Falcons 6-0 but Turner is frustrated with running game (UPDATED with video)
Michael Turner found little room to run on those rare occasions when he was given ball. (AP photo)
When a team is a 6-0, every negative critique should begin and end with, “… but they’re 6-0.” Because ultimately, the record determines the standings, the playoff field and whether some climate-controlled, pass-dominating offensive Dome team is going to be forced to head for the snowdrifts of Green Bay or Chicago in January in the postseason.
So we start again by reaffirming that the Falcons are 6-0. All hail.
But anybody witnessing the last three victories, sloppy exercises over mediocre opponents Carolina, Washington and Oakland, can attest to the team’s issues going into the bye week. Need confirmation? Ask their starting running back, who has had a close-up look at probably the Falcons’ biggest failing right now: their lack of a running game.
When Turner, a relative spectator in the mistake-plagued 23-20 win over the Raiders’ Sunday, was asked about the Falcons going into the bye week “the right way,” he didn’t respond with sunshine and lollipops.
“Yeah, a win is a win,” he said. “But we’re looking at something beyond just winning right now. We’re trying to be special and special teams don’t play like that.”
Beyond Matt Ryan’s three interceptions, beyond the defense allowing the NFL’s worst rushing team to run for 149 yards, beyond an offense that was matched in touchdown production by one late-game Asante Samuel pick-six but again was rescued by the foot of Matt Bryant, the Falcons’ problems start with their inability to jam the ball down the other team’s throats.
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has all of these wonderful toys to play with. It’s clear Atlanta is now a pass-first team. That’s fine. The NFL has become a pass-first league. But at some point the Falcons will need to be able to run the ball, whether it’s late in the season, and/or on the road, and/or in the playoffs
Trailing 13-10 in the third quarter, they had a first-and-goal at the Raiders’ 2-yard-line following a turnover but had to settle for a field goal. The plays: incomplete pass, Turner for 1 yard, Snelling for a 1-yard loss (from the one-foot line).
Tied at 13-all in the fourth, they had a third-and-a-foot from their 45 but opted for a passing play. Ryan misconnected with Tony Gonzalez. They punted.
Turner seems frustrated. He was held to 11 carries for 33 yards Sunday. Ryan covered half that with a 15-yard scramble. The team’s rushing total: 45 yards.
The Falcons have managed to tip-toe around this issue all season. It hasn’t gotten in the way of them winning yet, but that seems inevitable.
Ask the running back.
“I’m not sure why it’s going like this,” Turner said. “It’s great to be 6-0 and everything. But we can’t just assume we’re always going to be able to get an interception or a last-minute field goal every time. At some point we’re going to have to run the ball. We’ve got to be able to knock it in [the endzone].”
Turner’s runs by quarters: two for 12 yards, three for 12, three for minus-one, three for 10.
Some of this lack of production is on him. He looks slow at times.
Some of it is on the offensive line. It generally has been far better at pass protection this season than opening holes or getting any push. (It wasn’t good at either Sunday.)
Has Turner lost confidence?
“No. I’m still here. I’ve never lost confidence.”
Have the Falcons lost confidence in Turner or their ability to run the ball at all?
“You would have to ask them that. That’s not something they would tell me. It’s their team, their scheme, their offense. I’m just here to try to help them win.”
Coach Mike Smith conceded the running game isn’t where he would like it to be. He referenced the first-and-goal drive, saying: “I know the next question is going to be when you’ve got the ball on the 1½-yard line, do you feel like you have to get it in there? Yes. The goal of our football team is real simple. It’s to score points and to score points any way that we can.”
They managed just enough again. They have won their last three games by two, seven and three points on drives with :05 (field goal), 2:46 (touchdown) and :01 (field goal) left. That makes them 6-0. But they’re playing a dangerous game.
By Jeff Schultz-
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327 comments Add your comment
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
8:08 pm
GFJacket
October 14th, 2012
8:04 pm
Where is MCR??? The 3 picks today should have elicited a plethora of derision…
_____________________
Oh, he was here crowing alright–immediately after the three picks. Not so much immediately after the Falcons won. Typical of the lying coward.
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
8:10 pm
Phil — I know you’re a Falcon fan, therefore I cut you slack on your negative Nancy routine post after post.
C’mon man, it’s impossible for a NFL team to play no one 6 consecutive weeks.
How’d Washington look today? How’d RG #3 look today?
SD, Denver & Washington were all quality wins.
Also never underestimate the desperate Teams we’ve played, Carolina & Oakland — both of which had extra time to prepare for the Falcons.
As for the KC Game, everyone is 0&0 to start the season with Great Expectations!!
You been a dwag too long!!
Expecting the worst is in your DNA!!
The Falcons are playing great!!
We’re 6 & 0.
Enjoy it Guy!!
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
8:10 pm
You been flirting with a ban all day, 5150. You should be better than that.
GFJacket
October 14th, 2012
8:10 pm
The entire AFC North is 3 – 3, more proof of the balance in the league this year. Falcons at 6 – 0 is impressive, even considering the teams they have played.
Jeff Schultz
October 14th, 2012
8:12 pm
Not Disappointed — thanks.
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:12 pm
They did, jacket…..believe me.
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
8:13 pm
PHIL………..Didn’t Muhammad Ali win some fights playing the rope-a-dope?
Shaub
or
Ryan
To hell with dog killer Vick.
GFJacket
October 14th, 2012
8:13 pm
Thanks, DogNole, I was not on here then….I was watching the Redskins/Vikings game. RGIII is quite amazing, recovered quite nicely from the Falcons provided concussion last week.
"Chef" Tim Dix
October 14th, 2012
8:15 pm
THIS JUST IN FROM THE LEAGUE OFFICE: To appease Atlanta Falcon naysayers about the teams that comprise their 6-0 season start, the “Office” has change the Falcon’s bye week to a trip to Miami to face the 1972 Dolphins.
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
8:16 pm
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
8:10 pm
Phil — I know you’re a Falcon fan, therefore I cut you slack on your negative Nancy routine post after post.
C’mon man, it’s impossible for a NFL team to play no one 6 consecutive weeks.
__________________
Aw, phil’s just a realist like me. I’ve been a rabid Falcons fan since their inception in ‘66. Just been burned too many times over the years; beaten down by 46 years of NO championships. I love ‘em to death, but when they play crappy–like they did most of today–I’m gonna whine and moan and call them out.
Big difference in that and being a hater–like MCR, the cowardly liar.
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:18 pm
I’m as rabid as any of em……trust me.
I too am tired of being burned, though.
I’ll fully believe when we ACTUALLY do it.
woeismesince66
October 14th, 2012
8:19 pm
THEY CAN’T BLOCK. What else is new? They go three steps forward and four steps back. Sorry
but thats how it is.
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:20 pm
But crimson 75 is right…..we have played a few decent teams. Barely but still decent, i suppose.
JASon
October 14th, 2012
8:20 pm
“But anybody witnessing the last three victories, sloppy exercises over mediocre opponents Carolina, Washington and Oakland”
I don’t know about this. Oakland was playing with everything they could muster today. We are 6-0. All hail.
GFJacket
October 14th, 2012
8:21 pm
MCR has an easy job, continually criticize Ryan and wait for the Falcons to lose an elimination game. He does have a point – - Ryan has yet to win a playoff game. Even if Ryan were to win the Super Bowl, MCR would highlight his faults/failures. It’s best to simply ignore him. Comparing Ryan’s performance to other elite QB’s like the Mannings at the same stage of their careers won’t satisfy him. He is stll livid that Blank dumped Vick….
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:22 pm
Not exactly, woeisme, since we have won em all….
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:26 pm
Ryan can’t win a playoff game alone….
The TEAM has to show up and win.
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
8:31 pm
So the packers are GREAT and will win?
So the TEXANS are GREAT and will just WASTE the Packers?
Could this be a CLOSE GAME?
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:32 pm
Pack probably wins…..
GFJacket
October 14th, 2012
8:32 pm
Go Pack Go….. then the Falcons will be the only undefeated team….
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
8:33 pm
Schaub look BAD but he hasn’t lost a game YET this year. So Falcon haters does HOUSTON suck too?
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
8:34 pm
Phil/Nole — y’all may have age on me.
I’ve been a fan as long as possible(mid 80s).
I’ve seen the same junk as everyone else.
The Smith Family were terrible.
The swamp fox!! Glanville part 2. June Jones.
Deion’s house game. The boy George victory lap.
Aundray Bruce & Marcus cotton becoming our LT & Carl Banks!!
Drafting Bruce Pinkens #3!! Trading Brett Favor.
Watching Petrino call pigs!!
It has been tough for us all.
Although I was just my mothers dream then, I love watching the old footage on NFL films of Norm Van Brocklin. That guy was the best!!
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:35 pm
Watt can jump 55 inches from a standing position…..
He gets my vote for man of the year.
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
8:36 pm
Bi Cri….#5 Cocaine Harmon Wages wasn’t bad to watch back in the day either. LOL
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
8:37 pm
ROGERS SUCKS he has a Noodle ARM Rogers SUCKS.
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:37 pm
This ref is awful…..i shudder when we draw him.
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:39 pm
Ballgame!!
Pack rolls tonight.
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
8:42 pm
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:26 pm
Ryan can’t win a playoff game alone….
The TEAM has to show up and win.
—–
Can’t agree more.
He didn’t play bad football against Zona or GB.
Last year in NY was another story.
However, He couldn’t have responded to that game any better with the year he’s having & the record the Falcons have.
Answer This
October 14th, 2012
8:43 pm
And you Phil still stink! The negative Nancy routine as somone pointed out does not look good on you. The dress makes you look even fatter…..plus you got cankles! Be negative elsewhere…real fans dont like that crap man…..are you really JSS in disguise trying to get on the wagon! And take off the makeup it makea you look like a Aint fan!
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
8:45 pm
51 — from the stories I’ve been told, he wasn’t alone……David Croupid, anyone?
Nice Harmon Wages reference, btw!
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:45 pm
Well…..
He COULD have responded a bit better. Today wasn’t pretty.
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
8:46 pm
*Croudip*
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:48 pm
Answer this, you clearly need to stop drinking…..
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
8:48 pm
HAHAHA 75………..harmon just kept doing it when he was working for Channel 5…..LOL
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
8:50 pm
PHIL……………what is ROLL for green bay? 10-14-17 points?
guy
October 14th, 2012
8:50 pm
Never fear,the real Falcons will sink like always!
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
8:52 pm
Phil is not JSS.
Phil’s a Falcon fan.
The other guy — who gives a shtt.
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:52 pm
Harmon Wages should be fired!!
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
8:52 pm
guy……………. like Tampa Bay? like the Aint’s? Every dog has it’s Day.
phil
October 14th, 2012
8:53 pm
No, phil is not JSS…..
But i’m ok with him.
Pack rolls by at least 14…..
St. Richt
October 14th, 2012
8:53 pm
Burner Turner needs to drop the first part of his nickname. There isn’t a slower RB in the league… I’m so sick of watching this guy run into the back of the O line. If there isn’t a hole a mile wide, he will not hit it. My grandmother could run through the holes he’s seen this year in his big games. Our achilles heel is clearly at RB. Its obvious to anyone that has ever donned a jock strap in their life. Imagine how good this team would be with a breakaway threat at RB..
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
8:56 pm
51 — while it was admirable what that dude attempted today:
A) I don’t think it was possible(beating Yeagar)
B) it was a publicity stunt
C) it was boring
D) I think I woulda used a different meteorologist!! How many times did that old man botch the wind direction?
Russ: The Backup Mascot
October 14th, 2012
8:59 pm
Turner is not a big time running back. If Falcons could get someone in the backfield that explodes when they hit the hole, they’d be dangerous.
oldfart
October 14th, 2012
9:00 pm
One of the best little vignettes NFL Films ever shot was rookie Harmon Wages coming back to the sidelines and getting the wrath of Norm Van Brocklin after putting himself in the game AND calling his own number. Of course the unedited version is choice but rarely surfaced since that was before cable tv. Harmon did do well with the ladies back in the day though. He was a player in more ways than one.
Jeff, you are too kind that Turner “looks slow at times”. He has clearly lost a step and needs a head of steam to get to a hole when one is created. Case in point was today’s 2nd down play on the Raiders’ 2 when they opened up a hole big enough to drive a truck through off-tackle and he couldn’t get to the goal line before the linebackers closed it up. With his inability to catch the ball and poor blocking he has become more of a liability than an asset. I like him for the past but the NFL is all about “what have you done for me lately”.
phil
October 14th, 2012
9:06 pm
Release the Burner….
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
9:06 pm
Bi cri the OLD man was the man that made the original jump in 1960. he was calling wind directions as the were fed to him from the helio pilot.
I think in order to break the SB he will have to have a better suit so at the speed he can PUNCH a Controlled Hole and not go into a spin.
Answer This
October 14th, 2012
9:06 pm
And you Phil need to drink more…..maybe it will give some blinders to a loser fake angus fan! Drink more complain less…..plus it will make your cankles not swell! Go be a Aints fan….or a Panthers fan….we dont need or want you here…..simple.
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
9:07 pm
GFJacket
October 14th, 2012
8:21 pm
MCR has an easy job, continually criticize Ryan and wait for the Falcons to lose an elimination game. He does have a point – – Ryan has yet to win a playoff game. Even if Ryan were to win the Super Bowl, MCR would highlight his faults/failures. It’s best to simply ignore him. Comparing Ryan’s performance to other elite QB’s like the Mannings at the same stage of their careers won’t satisfy him. He is stll livid that Blank dumped Vick….
____________________
He’s worthless and his opinions are worthless because you already know they won’t change regardless of how successful Ryan and the Falcons perform in the playoffs. He’s driven by hate and racism–and doesn’t hestitate to post blatant lies about Vick’s accomplishments.
SilentCC
October 14th, 2012
9:14 pm
Said Turner: “It’s their team, their scheme, their offense. I’m just here to try to help them win.”
Okay… that’s BAD news. What’s with all the “them” and “their” words? Hey Mr. Turner — is the word “us” in your vocabulary? You were doin’ well early on. What’s happenin’?
Sure make’s me drool over McFadden. He was IMPRESSIVE today.
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
9:15 pm
Welcome to Atlanta.
The most fickle sports fans in America.
Do you people remember 2007?
Do y’all remember the RIP plot in front of Flowery Branch?
Do y’all remember our franchise QB going to jail because it more important to water-board benji’s than read a play book & improve.
Do y’all remember Bobby Peteino whistling for pigs?
Me’Angelo’s antics every other game?
Give it a rest on Michael Turner.
We were lucky HE CHOSE to come here & be apart of what looked like a franchise going no where.
Other than Matt Ryan, no other player on this roster is more responsible for our success since 2008.
Give the guy a break. He’s had 3 solid games in a row before today.
At least y’all have finally figured out Quizz is terrible!