Atlanta Falcons: Michael Turner suffered torn groins last two seasons
By CARROLL ROGERS
FLOWERY BRANCH — If the Falcons are looking for things to draw on that are different from recent one-and-done trips to the playoffs, they could start with Michael Turner.
The Falcons’ running back has carried the ball 222 times this season, well below his 301 total of last season, which was second-most in the NFL. That leaves him feeling that much fresher as the Falcons enter the divisional round of the playoffs on Jan. 13.
Entering the Falcons previous three playoffs trips, in 2008, 2010 and 2012, Turner had 376, 334 and 301 carries in the regular season, respectively. He led the NFL in that category in 2008 and 2010. In each of those three ensuing playoffs losses, Turner had no more than 42 yards rushing.
Turner rushed 18 times for 42 yards in 2008 against Arizona, 10 times for 39 yards in 2010 against Green Bay and 15 times for 41 years in 2011 against the Giants.
In first-year coordinator Dirk Koetter’s offense, the Falcons don’t use the power run game like they have in the past. But that means Turner is fresher, both by circumstances and by design.
“I tore my groin the last two years, one side one year, the other side the next year,” Turner said. “So I don’t have those problems coming into this year. I’m good.”
The Falcons finished the regular season ranked 29th out of 32 teams in the NFL with only 87.3 yards rushing per game. But the three teams they could match up with next week, Washington (169.3), Minnesota (164.6) and Seattle (161.2) rank first, second and third respectively. The Falcons know they’re not in that conversation anymore, but still see the importance of running the ball with success in the playoffs, using Turner up the middle and Jacquizz Rogers on the edge.
“I think we’re our best when the run is working,” offensive tackle Tyson Clabo said. “Now whether or not we’re leaning on it, and running it every play, that’s probably not going to happen. But when our run game is successful, four or five yards a carry, I think we’re at our best at that point.”
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80 comments Add your comment
I usually just read but...
January 4th, 2013
7:47 am
I’m pretty sure that the Falcons’ playoff game strategy will not be put out into the media for their opponents to pick up and prepare for. Maybe CMS just calls them on the fone and tells them what the team plans to do, OR, could this be called disinformation? OR, maybe it’s DOL’s idea of how his her0, yep that’s a zer0, MT should be played and revered. Don’t bet on MT breaking 50yds in any playoff game we play in this year.
GOOO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IceFan
January 4th, 2013
7:50 am
If they continue to try and force Turner into the offense we will be 1-and-done again. He is a goalline back at this point. Please use Queezy and Snelling for the bulk of the carries!!!!!!!!!! The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results…
Me Too
January 4th, 2013
8:04 am
Everyone KNOWS Michael Turner is DONE!! If he is used as the “featured back” in the playoff game, the FALCONS will loose.
This entire article is such a bunch of BS. He has offered an excuse, but the excuse is really for HC Smith. Why doesn’t HC Smith recognize what everyone else has recognized for the past two years that Turner is DONE! The problem is not Michael Turner; the problem is HC Smith who is too stubborn to bench Turner.
okeetee
January 4th, 2013
8:10 am
“I’m pretty sure that the Falcons’ playoff game strategy will not be put out into the media for their opponents to pick up and prepare for”
…look, after 16 regular season games, every team knows what the other team is going to try and do. Nobody’s going to make too many changes at this stage. We have the offensive talent to score big and score quick. We need to use our strengths and not try and force a round peg into a square hole! We are not going to “practice” our running game in our first playoff game next week! We don’t run the ball very well. We know it, they know it….the whole world knows it! Some teams set up the passing game with the run…….we need to set up the run with our passing game!
inkspot
January 4th, 2013
8:17 am
The Falcons need to score points to win. I know it sounds stupid and elementary, but it’s the truth. They most probably will need to rack up over 30 points, one way or another, if they hope to win.
The scary thing about the Bucs game was that the Falcons’ running game didn’t work, the screens only sort of worked, and the receivers were covered all the way down the field.
If the offense looks like that on Jan 13th, it will unfortunately look like “one and done”…
Big Donnie
January 4th, 2013
9:38 am
If we try to ride Turner, we will lose. This offense is designed to use an explosive back that makes people miss, and can catch the ball — this is a result of a single back formation. Michael Turner is none of the above. He was good in the past because he ran behind a fullback. I hope to God we don’t waste plays by trying to feed him the ball. Look at his putrid numbers this year, and try to make a case for him. Michael Turner’s days in Atlanta are done. He has had far too many 15 carry/15 yard performances this year to be guaranteed of anything!
oldfart
January 4th, 2013
10:02 am
With those multiple groins it is no wonder that he is slow getting to the hole.
30 vs 72
January 4th, 2013
10:55 am
Shouldn’t 72 have more playoff wins than 30?
Falcon James
January 4th, 2013
10:57 am
I thought they would be at least one Turner supporter out there. If they is, they didn’t show up on this blog.
Did You Know
January 4th, 2013
11:03 am
This regime is currently the longest to go without a playoff win. You would have to go way back to the 80s. The Glanville, Reeves & Mora regimes all had playoff wins.
WC
January 4th, 2013
11:34 am
Falcon James
January 4th, 2013
10:57 am
I thought they would be at least one Turner supporter out there. If they is, they didn’t show up on this blog.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Hey Falcon James,
I’m a supporter of Turner….being on the bench.
tidog
January 4th, 2013
11:55 am
The game is unpredictable and people are hilarious. Every Turner basher would spin their negative comments 360 degrees should Turner have impact performances in the playoff and superbowl run. Mike Smith would be tagged a genius for limiting Mike’s carries in the regular season for postseason success. The run game can be important but this team is built around Matt Ryan and what he does best. As Ryan goes so goes the Falcons and as the O line goes so goes Ryan period.
Say what
January 4th, 2013
12:31 pm
You said it, tidog. Turner has lost a step, and the groin problems may have a lot to do with it. I think this year he was listed as questionabl at least once due to groin issues. I agree with the bashers that he has provided subpar performances more often than not this year, but he has also provided flashes of the old Michael Turner, which have been huge for the offense and have been completely ignored by the haters.
We have to have some running game to keep the D honest, so Ryan does have a chance in the pocket. I think the brass knows this and will stick with the Turner-Quizz-Snelling committee, with hopefully well timed screens and draws. If Ryan gets hit and harrassed constantly with pressure in his face, it’s gonna be another long day Jan. 13. Smith and Koetter need to roll out a gameplan to keep that from happening, like they did against NYG.
coleski
January 4th, 2013
12:32 pm
The fellow that mentioned Turner running into the o-lines back hit the nail on the head. If there is
no hole what is he going to do? He is a power back not a scatback. If the holes are opened I
believe Turner will gain yards. The Falcons need to try out every o-lineman available to see if
they can find a few that can run block. So far this season, no one has indicated that they can
perform that feat. No one on the team stands out as a run blocker. NO ONE.
coleski
January 4th, 2013
12:32 pm
The fellow that mentioned Turner running into the o-lines back hit the nail on the head. If there is
no hole what is he going to do? He is a power back not a scatback. If the holes are opened I
believe Turner will gain yards. The Falcons need to try out every o-lineman available to see if
they can find a few that can run block. So far this season, no one has indicated that they can
perform that feat. No one on the team stands out as a run blocker. NO ONE.
Enkinan
January 4th, 2013
12:33 pm
I definitely don’t think Turner needs to be back next year and has been mediocre for the most part this year, but he does seem to run much, much better in the Dome. I think he may surprise some people.
Sean
January 4th, 2013
12:56 pm
No wonder Turner has been having trouble running the past 2 seasons….he has more than 1 groin!
okeetee
January 4th, 2013
1:12 pm
“Every Turner basher would spin their negative comments 360 degrees should Turner have impact performances in the playoff and superbowl run.”
….I will be the first to admit I was wrong, apologize, eat crow, and personally tip my hat to Turner and Smith…..if Turner even has the slightest impact on a Falcons playoff win!
S l o w
January 4th, 2013
1:13 pm
Glad his groin muscles healed. Apparently
he learned that while you CAN pull
muscles, you cannot pull fat.
Snelling and Smith surely can do as well
and cost us a fraction as much. We should’ve
kept Harvey Dahl on the OL.
PMC
January 4th, 2013
2:52 pm
More important than Turners Groin is blocking the A gaps.
We don’t do that worth a crap at all.
DieHardFalconsFan!!!!
January 4th, 2013
3:00 pm
We need to start rodgers and then let turner pound it in on the goal line! I hate when people say ryan has choked in the playoffs cuz all falcon fans know the O-line is the reason why ryan dont have time to to throw. We need to get double coverage up front where its needed. GO FALCONS!!!!!
Quint in ATL
January 4th, 2013
3:02 pm
Turner was good when he had one of the best blocking fullbacks in the league. Is it coincidence that he two worst years in Atlanta are the last two? Last year Ovie was out all year and this year he is gone? And remember, we drafted a great replacement (most people think) who is also out for the year. I wonder what the run game would have looked like with Bradie Ewing as the fullback. According to the Falcons’ website, he cleared the path for more touchdowns last year for Monte Ball than 99 of 122 FBS TEAMS…not 99 other fullbacks, 99 other entire teams. Kid might be kinda good. I sure hope he comes back healthy next year.
Quint in ATL
January 4th, 2013
3:03 pm
*his two worst years
uggh
DieHardFalconsFan!!!!
January 4th, 2013
3:10 pm
FALCONS SUPER BOWL!!!!! Matt Ryan is gonna have 11 TD’S to 2 Picks! Thats total in all 3 games.He is gonna keep us alive!
JeremiahSheppard
January 4th, 2013
5:14 pm
The great thing about “patty cake”, “slow as a pig” turner is that, although turner has lost a few steps and has looked anemic in short yardage situations AND has been bottled up in most of his rushes this year, the fact that he can still bust one open may come in useful in the playoffs. turner can still bowl people over when he is running hard and he has picked a preciely opened hole. I agree with the previous blogger, that the Falcons can win a superbowl with PATTY CAKE TURNER in the backfield.
DieHardFalconsFan!!!!
January 4th, 2013
5:18 pm
All i wanna say is who is gonna win the SUPER BOWL??
bullrusher1
January 5th, 2013
2:35 am
Clemson’s Andre Ellington, Bama’s Eddie Lacy, Oklahoma’s Joseph Randle. Hey, just browsing… Get past the Superbowl first.
loel
January 5th, 2013
9:22 am
That same offensive line that many of you fuss about ,as the reason Turner is so bad ,is the same line than blocks for Ryan to produce 4500 yards this season. The falcons have a better chance of winning if Turner does not dress out period!!!!!!!.
PlanB
January 5th, 2013
10:08 pm
Not hating on Turner but I just don’t think he is going to be able to help this team up to the point of what his salary takes. All players have a time that they are no longet an asset. It happens, and does not mean they haven’t been appreciated for the good times they gave us.
TWO GOOD DOGS
January 6th, 2013
10:54 pm
WHATEVER TURNERS PROBLEMS WERE OR ARE. GOTTA MOVE ON TO SNELLING AS THE LONE POWER BACK AND RODGERS AT THE SCAT. BOTH CAN CATCH THE BALL, WHICH WE REALLY NEED WITH OUR O LINE NOT KEEPING THE POCKET. RYAN’S GOT TO MOVE OR DUMP OFF FAST. THE SECRET TO GETTING TO RYAN IS POUR ON THE PRESSURE.HOPE WE HAVE A GOOD SCHEME PLANNED TO MOVE HIM OUT UNTIL THE SEASON IS OVER. KEEP EVERYONE GUESSING. AND GET GONZALEZ OUT ON AN OBVIOUS RUNNING PLAY AND A BETTER BLOCKING TIGHT END.