Limbaugh”!
“Choke” & “Truth Serum” are the same blogger!
December 17th, 2009
5:03 pm
Now my comment should be copied and pasted and mocked by this “person”.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
5:03 pm
truth
December 17th, 2009
5:00 pm
Superbowl 2010
Colts vs Cardinal
Get off the dream train Saints and Eagles(vick)fans.
“2009…Falcons & Bucs battle for cellar and 1st round pick”
retired on the lake
December 17th, 2009
5:05 pm
actually a first or a championship game.
miracles do happen
truth
December 17th, 2009
5:11 pm
I support you Matt”choke”Ryan 100%.
Every blog I’ve ever been on has an idiot typing meaningless crap. We are just so lucky to have the biggest blogging idiot of them all.
Congrats Matt”choke”Ryan. I’m sure your mom is very proud of you. I can just see her now on the computer in the state prison library screaming “THAT’S MY BABY, THAT’S MY BABY!!!!!”
truth
December 17th, 2009
5:12 pm
HOW DARE YOU INSULT RUSH!!!! SHAME ON YOU!!!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
5:15 pm
truth
December 17th, 2009
5:11 pm
I support you Matt”choke”Ryan 100%.
Every blog I’ve ever been on has an idiot typing meaningless crap. We are just so lucky to have the biggest blogging idiot of them all.
Congrats Matt”choke”Ryan. I’m sure your mom is very proud of you. I can just see her now on the computer in the state prison library screaming “THAT’S MY BABY, THAT’S MY BABY!!!!!”
“NOW THAT’S FUNNY”
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
5:15 pm
“My face enough of abuse” – Gillette
Baba O'Riley
December 17th, 2009
5:28 pm
Falcons and Bucs battling for 1st round pick????I thought we both get 1st round picks. Along with a lot of other teams.
truth
December 17th, 2009
5:28 pm
I think it’s all humorous myself. Life’s to short to truly get upset over comments on a blog. Come on people don’t worry be happy…..It’s almost Christmas!!
Oh and by the way Happy Hannawannzamas!!
truth
December 17th, 2009
5:31 pm
My bad……….Happy Hanukwanzamas!!
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
5:33 pm
choke is getting you people all mad. as i was once told “consider the source” it is coming from. choke has a opinion just let him hate . it is okay. now back to the falcons please
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
5:35 pm
hey choke what are u buying vick for christmas. lol
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
5:39 pm
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
5:35 pm
hey choke what are u buying vick for christmas. lol
“Haven’t thought of it yet” Maybe some archives of season 2007, 2008 & 2009 footage of how well the Falcons have played without him
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
5:45 pm
Falcons record after Vick:
2007 (4-12)
2008 (11-5)
2009 (6-7) so far
Total: (21-23)
Wow that’s a major improvement
In Vick’s worse 3 years span:
2004 (11-5) Playoffs (1-1)
2005 (8-8)
2006 (7-9)
Total: (26-22)
HA HA HA
Please be honest with ourselves
December 17th, 2009
5:49 pm
People we need to be honest, and stop letting our emotions get in the way of the facts. If you’re going to quote stats at least do the research. Michael Vick threw for 337 yard in a game his first year as a starter for the Falcons.
Another interesting thing when people quote Michael Vick’s stats they always dismiss his rushing yards as though they didn’t count. However if you focus on his passing yards and rushing yards Vick has several games in his career where he has over 300 yards a game.
So why is it that so many people who quote Vick’s stats always dismiss or fail to mention his rushing yards? I say all of this because you may be in denial but Vick is a very good Quarterback. He has broken NFL records, and basically has done things that no other quarterback has ever done in the NFL.
Everyone consider this one thing. When you combine Michael Vick’s rushing yards, passing yards, passing touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns those numbers have been better than most quarterbacks in the league.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
5:55 pm
Please be honest with ourselves
December 17th, 2009
5:49 pm
People we need to be honest, and stop letting our emotions get in the way of the facts. If you’re going to quote stats at least do the research. Michael Vick threw for 337 yard in a game his first year as a starter for the Falcons.
Another interesting thing when people quote Michael Vick’s stats they always dismiss his rushing yards as though they didn’t count. However if you focus on his passing yards and rushing yards Vick has several games in his career where he has over 300 yards a game.
So why is it that so many people who quote Vick’s stats always dismiss or fail to mention his rushing yards? I say all of this because you may be in denial but Vick is a very good Quarterback. He has broken NFL records, and basically has done things that no other quarterback has ever done in the NFL.
Everyone consider this one thing. When you combine Michael Vick’s rushing yards, passing yards, passing touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns those numbers have been better than most quarterbacks in the league.
“They refuse to admit those stats” because they are afraid that the quarterback position that they cherish so much, is slipping out of their hands
MV#777
December 17th, 2009
5:56 pm
I LIKE IT CHOCK!!!LOL……….
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
5:58 pm
hey choke have all the stats you want bottom line is the most important stat of all vick – 0 championships while in atl ryan- 0 championships while in atl. so what has either done for the falcons NOTHING!!!!!
MV7
December 17th, 2009
5:58 pm
Hi, it’s Mike, y’know? Warrick’s gonna buy a share of the Falcons. Maybe I should too. Oh, that’s right, I’m broke. Y’know? Shouldn’t be a problem since I already own this city, y’know?
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
5:59 pm
gotcha coke!!!!!lmao
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
6:00 pm
sorry for the typo
choke
MV#777
December 17th, 2009
6:01 pm
L
O
L
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
MV#777
December 17th, 2009
6:09 pm
(CHOCK)YOU JUST TOLD THE WHOLE TRUTH
AND NOTHING BUT! THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALSO.. THANKS (PLEASE BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES).
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
6:13 pm
hey choke i liked vick when he was a falcon but he is not. i still think he is a great football player just not qb. he has the arm but i do remember alot of un catchable balls. i wish him well but i am a falcons fan still. you should choose a team to root for not just players which come and go. be diehard not just a fairweather fan but i do get a kick out of your post.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
6:16 pm
MV#777
December 17th, 2009
6:09 pm
(CHOCK)YOU JUST TOLD THE WHOLE TRUTH
AND NOTHING BUT! THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALSO.. THANKS (PLEASE BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES).
“They are so afraid that the quarterback” position is slipping away
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
6:16 pm
ask the pats about their undefeated season then loss the superbowl. does not mean anything if you do not get the ring
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
6:19 pm
The Franchise has been around for 44 years, yet Vick is second in Franchise wins with a record of 38-28-1, and the leader, Steve Bartkowski has a below .500 winning percentage.
That’s a lot of LOSERS if after 44 years, the guy that is not a “true” quarterback owns all of the records
MV#777
December 17th, 2009
6:20 pm
TELL IT!!!!(CHOCK)&(PLEASE BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES).
MCook
December 17th, 2009
6:22 pm
whos CHOCK?
MV#777
December 17th, 2009
6:29 pm
WE OWN THIS BLOG
I support you Matt”choke”Ryan 100%.
MV#777
December 17th, 2009
6:30 pm
TELL IT!!!!(CHOKE)&(PLEASE BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES).
MV#777
December 17th, 2009
6:32 pm
(CHOKE)YOU JUST TOLD THE WHOLE TRUTH
AND NOTHING BUT! THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALSO.. THANKS (PLEASE BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES).
Ex wideout
December 17th, 2009
6:32 pm
Since everyone seems to be comparing arms between Vick and Ryan and uncatchable balls just ask Roddy White. It’s amazing how one receiver can go from mediocre to Pro Bowl with a different QB. If you think about it, Matty Ryan maybe just as good as Jeff George or Chris Chandler back in the day. Good arm and that’s about it.
MV#777
December 17th, 2009
6:36 pm
A NOODLE ARM PASS.
WHERE’HIS ARM?????????????