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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130 comments Add your comment
Will
December 17th, 2009
6:37 pm
Vick is such a joke as a QB. He will be out of the league after next season. Glad of it too!!
Mike "Loser" Vick
December 17th, 2009
6:39 pm
Sorry dudes but I’m just not the same QB as I was even though I wasn’t that great to begin with!! Actually I’m not even a real QB.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
6:41 pm
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.
“If you want to talk about” Roddy White’s present success – know your facts.
In 2005 & 2006 Roddy White was in his 1st and 2nd season, which meant he was not expected to be the player that he is now.
Secondly, Roddy White emerged in 2007, with Joey Harrington and Chris Redman, in which he had his 1st 1,000 yard season.
The CHOKE had nothing to do with his development. If anything he has regressed this season, because the CHOKE has been exposed for the MEDIOCRE wannabe PRO QB
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
6:43 pm
Give it up guys, The Mannings, Favres and Brady’s are the last of the old style of quarterbacks. Give it up guys, you still have the punters and kickers
Mike "Loser" Vick
December 17th, 2009
6:45 pm
So sorry I resorted to dog fighting. I torchered, electrocuted & shot the dogs while I was supposed to be studying the playbook. My bad!!
The Boss
December 17th, 2009
6:45 pm
“Choke”. You are such a LOSER, but you do make me laugh and in this current economy that is good! LMAO..at you!
“Based on your complaints and acknowledges”………
Please go buy a websters and keep it handy so you don’t look so grammatically foolish!
I can’t wait to see you disappear from the blogs though next season when your boy hopefully gets to start somewhere, , then as teams actually plan for him, the old Mike will appear once again. Unprepared. INT’s. Fumbles, over throws, and on and on. NO TEAM will succeed with him but it will be fun to watch because he will bring excitement.
p.s Not that he will have anything to do with it but Eagles will “choke” once again when it gets right down to it. NO SB for Philly!
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
6:45 pm
as i said who has won a championship.none. the closest has been chris chandler for pete’s sake
MV#777
December 17th, 2009
6:47 pm
HAHAHAHAH LOL… Matt “Choke” Ryan
TELL’EM
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 17th, 2009
6:57 pm
The Boss
December 17th, 2009
6:45 pm
“Choke”. You are such a LOSER, but you do make me laugh and in this current economy that is good! LMAO..at you!
“Based on your complaints and acknowledges”………
“Better start rooting” for those drop back kickers
Thomas
December 17th, 2009
6:59 pm
U know i have to agree with some of the stuff that the guys have said! Turf toe slowed u down man com man! Hey get a shot an get ur a#$ out there! Chris Redman could sell a used car if he gave the person the money! Then turner should have sat on those soft games. Damn norwood needs to go! To damn soft! Jenkins needs to Go! Those short a@# corners got to GO! An go get a slot receiver too damn! Why can the common man see that but the GM and Owner? Hell at least with the hawks they had a plan! Hell i dont know what in the world is going on in ATL with Baseball or Football! Get ur head out of ur butts and just win baby!
QB Matt Ryan & RB Michael Turner Return to Practice Today | JetsVine
December 17th, 2009
7:24 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 [...]
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
7:51 pm
hey choke how many world championships does your man vick have. that’s what i thought. thank you
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
7:51 pm
the rest means nothing
MV#777
December 17th, 2009
8:08 pm
HAHAHAHAH LOL… Matt “Choke” Ryan
TELL’EM
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
8:28 pm
cat must have choke’s tongue. so falcon fans what do ya”ll think about cody from alabama joining jerry on the DL next year. would be awesome i think who agrees
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 17th, 2009
8:33 pm
FALCONS VS. JETS
ANYBODY WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE GAME ON SUNDAY???
tyger
December 17th, 2009
8:35 pm
Falcons Easy Button 0.5 – Pre-post season Evaluations:
Offense:
QB – Ryan – happy feet, weak arm; more Danny White than Tom Brady – paycut.
Redman – OUT; Charlie Parker Wilson – WHY?; DJ Shockley – OUT
RB – Excellent – Strongest position on the field – Turner, Norwood, Snelling compliment each other.
TE – Excellent – Gonzalez, Peele are very strong; need a young one, where’s Martez Milner?
WR – Average. No hands. White/Jenkins – paycut. Douglass/Weems -backups. OUT: Finneran
OL – Average. Baker unreliable, Blalock-Dahl tough, McClure old; Clabo is a backup. OUT:Svitek
Defense:
DL – Poor. Abraham, Davis, Jerry, Babineax, Biermann, Sidbury. OUT – Anderson, Lewis, Johnson
LB – Good. Slow, but thumpers. Lofton, Peterson, Nicholas, Wire. OUT: Gilbert
CB – Below average. Too young, too small. No upside. OUT – Hill, Jackson
S – Excellent. Coleman-DeCoud held this defense together. Healthy W.Moore big addition.
K – Fail. Who gave Jason Elam all that money?
Overall – Average.
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
9:32 pm
just hope the falcons are ready for the jets defense and can stop a heavy dose of tomas jones d. led. sorry just get tired of choke’s vick crap. he did not win us a superbowl or nuttin. i just feel like the falcons have messed up the season. dallas will lose 2 not three and the gaints need to lose 2 and us win out. just do not see all that happen
Falcon 8211
December 17th, 2009
9:33 pm
sorry giants typo
thunderbull56
December 17th, 2009
11:06 pm
Shut Matt and Micheal down for the seeesuun. To H#$$ with back to backs.been follying Failcons from day ONE.Luv the VICK knucklehead posters.Does Babs own a dog? Step back and take a deep breath VICKKIES,he could have been Chris.Let’s see,A rich man gives me millions to piss away.HMNN , how can I piss it away? Let’s see, I could invest it in, purebred dogs,horses,stocks,bonds,or,drug cartels and distribution.Well, I can choose the latter and THE MAN CAN KISS MY ASS, regardless of a written contractual obligation that I signed . Politacal correct can KISS MY BLUNT!
thunderbull56
December 17th, 2009
11:41 pm
Wait, I could neglect to maintain ‘ma Escalade, since I’m livin’n on BEENIE WEENIES and, you know man peeples outta work.DEE, you asked for it! TALK about the game? Allow pages and pages of drivel.VICKTIMS, WEES ALL VIICKTIMS,VICKTIMS of the THE AJCS unspoken SACRED COWS.GET out from under the rock buddy,I don’t care if you are pink,green,red,blue,black or white,YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE!
RUDEDOG
December 18th, 2009
12:22 am
Ryan’s a fake. Punked out when team needed him the most,franchise QB my ass.Bring Vick back damnit.
RUDEDOG
December 18th, 2009
12:25 am
Nice sum up Tyger.
RUDEDOG
December 18th, 2009
12:36 am
I take that back Vick let us down big time. I hope he has learned from his mistakes.But we need a better evaluation of talent on the team. FUC
Real American
December 18th, 2009
6:53 am
OK, let’s talk about the Jets vs Falcons…the Jets are more than likely going to win. Matt Ryan will play if and only if Michael Turner plays. The Falcons MAY end up with an 8-8 record, and the AJC will bend over backwards to blame injuries, the big bad hard schedule that the meanies in the NFL office forced upon the Falcons so unfairly, and will continue to heap praise on the coaches and Falcons front office because they just love this Smitty and Dimitroff team so darn much. Babineaux will still be a Falcon next season, more than likely so will Weems. The Falcons will be cleaning out their lockers after the last game of the season and everyone will tell themselves “we’ll get’em next season!! go team!!”……….that’s how it will go.
teamguy
December 18th, 2009
8:10 am
The injuries to Turner and Ryan were unfortunate because they came at a time when the offensive unit was finally beginning to show signs of being as good as the hype sounded in the off-season. Personally, I would like to see the Falcons become a great defensive team again like they were in years gone by, mostly a running team on offense, and “special” on special teams. As for the “curse”, I would love to see that in the rear view mirror, but if not, it doesn’t change how I feel about this team. As for all the haters on this blog, on both sides, you’re a waste of my time.
Tom K
December 18th, 2009
8:51 am
DLed, tell the guys to dress warm, expect snow, possibly A LOT on Sunday, with pretty windy conditions. Being from Philly, Matt will know what to expect. It’s 0 right now in NY but should warm up to 20-25 by Sunday and they are calling for us to be dumped on this weekend (6-12 inches). And tell them to pack the right kind of cleats!
GO BIRDS!!!
harleyman
December 18th, 2009
9:09 am
ORLANDO-See you didn’t like my post. Maybe you are “Choke” and VS1 and VS2.
MV#777
December 29th, 2009
7:18 pm
IT FIRST BECAME obvious, this feeling between Michael Vick and his new teammates, a couple of weeks ago in Atlanta. It was his homecoming game, as it were. It was where he scored his first touchdown for the Eagles and his teammates bounded off of the bench in celebration, where cornerback Sheldon Brown said that he and some of the players were telling each other before the game that they wanted to win it for Vick.
I mean, win one for Mike? Really? We all observe from a distance, and it was so hard to see or to understand. But it was real. There is no doubt that it was real, this bond between Vick and his new teammates.
And, now, this:
The Eagles’ players have unanimously voted Vick as the team’s recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, given annually to the player on each NFL team who exemplifies “commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.”
Guilty of horrific crimes. Sentenced to a federal prison term. Forfeited millions and millions of dollars. Back in the league for only a few months, only through the good graces of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Eagles coach Andy Reid. Now, a convicted felon honored by his teammates for overcoming a terrible situation into which he had put himself.
“I’m not sure you can explain it unless you’ve gone through it here with him,” Reid said yesterday. “Everybody is going to have their opinion on it, I’m sure. Until you’ve been with him for the hours that his teammates have been with him and seen him through all these different things that he’s had to go through, that time-tested part of it, you can’t appreciate it quite as much.
“I don’t expect everybody to understand it, no, but I think it’s a tribute when it’s a slam dunk by his teammates voting him that. It was just a unanimous vote there.”
That this is just a gut punch to the people who have opposed Vick’s reinstatement goes without saying. For them, a PETA spokesman said:
“The Philadelphia Eagles fumbled when they gave Michael Vick the Ed Block Courage Award, which was named after a man who advocated in behalf of abused children. Michael Vick should not be the person anyone points to as a model of sportsmanship, even though he has now exchanged dogs for touchdowns after serving time for extreme cruelty to animals. We wish him well in educating others, but this is not appropriate and does not mark a joyous moment in NFL history.”
It is hard to disagree with any of that. It does seem too soon to be celebrating Vick. It does not feel right – and this comes from somebody who thought Vick deserved a chance to play this year, somebody who was looking forward to seeing what he could do on the field.
But here is the thing: I did not get a vote and you did not get a vote. This is a players’ award, voted upon by players. And whatever your personal feelings, it is impossible not to be fascinated by this team’s embrace of Vick, right from the start.
“I never worried that guys wouldn’t accept me,” Vick said. “That probably was one of the last things on my mind. The most important thing was to get in here and get to know the guys and get acclimated in the city and playing football again. You just let things happen naturally. You just be yourself.”
This is more than just teammates supporting a teammate. It is clear that they like the guy. Talking to them through the season, it is clear that they thought the punishment for the crime was so severe, prison-wise and especially financially, only because Vick was a celebrity. Their inclination as fellow celebrities was to root for him, and as fellow teammates to root for his ability to help them on the field. But the feelings still ended up going deeper, and this award demonstrates it.
“It means a great deal,” Vick said. “I’ve only been in this locker room for 3 1/2 months. For those guys to feel that way about me, it means a lot to me. The bond that I have with the players on this team and the way we’ve jelled has been outstanding.”
Someone asked Vick what kind of courage he demonstrated, per the award.
“I’ve had to overcome a lot, more than probably one single individual can bear,” he said. “Take a look at what I’ve been through. You ask certain people to walk in my shoes, they probably couldn’t do it – probably 95 percent of the people in this world. Because nobody had to endure what I’ve been through, situations I’ve been put in, situations I’ve placed myself in, decisions that I’ve made, whether they were good or bad. There are always consequences behind certain things and there are repercussions behind them, too. Then you have to wake up every day and face the world, whether they perceive you in the right perspective or it’s a totally different outlook on you.
“You just have to be strong and believe in yourself and be optimistic. That’s what I’ve been able to do and that’s what I display.”
When you talk to Vick, it sometimes takes him a minute to get to the key point: situations I’ve placed myself in. That is what rankles for some, still, that minute it sometimes takes. But it is all part of a longer process.
Anyway, Vick said, “The thing I told Roger [Goodell] was that, 4 or 5 years from now, when I come to him, I’ll be able to say everything I told you I was going to do, I’m still doing it. That’s what I pride myself on. That’s my focus and that’s my goal.”
That might have seemed a more appropriate time for an award such as this one, not now. Then again, this is all about a bond within a locker room, a place that none of us can hope to understand from the outside
MV#777
January 2nd, 2010
3:01 pm
WHAT GOES AROUND….
COMES AROUND……
LOL………..