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
jerry
October 15th, 2012
5:40 pm
Falcons going 16-1. Guess where the 1 is.
Esquire
October 15th, 2012
5:50 pm
John Kramme October 15th, 2012 5:00 pm
We can all blame the line and thats fine because they are not playing that great when it comes to running the ball. At the same time, Turner needs to take some of the blame for always running into the back of his line. Someone should show Turner a video of Foster, Jones-Drew, Forte, McCoy, heck… even Legarette Blount. These guys have the ability to cut and even jump over players. Turner is called a bowling ball for a reason, all he can do is run forward until someone grabs his shoe string and a 5′9″ 190 pound corner back takes him down in the open field.
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I agree 110%. I think defenses have figured out that if you hit Turner in the legs he is down. Go back and look at the 2nd down run in the 3rd quarter when he couldn’t get the ball in. He had the entire left side to cut back to but no imagination to do it. The safety cut his legs out from him and had he cut outside to the left the safety never would have won that battle head to head. Sam Baker took a play off on that one. And of course when we gave the ball to Snelling on 3rd down the entire O line got their butts handed to them.
Mike
October 15th, 2012
5:50 pm
Being on the one inch line and not scoring a touchdown should frustrate and concern everyone. A QB sneak with a back pushing from behind surely gets the job done more times than not. The Falcons for two years have not been able to hand the ball to a back and get a yard, half yard, or even an inch. If the coaches are concerned about wear and tear on Ryan, why not put a heavier more durable athlete in the QB spot in that situation. Where is a Tebow when you need one.
Stevie D
October 15th, 2012
5:52 pm
We are 6-0. Hater gone hate.
Bet your favorite team doesn’t have a perfect record right now!
ws
October 15th, 2012
5:52 pm
Turners has aright to be mad. He is getting blame for no blocking. You can take AD, Mo-Jo or McCoy and they couldn’t run behing this line. Getting hit in back field. How are they going to run with no one blocking. Their new O-line coach(Hill) is not helped. I say they were better last year with the coach that lefted. They could run ball for four years. They have not ran ball, good one game this year.
Esquire
October 15th, 2012
5:54 pm
jerry
October 15th, 2012
5:40 pm
Falcons going 16-1. Guess where the 1 is.
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Wonder who they will have to play when we get to their 18th game…………….I can tell you who it won’t be …………!!!
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
October 15th, 2012
5:56 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
October 15th, 2012
5:34 pm
Hi guys, just a quick question.
Why was it so easy to win a playoff game in 2002 & 2004, but not
2008, 2010 & 2011?
Thanks guys…………..
HA HA
____________________________________________________________________
Okay, you win! I guess they won in the playoffs in 2002 and 2004 because of that big, sweaty hunk of man, Mike Vick! Oooh! Don’t you just love the way his muscles ripple on that sweaty, bronze skin of his? Mercy! That is some kind of man there, girls. Is it just me, or is it getting hot in here?
And don’t you just love his fearless man-bravery? I mean, the way he picked up those mean, nasty dogs and just SLAMMED ‘em to the driveway! What a strong, sweaty man! Girls, if I was ever about to be attacked by a pit bull, I know which hunk of manhood I’d want by my side to protect me — Mike!
HA HA
Esquire
October 15th, 2012
5:57 pm
Mike
October 15th, 2012
5:50 pm
Being on the one inch line and not scoring a touchdown should frustrate and concern everyone. A QB sneak with a back pushing from behind surely gets the job done more times than not. The Falcons for two years have not been able to hand the ball to a back and get a yard, half yard, or even an inch. If the coaches are concerned about wear and tear on Ryan, why not put a heavier more durable athlete in the QB spot in that situation. Where is a Tebow when you need one.
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OK, obviously you have never seen Matt Ryan’s QB sneak. My grandmother can do it better.
As far as Tebow is concerned I am certain you are in his prayers.
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
October 15th, 2012
5:57 pm
Choke, why don’t you and Mike just get a room already!
HA HA
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
October 15th, 2012
6:28 pm
Matt is playing JUST good enough to win and isn’t that what Eli Manning has done in the NFL?
John Kramme
October 15th, 2012
6:34 pm
WS
That’s not true granted some teams have a better offensive line but not all. Outside of Harvey Dahl this is the same offensive line since 2008 that made Turner who he is. Yes Svitek took over for an injured Baker but that’s the truth. Forte, McCoy, Johnson, Murray, Richardson, Greene are all having better years than Turner. Turner is 24th in yds/game this year. A lot of this is personal opinion but 24th in the league is not. It speaks for itself.
Sean
October 15th, 2012
6:46 pm
I’ve seen some flashes from Turner the past 2-3 games, but overall…he’s gotten soft. He’s not as explosive when finding holes, but then again…we dont have a pro-bowl full back anymore. He’s getting older, that’s just how it goes. If he’s frustrated, he should do something about it instead of b*tching and getting DUI’s. Where’s that Turner that had something to prove back in 08′?
rbake
October 15th, 2012
6:59 pm
TTurner is not hitting the holes hard enough. He does not run hard. There is not cut back.
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October 15th, 2012
7:47 pm
[...] [...]
Big D
October 15th, 2012
8:23 pm
6-0 Be quiet. Break a tackle occasionally. Make someone miss occasionally. Seriously? I’d love to see the run game producing, but it’s not going to happen with MT unless the holes are gaping.
Falconator
October 15th, 2012
10:10 pm
At 3-3 in the NFC (B)east, I wouldn’t label Washington, “mediocre” — Just ask the Vikings how, “mediocre” the ‘Skins are. And with all due respect, last time I checked the standings, the Raiders are an NFL team, which had TWO weeks to prepare for the Falcons, and TWO weeks rest in doing so. As a TRUE “die-hard” Falcon fan’ since 1977, we haven’t seen many FULL seasons where we won six games total, I don’t care how we’re winning, and the way we’re winning, Falcons teams in the past would have rolled over the last three games. About 60% of all NFL games are decided by eight points or less, regardless of how good or bad the teams’ records are. Kudos to Mike Smith (and the rest of the coaching staff) for having this team disciplined in clock-management, and not “killing” itself in ridiculous penalties.
EasonATL Life-time fan
October 16th, 2012
4:19 am
No one has lost confidence in Cheeseburger Turner. People must remember the loss of Ovie Mughelli mid-way last season seriously hurt our power run game. Also, it’s important for us to not wear out Turner before the playoffs. It has seemed (to me) turner in the past years seems slowed by playoff time and hasn’t had the same burst. So our most dangerous personel seems to be the single-back set with trip wide. Also, we have been able to run the ball just as effective as past years. With the opposing defenses always having to respect the run and quick screens to the receivers. We have the most flexible offenses the falcons have ever had. Let’s keep the folks healthy and keep rising up.
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theight
October 16th, 2012
9:14 am
I can see most of you people have never either played football or the position. You can’t justget the ball and hit a whole quickly, you have to be patient and wait for the play to develop. The only downfall is that this has the slowest group of lineman in all of football so their is no running the ball for them. There is a reason why none of the backs can gain positive yards. Koetter don’t have any designed running plays besides block the man in front of you. This used to be a team with strong lineman but not lately. These lineman are only good for pass blocking. A D-line like Dallas and San Fran is going to murder Matt Ryan unless these group of lineman develop a passion for run blocking.
Esquire
October 16th, 2012
9:31 am
Big D
October 15th, 2012
8:23 pm
6-0 Be quiet. Break a tackle occasionally. Make someone miss occasionally. Seriously? I’d love to see the run game producing, but it’s not going to happen with MT unless the holes are gaping.
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AS WIDE AS THE GRAND CANYON!!
Johnny A
October 16th, 2012
11:18 am
Being able to win 6 times in adverse circumstances reveals great character. Every NFL team has great talent. Character comes from within and is brought out by great coaching by Mike Smith!
KRIDDI
October 16th, 2012
11:26 am
KINDA HARD TO RUN WHEN 50% OF YOUR PLAYS ARE RUN OUT OF AN EMPTY SET!
theight
October 16th, 2012
11:51 am
@Kriddi: I have to ageee!!
Falcon 228
October 16th, 2012
2:00 pm
Looking at the DirecTV Shortcut I saw so many mistakes in the last 3 games I still can’t understand how we have 6 wins. We have a fullback that can’t hold a block, the DBs can’t tackle, confusion with the LBs, and finally bad decisions by Matt Ryan. Believe me, there are so many more that i could list but it would take an hour to point them out. Yes, we’re undefeated at this point but these guys are gonna have to tighten up during the next 10 games or we’re going to wind up on the outside looking in. There won’t be a playoff game to lose.
ronny
October 16th, 2012
5:55 pm
Enter your comments herej rogers is not cutting it, Atlanta I feel needs another running back, I am not taking nothing away from turner, I think turner will do good as long as the line does their job, but Rogers I don’t feel is the man for Atlanta, we need a runningback like Houston has,
ernie wheelwright
October 16th, 2012
7:58 pm
turner ,this isnt the first time you COULDNT GET 1 YARD, youre soft,and you run the ball like you scared
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