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
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
October 14th, 2012
11:25 pm
Matt CLUTCH Ryan engineered YET ANOTHER last-minute scoring drive to will his team to another improbable, come-from-behind victory, to remain the ONLY undefeated team in the league. Yet there is till a clown who insists on calling him a choker. Now that’s funny!
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
October 14th, 2012
11:27 pm
Hey Choke, are you hungry? How about a slice of humble pie?
Oh, I forgot. You’re full of sour grapes.
HA HA
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
October 14th, 2012
11:31 pm
Mike’s favorite Chinese dishes:
Schezuan Shitzu
Peking Pekinese
Sweet & Sour Schnauzer
Mongolian Mongrel
Hunan Hound
HA HA
LOL at the Aints
October 14th, 2012
11:51 pm
This team is good, but until they beat the Giants,, or the Packers,, or whoever in the playoffs,, none of this matters,, other than that great win guys,, Go Birds, and would someone please punch Chris Collinsworth in the mouth,, LOL
joeyoff
October 15th, 2012
12:09 am
Some of the lack of running game is due to the lack of a o-line. None of our backs have gotten anything. Not quiz, not snelling, and not turner. Of the 3 turner is the best. In order to have a great run game you got to have some holes. However, another major issue is that turner is slow. He cannot get to the corner. He can only run straight and if it’s not there we only get a couple yards. Greta backs find holes when they’re not always there. So imo this should be turner’s last season.
as a result, we have to be pass first. It works for us now and it’s what the team has been building the last few years clearly. Quiz is too small for a full time back. I wish snelling was more productive but he doesn’t really seem to be. In any case teams like NE hardly ever run the ball and they still win/won in the past. But I agree, we need a run game to some degree, especially when we are barely leading near the end of the game and have a weak o-line for pass protection (need that play action).
Thomas Brown 5 yrs of losing every ranked team 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
October 15th, 2012
12:24 am
UGA # 12 this week # 11 in 1st BCS with Strength of Schedule # 103 in the nation for 2012 season. Our “opponents” we have played have a 10-17 record and those we have yet to play have a 12-18 record for a combined 22-35 Record on the season for all of UGA’s opponents.
# 67 Rushing Defense NCAA Rank UGA
# 39 Pass Defense NCAA Rank UGA
# 50 Total Defense NCAA Rank UGA
# 78 Sacks of Opposing QB NCAA Rank UGA
# 43 Sacks Allowed NCAA Rank UGA
# 35 First Downs given-up by Defense NCAA Rank UGA
# 61 First Downs by Offense NCAA Rank UGA
# 42 Third Down Conversions Allowed by Defense NCAA Rank UGA
# 31 Third Down Conversions by Offense NCAA Rank UGA
# 109 Net Punting NCAA Rank UGA
# 59 Punt Returns NCAA Rank UGA
# 40 Kick-Off Returns NCAA Rank UGA
# 42 Kick-Off Returns Defense NCAA Rank UGA
# 109 Punt Return Yardage Defense NCAA Rank UGA
# 93 Penalties per Game NCAA Rank UGA
# 51 Total Offense NCAA Rank Aaron Murray
# 103 NCAA Strength of Schedule all 2012 Season UGA
For this, we’re ranked # 11 in the BCS
# 5 of just SEC teams in BCS AP Coaches’
UGA has no business backing-into The SEC Championship Game against Alabama or LSU again this season; that belongs to USCe, despite our CUPCAKE SCHEDULE.
Steve Spurrier is still complaining about Connor Shaw’s inability to take USCe up and down the field like
_______________
Zach Mettenberger
_______________
did against USCe.
Both USCe and LSU have amazing depth on their teams, along with Alabama.
We have 66 scholarship recruits plus 1 transfer-in who can play vs Florida both (6-1) when we play. Florida can run and punt and has a great Defense; Florida cannot pass, has a pitiful offense, cannot return punts nor kick-offs while getting sacked on every play and while not registering any sacks themselves.
Look for
________________________
Aaron Murray to wet the bed
________________________
with UGA coming out on top. Florida is losing 4 games 2012 including both of the next 2 weeks.
__________________________________________
Florida gets Deflowered for the 1st of 4 Losses 2012
__________________________________________
UGA is 27-point pick over Kentucky (1-6)
Georgie tek (2-4) is 13-point pick over Boston College (1-5)
Florida 3 and a half-point pick over South Carolina at Swamp
Gritsfalcon
October 15th, 2012
12:37 am
The Falcons ARE 6-0. And yes “winning teams” find a way to “win.” But eventually, with the lack of running the ball, they’ll find a way to loose! Michael Turner is slower now and you can tell when he hits an opposing defender he doesn’t drive that defender backward like he used too. Start giving it to Lousaka Polite for the short yardage sits and see if that doesen’t work. If they don’t start running the ball teams can just tee-off on Matt Ryan!!!
BTW, whatever happened to all those screen passes we were supposed to see from Dirk Koetter?
Norwegian Blue
October 15th, 2012
12:41 am
Turner is right. And for his detractors, keep in mind that he averages 4.4 ypc, while our backups average 2.7 (Rodgers) and 2.4 (Snellings). Anyone who actually watches the Falcons week-to-week knows that Turner is our best RB. They also know that he helps us more if he gets 20+ carries per game (rather than 11) and MORE THAN ONE CHANCE at the goal line. McFadden carried 27 times for 70 yards today and the Raiders almost pulled off the upset. If Turner had carried 27 times he would have had 140 yards and we wouldn’t have needed a last second FG to win…
Paddy
October 15th, 2012
1:12 am
If we can get closer to a 50/50 run pass ratio both the run and the pass offense will be better in the coming games. If we used a fullback more Turner would get alot more yards! I know the 2 back set and the middle linebacker are lost positions in todays NFL but hell, Turner needs a fullback out front.
Thomas Brown 5 yrs of losing every ranked team 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
October 15th, 2012
1:32 am
You’ll are missing the point on the Falcons’ game : That was an exciting NFL game. We were losing the whole entire time. With one-second on the clock they iced 1 time-out of their 3 in the bag to use and Matt Bryant – MISSED. Tony Gonzalez had made 2 miraculous catches in a row to give us the 55-yard winning kick with a second left. There was no over-time.
Oakland has a roster of Sebastian Janikowski who was warming-up with we intercepted to give us this chance. They have Darren McFadden, Carson Palmer out of Southern California, Richard Seymour in his 12th NFL season one of which in my-book he was Super Bowl MVP by a wide margin and several others almost that good. They have Brandon Myers, Denarious Moore, Derek Hagan, Marcel Reece and have every reason to be a great passing team, therefore. They have Shane Lechler, Phillip Adams, and Mike Goodson on Special Teams too. On Defense, they have Rolando McClain, Phillip Wheeler, and Tyvon Branch. Oakland is a lot better than Kentucky, Buffalo college, Missouri who has lost 4 of their last 6, Tennessee, Florida Atlantic and Vanderbilt.
Get with the program : The Falcons are an excellent football team.
UGA plays the # 103 strength of schedule 2012. The Falcons have 4 tough games 2012, while UGA had really one, but now Florida is fixing to lose the next 2 weeks and to end the season and in their bowl game.
6-0 Atlanta Falcons ? Is that anything like Florida 6-0 no.
Thomas Brown 5 yrs of losing every ranked team 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
October 15th, 2012
1:34 am
You’ll are missing the point on the Falcons’ game : That was an exciting NFL game. We were losing the whole entire time. With one-second on the clock they iced 1 time-out of their 3 in the bag to use and Matt Bryant – MISSED. Tony Gonzalez had made 2 miraculous catches in a row to give us the 55-yard winning kick with a second left. There was no over-time.
Atlanta Falcons 6-0 amazing and not like Florida 6-0
Thomas Brown 5 yrs of losing every ranked team 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
October 15th, 2012
1:34 am
You’ll are missing the point on the Falcons’ game : That was an exciting NFL game. We were losing the whole entire time. With one-second on the clock they iced 1 time-out of their 3 to use and Matt Bryant – MISSED. Tony Gonzalez had made 2 miraculous catches in a row to give us the 55-yard winning kick with a second left. There was no over-time.
Oakland has a roster of Sebastian Janikowski who was warming-up with we intercepted to give us this chance. They have Darren McFadden, Carson Palmer out of Southern California, Richard Seymour in his 12th NFL season one of which in my-book he was Super Bowl MVP by a wide margin and several others almost that good. They have Brandon Myers, Denarious Moore, Derek Hagan, Marcel Reece and have every reason to be a great passing team, therefore. They have Shane Lechler, Phillip Adams, and Mike Goodson on Special Teams too. On Defense, they have Rolando McClain, Phillip Wheeler, and Tyvon Branch. Oakland is a lot better than Kentucky, Buffalo college, Missouri who has lost 4 of their last 6, Tennessee, Florida Atlantic and Vanderbilt.
Get with the program : The Falcons are an excellent football team.
UGA plays the # 103 strength of schedule 2012. The Falcons have 4 tough games 2012, while UGA had really one, but now Florida is fixing to lose the next 2 weeks and to end the season and in their bowl game.
Atlanta Falcons 6-0 amazing and not like Florida 6-0
Thomas Brown 5 yrs of losing every ranked team 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
October 15th, 2012
1:35 am
You’ll are missing the point on the Falcons’ game : That was an exciting NFL game. We were losing the whole entire time. With one-second on the clock they iced 1 time-out of their 3 in the bag to use and Matt Bryant – MISSED. Tony Gonzalez had made 2 great and important catches in a row to give us the 55-yard winning kick with a second left. There was no over-time.
Oakland has a roster of Sebastian Janikowski who was warming-up with we intercepted to give us this chance. They have Darren McFadden, Carson Palmer out of Southern California, Richard Seymour in his 12th NFL season one of which in my-book he was Super Bowl MVP by a wide margin and several others almost that good. They have Brandon Myers, Denarious Moore, Derek Hagan, Marcel Reece and have every reason to be a great passing team, therefore. They have Shane Lechler, Phillip Adams, and Mike Goodson on Special Teams too. On Defense, they have Rolando McClain, Phillip Wheeler, and Tyvon Branch. Oakland is a lot better than Kentucky, Buffalo college, Missouri who has lost 4 of their last 6, Tennessee, Florida Atlantic and Vanderbilt.
Get with the program : The Falcons are an excellent football team.
UGA plays the # 103 strength of schedule 2012. The Falcons have 4 tough games 2012, while UGA had really one, but now Florida is fixing to lose the next 2 weeks and to end the season and in their bowl game.
Atlanta Falcons 6-0 amazing and not like Florida 6-0
blackjack
October 15th, 2012
1:36 am
The way these birds have played over the last 3 games..tells me that we don’t have much of a team, I don’t give a dam what the media heads say! Any time you are on the 2ft line and can’t punch it in for the 6..you SUCK!! Is it coaching,players or a combo of the 2??
Really the birds should be 3-3 at this point..I don’t see them doing much the last 10 games..Will they finally W a play off game?? The coin toss says not!
Thomas Brown 5 yrs of losing every ranked team 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
October 15th, 2012
1:46 am
You give no credit to Oakland. That was a great play by Darren McFadden tackling at the 1-yard line. The offense made-up for not punching than in on the stout goal-line defense. Matt Bryant pulled the warm-up on a left hook, slightly – but, measured it up after Tony Gonzalez by himself made the last 2 catches on the last 2 plays of the game to set us up.
6-0.
You know how many times the Atlanta Falcons have been 6-0 ?
How about how many times we’ve been 0-6 ?
Joseph
October 15th, 2012
4:01 am
The truth is that the team has NOT played well in weeks. What we are seeing is a setting up of a playoff meltdown where we are drubbed out immediately if we dont get the run game going and tighten up on those interceptions. 6-0 means nothing if you know in your heart, your just not that good. I am very happy about a record 6-0 start but again….the falcons could easily be 3-3 right now too. I am not impressed yet as the competition will get stiffer moving forward.
Truckstop
October 15th, 2012
5:11 am
Seriously, am I the only one who thinks the MAJOR (not the only) problem with the Falcons’ run defense is the ineffective play of middle linebacker Akeem Dent? I know he got the job by default (because of injuries and loss of Lofton to free agency) but given the opportunity, he hasn’t been able to deliver.
I’m sure the Falcons are well aware of this problem (Mike Smith actually said so last week) but apparently Dent (unfortunately) must be their best option and the Falcons just might be forced to continue to use him for the rest of the season.
So unless his play greatly improves, we can expect to see the same issues with the run defense.
jerry
October 15th, 2012
5:39 am
They can’t stop the run, there is not a decent running back on the roster, nor a decent receiver out of the backfield, nor a decent punt returner, and there is still a lack of inovation on offense (Smith loves to keep things simple, therefore you see the exact same plays run over and over and over). 6-0 indicates that the NFL is down this year.
Acworth Adam
October 15th, 2012
6:11 am
The ball was within the 1 yard line line after the Oakland penalty in the 3rd qtr and they still could not run it in. The lack of any running game will cost them at some point.
Two separate issues, Jaquizz Rogers just seems lost out there. He can’t finish runs and looks shaky in the passing game. Akeem Dent is a great special teams player, but is not a starting middle linebacker.
Senor Smoke
October 15th, 2012
6:18 am
if we had mcfadden the running game would look a lot better. Turner is slow. doesnt hit the hole. he’s tj duckett all over again…
Samuel
October 15th, 2012
6:33 am
It’s the run blocking our defensive lineman aren’t very athletic and we don’t turn out pro bowl lineman. Also there’s no running back who can push Turner. Jaquizz Rodgers is not the answer and Jason Snelling hardly plays. We just don’t have a speed back who can break one every time he touches the ball.
Bird dance
October 15th, 2012
6:43 am
Great win shame crowd was lame again empty seats where the idiots Raiders fans come from..Oh the sewer system in atlanta..again fake falcon fans love oakland cause they think so great alike…My Take Turner no gets started runnin at 2yard line down we need couple of Off.lineman block for Matt Ryan are he be broken ice soon…..defense bends some be bad if played Packs we get sliced….we need beat Vick at Phiily after Bye week….i hope we knock him silly in a win there….be 7-0 after it!
Larry
October 15th, 2012
6:46 am
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.”
“Their team?” “Their offense?”
I’d cut concrete feet for this alone.
Nativebird
October 15th, 2012
6:50 am
Geessh guys just come out and say it….this offensvive line is horrible! What, do we think that’ll hurt their fragile psyche and make them play even worse? C,mom..theyre bad. Isn’t this why Dimitroff has desperately drafted Oline in upper rounds this year? Where’s Konz? Hawley is a joke…flat out bust…..they had him at full back for cyring out loud last Week. Sam Baker has never done the job. McClure is what….42 now. They punted Harvey Dahl last year and ever since they’ve fallen apart. This is the most SERIOuS problem with this team yet non of you press guys ever write about it.
Rod
October 15th, 2012
7:01 am
The entire NFL knows that they Falcons can’t get 1 yard if they have to. It was this way last season too – and cost them games then.
3rd and an inch late in the game – 99% of other teams would have the O-Line shoot forward and have the QB push it in. Ryan’s to wimpy to try that.
smokey121
October 15th, 2012
7:11 am
Well I guess Congrats are in order FALCONS!!!!!! Now my Monday Morning Quarterbacking Starts. 1. Offensive Line Grade for the last 3 games D- . This line eventually is gonna cause Matty Ice to be placed on Injured Reserve List, Turner can’t run the ball because this line Don’t open any holes for him to Hit. 2. RUN DEFENSE GRADE for last 6 Games is F. WE got exposed on the run Defense back in Pre-Season. Oakland knew our record on run defense and decided to GUT Atlanta with there SORRY RUN game. They were averaging 61 yards Running per game, they Doubled that against us. Mike Smith and the other coaches better address these issues or we could easily go 0-6 the next 6 games.
BooBoo
October 15th, 2012
7:18 am
Besides the low biorhythms for the team, it was me. I missed the game and did not sit in my lucky chair. My bad.
George Burdette
October 15th, 2012
7:23 am
Turner just doesn’t hit the hole with any speed. By the time he gets to the hole, it has already closed. The Falcons need a back that has more speed along with power.
RunninWithTheDawgs
October 15th, 2012
7:31 am
We’re home every other weekend and we’re away every other weekend. That’s a lot of being on the road plus taking all the NFL hard knocks. The extra week off couldn’t have come at a better time. All of our guys need to do nothing but lay around the house for 3 or 4 days and rest up, then get out and have some fun for a couple of days hell…..go possum hunting, and fishing. Get out and get drunk and play some pool, and chase women or men whichever is your preference. TAKE A WEEK OFF ! HAVE FUN !
Then come back with a vengance. GO FALCONS !
BubbaDaBaller
October 15th, 2012
7:39 am
Da Raidah’s musta thought all the “Rise Up” noise was for them ( and AL rip)…if you listen to the other ATL legends that threw balls for a living…the difference between good and great is what you do when things aren’t going your way. MR2 had an uncharacteristic day for turnovers (although if we’re talking MV7 it would be characteristic). I saw more grabbing and wavin by the D (instead of tackling) which gave the Silver & Black yards after the initial hit…Someone needs to tell Dumta that “kill shots” will get you on Sports Center win or lose and missed tackles make for latter. Raiders are very fast and adjustments were not made…fortunately their bad play (12 penalties) didn’t help their cause…BTW a road win in the NFL, now matter what the fashion is huge…Wash coulda been an L but they won….
Bye Week and on to Qtr 2 of the season…
garcia
October 15th, 2012
7:42 am
Turner is not the problem. He would be devastating, if he had an OL that would open running lanes. I give the left side of the line a pass because they need to concentrate on pass protection. Ryan’s blind side is priority one.
The problem is the right side of the OL. We should be relying on that side to run the ball, yet we tend to run to the left, when the short yards are needed. That is very telling. Clabo is playing hurt. He is doing what he can.
Reynolds is the real problem. As the RG, he needs to be the best run blocker. Instead, he is simply a warm body. I want TD to work out RG’s during this bye week. The RG position is now the desperate need for this team. Without a better performance on short yardage, this team will crumble in the playoffs.
Rodster
October 15th, 2012
7:59 am
Sorry, but a lot has to be on Turner. He is older and definitely not the same player that first came to us from San Diego. But of course he’s got to have a hole to run through also so there is no doubt an issue there as well. But, good teams find a way to win and so far they have done that.
RunninWithTheDawgs
October 15th, 2012
7:59 am
Harvey Dahl was the man, and they let him get away, and the o line hasn’t been the same since.
Jones2
October 15th, 2012
8:01 am
Mike.. do your part when you get the ball. your past running skills show you can’t go left to right if you hit the middle do it like you wanna make the yards. its a team not a me stop whinnig and just do your best
Humpy
October 15th, 2012
8:14 am
Turner needs to get back to his old running style and run straight ahead rather than turning sideways.
NtheNo
October 15th, 2012
8:15 am
I would be interested to see Turner’s weight & 40 time when he arrived in ATL vs. what it is today.
C from Marietta
October 15th, 2012
8:21 am
Only in Atlanta. Do you have a 6-0 team and folks complain about the team.
Norwegian Blue
October 15th, 2012
8:26 am
NtheNo 10/15 @ 8:15 am… Definitely agree with that.
Ivan
October 15th, 2012
8:27 am
“Some of it is on the offensive line.”
If by “some of it” you mean 99.9999% of it, then yes, some of it is on the offensive line.
C from Marietta
October 15th, 2012
8:27 am
Please NO MORE comparisions to UGA football. College and Pro football are 2 different animals.
Tebow Rotting On Bench
October 15th, 2012
8:32 am
Mr. Turner, I want you to watch the Giants-49ers game. Watch Ahmad Bradshaw hit the line twice as fast as you do. At the same time Bradshaw gets to the line you haven’t even taken the handoff ? You are slow and you tip-toe instead of use your speed. Watch the damn film.
Tebow Rotting On Bench
October 15th, 2012
8:34 am
Trade Turner to Dolphins for Reggie Bush. Dolphins aint going nowhere and Bush has speed.
Tebow Rotting On Bench
October 15th, 2012
8:37 am
Turner looks like Tony Gonzalez running the ball. Ahmad Bradshaw looks like Usain Bolt running the ball. Turner would be # 3 back on Giants behing Bradshaw & Wilson. Heck, he might be # 4 ?
Tebow Rotting On Bench
October 15th, 2012
8:38 am
Turner’s handoff to the line of scrimmage speed is 7.9
Tebow Rotting On Bench
October 15th, 2012
8:40 am
If Turner runs a 4.7 then Bradshaw runs a 3.0
Tebow Rotting On Bench
October 15th, 2012
8:42 am
No blocking and a slow back like Turner is why you can’t run the ball. Duh.
Chop Buster
October 15th, 2012
8:49 am
“Some of this lack of production is on him. He looks slow at times.” That’s because Turner is slow. He expects the OL to open holes five yards wide. He expects Polite to do what Ovie did…not going to happen.
Next time you interview Turner, ask him why he consistently runs into the back of his blocker when the hole has obviously closed. Why is he incapable of keeping his feet moving and bouncing the ball to the outside? Why would thighs the size of tree trunks is he not trucking guys over? He’s soft that’s why.
Top teams in this league play with a “refuse to be stopped” mindset. Defense should have a “refuse to let the opponent score” mindset. We still got some weaknesses on both sides of the ball, that’s evident. Until then I’ll enjoy the team that they’ve fielded this year and wait to see where we are at the end of the year.
Dawgs98
October 15th, 2012
8:50 am
George Burdette is spot on! If Michael “Tippy” Turner actually hit the hole like a 250lb back instead of tip-toeing up to the line looking for a hole, we would have a more effective running game!
Flo-Ri-Duh
October 15th, 2012
8:53 am
The OL needs upgrading . that’s obvious. Maybe next year they can get a couple of free agents or draft an OL that can start. The only thing they can do now is get by with what they have or make a trade. Turner looks heavy even though he is lighter than last year. Bottom line – the holes aren’t there to go through. The DL , especially DE could use an upgrade also.. just one pass rusher at DE would be a big help.
Flo-Ri-Duh
October 15th, 2012
8:55 am
Against the Giants Atlanta’s OL and DL would b dominated. At least they are getting by the weak teams on the schedule.