Atlanta Falcons: Koetter not worried about rushing attack
Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter applaudes a catch by wide receiver Julio Jones in approval of a well run play in Flowery Branch on Saturday, July 28, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons’ rushing attack has been anemic in the first two exhibition games, but offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter is not worried.
The Falcons rushed 21 times for 71 yards against the Ravens and 18 times for 81 yards against the Bengals.
“To be honest, I never worry about the running game in preseason,” Koetter said after the Saturday walk-through pracgtice. “I just don’t see why you want to plow it up in there and get your backs beat up. We know that Michael Turner can run the football.”
The Falcons did try to get Turner a little work against the Bengals, but fullback Mike Cox had a tough day lead-blocking.
“We are trying to get guys evaluated,” Koetter said. “I don’t think we forgot how to run the ball overnight.”
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34 comments Add your comment
Homer Simpson
August 18th, 2012
7:56 pm
Second!
Homer Simpson
August 18th, 2012
7:57 pm
D’oh!
SirReal
August 18th, 2012
8:01 pm
Well this makes sense. I still say I’m not seeing some things from Turner that we’ve seen in the past. Thats alright though. These one liners did it for me and pretty much sums it up :
“I don’t think we forgot how to run the ball overnight.” and “I just don’t see why you want to plow it up in there and get your backs beat up. We know that Michael Turner can run the football.”
Well said Koetter, well said.
Posts about The Falcons From Other Great Blogs issue #1 | Falcons - NFC South Daily | Atlanta Falcons Blog
August 18th, 2012
8:29 pm
[...] Falcons From Other Great Blogs issue #1 By NFC South Daily Editor, on August 18th, 2012 Atlanta Falcons: Koetter not worried about rushing attack – blogs.ajc.com 08/18/2012 Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter applaudes a catch by [...]
JSS
August 18th, 2012
8:31 pm
Turner can run it, but can your block for him?
Runner-
August 18th, 2012
9:08 pm
FB ia atill a huge part of the game for many teams, including the Falcons. To be hobest, I dob’t care if our FB can catch the ball, he should only have one job, and thats block the hell for Michael Turner. Go out and get a big, tough FB, bigger than Cox, and our problems are solved
thejama
August 18th, 2012
9:32 pm
I think our offense is poised for greater things running or throwing. The only stat that matters this year is on defense….we were 29th on 3rd down last year. Move up even 9 spots and we are golden.
Bird Brain
August 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
I think what he meant was “Turner is fat and slow” and “all our other running backs suck”…
Big Mike
August 18th, 2012
9:58 pm
“We know that Michael Turner can run the football?” and “I don’t think we forgot how to run the ball overnight?”
Judging from these remarks, Mr. Koetter obviously believes that he and his offense have nothing whatsoever to prove. He also speaks as if his own position is quite secure here. I agree with him in that regard.
Despite what has happened in the post-season over the past years and despite what their owner said following last season’s embarrassing exit from the playoffs, the Falcon coaches are under no pressure to demonstrate improvement; at least no pressure from within the organization. However, the expectations of the fans are a very different issue. RISE UP.
Flacons never learn
August 18th, 2012
10:36 pm
Cut tipy toes Turner and problem solved
Matt Schwabb
August 18th, 2012
10:43 pm
U all never shouild of had cut me.
thejama
August 18th, 2012
10:44 pm
Big Mike I agree with ya, these coaches were brought in to take an already great team to the next level….starts with Nolan’s 3rd Down defensive accumen. If he can get the same results has had his entire career (Dolpins top 10 last year) then we are going to be an extremely well coached team.
Joe Tess Fish House
August 18th, 2012
10:49 pm
Flacons finnish 4 – 12 this year
Another Rick
August 18th, 2012
11:13 pm
Got jumo in the lake fish! 12 and 4!
Mediocrity continues...
August 19th, 2012
12:50 am
I’m not entirely concerned with the running game, but what I am concerned with is that Matt Ryan is still checking down to his RB’s WAY TOO MUCH. It’s just a continued trend of his that’s baffling to most.
I guess just getting out of a meningless preseason 4 game schedule is priority over everything else.
No backup
August 19th, 2012
12:59 am
god forbid anything happens to Matty Ice. If they have to depend on Chris Redman and JPW, the falcons wont win a game they start .
falCANS
August 19th, 2012
3:53 am
I trust in Quiz but Turner is a yard here yard there then BOOM breaks fa 20. With our new pace im not sure if it helps turners ground n pound style
Esquire
August 19th, 2012
6:54 am
Hang the hat of the blocking woes on Mike Cox………..but we’re not worried about it….it’s preseason.
Esquire
August 19th, 2012
7:30 am
The high flying Atlanta Falcons are ranked 1st in Passing, 3rd in Total Offense. Now if we can get our fullback to do his job we can bring up that 26th ranked rushing attack.
But wait, it’s preseason………….that’s a good thing cause we are 0-2……..!!
The Burner Turner
August 19th, 2012
8:40 am
Tippy toes Turner
I may have to change my posting name.
Coach knows I can run. Enough said
Time to put on the feedbag. Cant wait for lunch we are having roasted duck. Whatever that is , I will eat it.
Esquire
August 19th, 2012
8:53 am
KC is on the horizon and that game will count. 1-1 in the preseason but they looked like the Rams whipped them handily. Currently the Chiefs are ranked 12th in points, 16th in Total Yards, 15th in Passing, and 10th in Rushing. On defense they are ranked 26th in Points, 17th in Yards, 12th in Passing, and 30th in Rushing.
On another note: Chris Chamberlain injures ACL, out for Saints’ season
http://tinyurl.com/8b66bla
Power Rankings:
Giants
Patriots
49′ers
Packers
Texans
Ravens
Bears
Eagles
Saints “What to make of the Saints as a whole? Going deeper, what should we make of the running back situation? Drew Brees has been the most productive quarterback in the NFL over the last six years, but it sure would be a boon to this club if Mark Ingram could stay healthy and add a thump to the running game. Yes, we’re aware of Darren Sproles. But the Saints could really help a Jonathan Vilma-less defense by rushing more and keeping the clock burning.”
Broncos
Bengals
Falcons “Julio Jones or Roddy White? Which one do you take in fantasy? Good luck. In this space, we want to know what Asante Samuel provides the Falcons, and whether William Moore and Thomas DeCoud can give the club a little more from their safety spots. Atlanta allowed 12 touchdown passes of 20 yards or more last year, third-most in the league. Moore and DeCoud combined for six interceptions, which is OK but won’t make up for the long-ball hemorrhaging.”
Steelers
Lions
Cowboys
Chiefs
Seahawks
Titans
Jets
Raiders
They’ve got Carolina @ 23, Redskins @ 25, Jaguars @ 29, and the Colts dead last??
First time Season Tix Holder
August 19th, 2012
9:20 am
I think I want my money back.
SeenThisB4
August 19th, 2012
11:16 am
“We are trying to get guys evaluated,” Koetter said. “I don’t think we forgot how to run the ball overnight.”
It would seem that the evaluation indicates that they have forgotten how to run the ball.
Esquire
August 19th, 2012
11:28 am
Simple………….the NFC South finishes the season in alphabetical order:
Atlanta
Carolina
Nawlins
Tampa Bay
DEEZ IN HOUSTON
August 19th, 2012
11:40 am
ANEMIC???? DO YOUR MATH LEDBETTER 21 +18 ATTEMPTS EQUALS 39 TOTAL ATTEMPTS. 71 + 81 YARDS EQUALS 152 TOTAL YARDS…THAT IS A 3.8974 AVG…SOUNDS LIKE 4 TO ME…SINCE WHEN IS THAT ANEMIC!!??
Michael M.
August 19th, 2012
12:27 pm
I like that NFC South layout Esquire……………………………looks good to me, if it works !
Michael M.
August 19th, 2012
1:29 pm
Better yet ……………it looks even better this way………………………………………………………..
Atlanta
Tampa Bay
Carolina
Nawlins
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
August 19th, 2012
2:42 pm
Koetter might not be worried about the rushing attack but so far, in the preseason games, the offensive line has not been able to open much of a hole for the running backs.
Michael Turner has looked real slow in hitting the small space (I can’t even call it a hole) that the offensive line has been able to create.
ElectionYear & Predictions 2012
August 19th, 2012
3:30 pm
I hate to say it…but this team will be right back in the same situation as they ended in playoffs earlier in the year (0-4 and still no wins in the playoffs).
Dummytrioff and Blankcheck refuse to make the necessary changes on the OL or DL and we will pay. Ryan looks marginally better, but the running game and defensive backs look horrible. The team needs another bonafide RB to take the pressure off of Matt….we have been preaching the same stuff over the last 3 years about this team.
The front office either can’t evaluate real talent or they can’t coach up their roster. Rogers is not a NFL every down or every other down back…he’s too small to block defenders. While the kid has great vision and leg strengt,h he can’t maintain his speed and often gets run down by the defender.
The defensive line(Ray Edwards) and backs Asante looks like Dummytrioff type players…what else is new.
ElectionYear & Predictions 2012
August 19th, 2012
3:36 pm
As much as I love this city, I’m starting to feel realy bad for our fans.
The Braves…Gonza (Dumbest coach in NL)
The Hawks…P-i-t-y-f-u-l
The Falcons…TD and Mike Smith (way in over their heads)
UGA- Never live up to expectations, but at least they are built to compete every year unlike the Falcons.
technofalconeer
August 20th, 2012
12:38 pm
cox does fine–turner needs to hit the holes quicker now–he seems a step slower last year and this year–rogers seems faster and on cox’s backside and cutting fine off his blocks
It’s Not Time To Panic About The Falcons Ground Game | XSDirect
August 20th, 2012
12:48 pm
[...] won’t hear Dirk Koetter panic over the fact that Michael Turner has barely been able to move the chains. There’s a good [...]
elvis the faclon fan
August 20th, 2012
2:15 pm
I know this is redundant but Turner looks slower than he did last year….same thing…tip toe to the line and the first guy to hit him gets him down. PLEASE PUT SNELLING IN!!
Trailboss
August 21st, 2012
12:19 pm
There’s a reason for this if notice the system change due hit , concision, and 96 player’s you’re trying to give a chance to play some to see who will replace Snelling and Turner in case the’re needed.Guy’s this is what preseason is for to give the the young player a chance,if your kid was out there trying his best and to your a$$ sitting there wanting and your kid don’t get the time…then you’ll be saying we know Turner can play why don’t they give the young player a chance. Let the coaches coach and let’s see what we have then we can not only know but it would be a fact that you were right.