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
phil
October 14th, 2012
9:16 pm
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.
*********
you’ll be able to tell my response to your drivel when you keep seeimg me right here! Carry on, dimwit.
phil
October 14th, 2012
9:17 pm
Seeing…..seeing
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
9:17 pm
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!
__________________
You seem to spend you entire Sunday afternoon worrying about who’s a hater and who’s not–and about how other fans react to the Falcons’ performance. Why can’t you comprehend the difference between a hater and a realist?. When you’ve followed the Falcons for as long as many of us have (since ‘66 in my case), you’ve been hurt too many times to just forgive and forget the minute they have an uptick. Personally, I’m delighted that they’re undefeated–and brag about it at every opportunity. But when they lapse into spells of the “old” Falcons–like they did today–I’m gonna sqauawk about it. After 46 years with NO championships, I’m entitled to that–as are the other realist fans.
Worry about Answer This, and quit making snide remarks about everybody who doesn’t react to the team’s performance like you do.
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
9:18 pm
squawk . . . squawk
phil
October 14th, 2012
9:20 pm
Not real sure that answer little can comprehend your advice, dawgnole…..good try though.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
October 14th, 2012
9:21 pm
The main reason the Falcants fail in the playoffs (other than CHOKE)
is because they play all these basement dwellers and then comes January
they go against real talent and are over whelmed.
CHOKE is out of his league. A glorified clipboard holder playing
the role of a starter.
Sorry guys…..facts don’t lie……
30-24….Less than 200 yards.
48-21….Less than 200 yards.
24-2…..Less than 200 yards.
So you can shoot the messenger all you like.
Here a big bullseye on my chest………..
HA HA
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
9:23 pm
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.
_____________________
Yeah, met Harmon at St. Augustine Beach years ago when he and Deborah Norville were an item. For many years, he held the Falcons record for longest pass reception, if I’m not mistaken. And that clip of him and Van Brocklin was a classic.
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
9:24 pm
Sure make’s me drool over McFadden. He was IMPRESSIVE today.
——-
What!!??
McFadden had 70 yards on 27 carries.
That’s 2.6 ypc. He had a TD from the 2 after his team got them there, he lost a fumble & dropped a big pass in the 4th quarter.
Goodson gave the raiders more today.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
October 14th, 2012
9:26 pm
The sad thing is that the Raiders were ranked 29th in
total defense.
Now that’s truly pathetic
phil
October 14th, 2012
9:28 pm
Yes, but the Eagles looked good!
HA HA
Idiot.
Wounded Falcon
October 14th, 2012
9:32 pm
The worst 6-0 team in the NFL! A good high school team could have whipped their butts today!
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
9:32 pm
Yea, those Lions are world beaters.
How many penalties did the Lions have today?
….. And they still won in Philly?
phil
October 14th, 2012
9:33 pm
Pack lightn em up!
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
9:37 pm
The worst 6-0 team in the NFL
—–
After tonight, they’ll be the best & worst 6&0 team in the NFL.
RED BIRD
October 14th, 2012
9:40 pm
ITS GOOD TO BE ABLE TO THROW THE BALL DOWN FIELD,BUT WE CAN GET A LITTLE TO PASS HAPPY. NEED MORE BALANCE. GO BIRDS
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
9:43 pm
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
9:37 pm
The worst 6-0 team in the NFL
—–
After tonight, they’ll be the best & worst 6&0 team in the NFL.
_______________________
Looks like they’ll be the ONLY 6-0 team in the NFL if this continues.
BobDawg
October 14th, 2012
9:47 pm
Looks like MV has lost his “mojo magic “… Losing last second games left and right now… Who wants odds he doesn’t finish this season either as the Philthy’s starter????
phil
October 14th, 2012
9:48 pm
I prefer to see the Pack buried with 4 losses, but it would be fun to be the last of the unbeatens just this once…..
Only 13 more straight wins to banish the 72 Dolphins….lol
phil
October 14th, 2012
9:49 pm
Ray Lewis had that done for the year look today….torn biceps? Torn something in his arm?
Answer This
October 14th, 2012
9:51 pm
o respond to you all I could give a fudge how long you been a fan. Stay a fan, stop tbis sh!$ about how long I am hurt you sound like a old frigging maid. BTW phil you the one dribbling seeming….yea whis drinking? I speak on the fact that yea I grew up a fan in the 70’s up to now so when you speak about tenure know who the fudge you talking to! I been here the same amount of time but you dont see me witching and crying week in and week out about us not winning by 49! I am enjoying the ride much like you witch angus crybabies should do. Boo hoo whoa is me here since 66 never won sick of that crap! Learn to appreciate right now and stop living in the past you pack of pansies!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
October 14th, 2012
9:51 pm
Wounded Falcon
October 14th, 2012
9:32 pm
The worst 6-0 team in the NFL! A good high school team could have whipped their butts today!
____________________________________
AMEN Brother!
Everything will be back to normal in January………..
HA HA
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
9:52 pm
Choke — some observations from the Philadelphia enquirer:
ghjjf says:
Oct 14, 2012 5:05 PM
Michael Pick does it again!
—
Maximus Decimus Meridius says:
Oct 14, 2012 5:06 PM
I think its time to cut ties and go with Foles. The Mike “Pick” show has grown stale in Philly. Vick won’t be there next year and its clear this is not a playoff team. Why not go with Foles now to get the experience?
—-
tigrrrr says:
Oct 14, 2012 5:08 PM
LOL! Some dynasty, vick!
—-
lilrob10201 says:
Oct 14, 2012 5:08 PM
I can’t take it much longer.The most disappointing loss this season.
—-
flavordave says:
Oct 14, 2012 5:20 PM
If turnover machines were for sale, Vick would be a billionare.
—-
Oct 14, 2012 5:29 PM
Did Vick hit any secondary reads the entire game? It looked like he’d stare down his first read and then take off if it wasn’t Jackson. Has Vick looked off a safety all year?
—-
Mr. Wright 212 says:
Oct 14, 2012 5:52 PM
Turnovers kill the Eagles again YAWN.
—–
ohsoblessed1 says:
Oct 14, 2012 6:26 PM
Wow I’m a Vick fan, but he has regressed. He is always good for 2 turnovers per game. That is not acceptable for someone who is suppose to be a star in the nfl.
——
Choke — Vick sucks. He may not be in the league next year.
Who wants him?
Why would they wan him?
The only team in the NFC with the skill players to match the Falcons are the Eagles.
Every post you make hating on Ryan is another post secretly aimed at your dissatisfaction with Vick.
phil
October 14th, 2012
9:55 pm
Answer This = exceedingly challenged intellectually
Good nite all…..
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
October 14th, 2012
9:56 pm
Hey……Shssssh…….
You hear that?
Quiet……………..
Can’t you hear it?
That was CHOKE throwing 3 picks like it was the 1st round
of the playoffs……………
HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
October 14th, 2012
9:57 pm
24-2
I heard the Giants are still waiting for CHOKE
to score a single point………..
HA HA
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
10:02 pm
AMEN Brother!
Everything will be back to normal in January………..
—-
That’s the first correct thing you’ve said all year!!
You’re right.
The Tide will win another National Title in January.
Back to normal, per usual.
David P
October 14th, 2012
10:03 pm
Turner is 100% correct. The playcalling was flat out retarded. NEVER EVER give Snelling OR that shrimp Quiz the ball – EVER. Turner is a beast and should get 20+ carries a game. Passes on 1st down from the 1 yard line??? This new O coordinater is a retard!. Enough with all the shotgun “Matt is elit” nonsense. Give Turner the rock and smash it up the middle; no dancing.
cb795
October 14th, 2012
10:04 pm
If Turner is intrested in improving the running game maybe he might try running harder, don’t let single small backs bring hin down with one arm and try not to run in the backs of his linemen! He is not Red Foreman.
Answer This
October 14th, 2012
10:06 pm
Phil a punk witch angus…..
You suckers deserve Choke….he goes after fake angus fana like you….
Phil=a loser….simple
Pete
October 14th, 2012
10:07 pm
Jeff, do you think the blame is with the o-line not opening up holes or that Turner isn’t as explosive or some combination? I think we would like to run more, but he often seems to only get 1 or 2 yards and we can’t even get that crucial yard or two in the obvious running situations.
Bill
October 14th, 2012
10:09 pm
Perhaps Turners lack of production has something to do with the lack of a blocking fullback.
Archibald Hole Broke
October 14th, 2012
10:10 pm
Falcons ….. pretenders just like the dawgs. It’s just a matter of time before the swoon.
David P
October 14th, 2012
10:12 pm
amen bill. Plus lack of carries. Cut Jaquiz NOW, he sucks.
USMC
October 14th, 2012
10:19 pm
Michael Turner has been about 20lbs. overweight for the last two seasons or more and it shows in his lack of performance.
That being said, The Falcons Offensive line is not very good. If the line doesn’t block for Michael Turner, MT can’t pick up yards and is rendered ineffective.
Go Falcons!
Answer This
October 14th, 2012
10:19 pm
Dawgnole pkease dont speak to me about being a fan. I grew up 2 miles from Fulton County and the old man raised me a part of the Falcon Nation…which was in the 70’s. Not once did I speak of hating…as you put it but I did speak about pansies like you crying week in and week out about what is wrong….its ok to criticize but get over that crap about I cant trust until Falcons win a playoff game or win it all. A realist as you put it realizes that every is our year and if it dont happen we come back next year. No crying no witching we just be around for 30 more years if we blessed enough. We dont cry about not winning a SB we enjoy rides like this. Thats a realist….not a “fan” who does not believe because it has not happened. Is that how you live your life? Because yesterday was a bad day the next day will be bad? If so sad! I dont tell people what to think I just give my opinion like you do about how I am passionate about the Falcons and how I wont get down on them no matter what! If that is wrong i will be wrong…but you wont catch me saying because of three years ago we wont win this year ir because of 20 years ago etc……I am a fan a real fan who is with the team good or bad!
btwarren
October 14th, 2012
10:20 pm
What do you people want. They are 6-0. Other supposed good teams have lost close or not close games for whatever problems they had. The falcons have managed to win them despite the problems. For crying out loud be happy at 6-0. I can’t imagine what would be said if they were 5-1 or 4-2. You’d be wanting to get rid of Arthur Blank. This is the NFl they are not playing a bunch of nuns. These are the games you have to win. Win when you are not playing your best. We are in excellent position here. Work on the problems over the bye and let’s be happy!
USMC
October 14th, 2012
10:20 pm
“Falcons ….. pretenders just like the dawgs. It’s just a matter of time before the swoon.”
Word!
Archibald Hole Broke
October 14th, 2012
10:25 pm
Matty Choke doesn’t even make the playoffs. Mark it down.
Answer This
October 14th, 2012
10:29 pm
Well put btwarren…
enough to have defend against people like Choke but then having to defend against people wbo claim to be fans is just to much….i guess it is a crime to be 6-0 and win ugly….
IlliniDawg
October 14th, 2012
10:32 pm
Unbelievable and ironic that the guy bitching about the running game is really the core of the problem. Look in the mirror, dude. You have personal issues, attitude problems, deteriorating physical abilities, and a lack of self-discipline. You get to work on those and gee… maybe our running game might improve.
Time to extinguish what is left of the Burner.
IlliniDawg
October 14th, 2012
10:35 pm
Never have understood Choke’s irrational obsessive hatred of Matt Ryan. I honestly don’t know anyone like you who hates, despises, disparages, and disrespects someone like you do Matt Ryan. What is up with you, dude?
Answer This
October 14th, 2012
10:46 pm
Here is real irony….guys like Phil….dawgnole…you guys are like Turner….not satisfied to win and be 6-0….you greedy and want more…
Michael M.
October 14th, 2012
10:57 pm
Enter your comments here
Michael M.
October 14th, 2012
10:59 pm
Falcons already are the only undefeated Team in the entire NFL………………that ballgame is as well as over in Houston………………Atlanta is playing for home field now !
Michael M.
October 14th, 2012
11:00 pm
Get on the kool-aid train now………….Falcons have a break to rest and refocus for the so called good teams coming after the bye…………………………its onwards and upwards one game at a time…………
Buckhead Benny
October 14th, 2012
11:03 pm
First, we don’t have a powerful driving offensive line where u can say hey we’re going to run it this play see if u can stop us- McClure, garret Reynolds are finesse guys and so is Clabo and baker they seemed to do better on passing downs then running downs, fyi
Blalock is good but they need to get more girth than Reynolds there and Peter Konz I think next year will be able to drive d lineman better
This is an Oakland team that had two weeks to prepare that is huge in the nfl and had their players rested for two weeks
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
October 14th, 2012
11:09 pm
The Eagles melted down in the fourth quarter — again. They are 3-3 and Mike is frustrated. You know he is a new dog owner, right? I’d hate to be be that poor puppy when Mike gets home from work! Somebody is going to get kicked like a football.
Michael M.
October 14th, 2012
11:10 pm
agree……….Raiders were underestimated and played to upset and beat an undefeated Team…………………would have been a feather in their caps to pull off an upset in the Dome just as the Packers are doing to the Texans at the very moment………….
Michael M.
October 14th, 2012
11:12 pm
Eagles are nowhere good enough to whip Atlanta……………Giants may take em, then again playing in the Dome, could be Eli and company going home with their tails between their legs……………………
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
October 14th, 2012
11:15 pm
Mike is a loser, a convicted felon, a sick sadist, and a lazy football player who won’t watch game film, and is too stupid to comprehend a play book.
Meanwhile, under Matt Ryan, the Falcons are the only undefeated team in the NFL. Are off to their best start in team history, and have enjoyed winning seasons ever since he got here.
Sorry, but the facts don’t lie!
HA HA