Falcon Fantom Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Personally, I have mixed feelings about Michael Turner. Atlanta loves to use heavy run-oriented offensive personnel groupings and very much wants to be the more physical team with a power rushing attack. Turner fits that mold very well. He is a load to bring down and can batter a defense. Turner is also excellent in short yardage and near the goal line. He takes and dishes out a lot of punishment. [+] EnlargeKevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesMichael Turner has been a workhorse for the Falcons when healthy, but are his best days behind him?But on the other hand, I see a back whose best days might already be behind him and someone who will never be an asset in the passing game. And Atlanta is sure to feature its passing attack more and more as Matt Ryan continues to rapidly develop. Turner needs a lot of carries to flourish. He ran for over 100 yards six times last season, but also failed to reach the 50-yard barrier on five other occasions. So, in the end, I now see Turner as an above-average starting NFL running back, but not a guy who is as valuable as he once was. And the arrow is probably going down. Turner’s backup is Jason Snelling. Depending on the collective bargaining agreement, Snelling could hit the open market. This is a very good all-around player who probably views himself as a starter somewhere in this league. Snelling is a big-bodied running back who also fits Atlanta’s scheme very well, but he offers much more in the passing game than Turner. Snelling caught 44 passes in 2010. But Snelling isn’t quite the sledgehammer that his measurables would suggest. And Snelling also has very little wear on his tires. Jerious Norwood will become a free agent, but the drafting of Jacquizz Rodgers seems to have sealed Norwood’s fate as playing for someone else next season. Rodgers is a much more physical runner than Norwood. He is built very low to the ground and has some power in his short frame. Rodgers is extremely quick and tough to lay a good hit on, while also having the skill set to be a prominent member of the Falcons’ passing attack. He doesn’t have Norwood’s long speed, but Rodgers was a steal in the fifth round. One player to keep an eye on if Turner were to go down is Gartrell Johnson. Johnson very well could end up not making this roster, but if he were to stick and be thrust into a prominent role, this hard-nosed power back might surprise. The Falcons also have one of the better run-blocking offenses in the league -- and that extends to every position on the field. Julio Jones also fits the mold of a big physical wideout who can help spring running backs for long runs with perimeter blocks. But there could be some reshuffling of the offensive line during free agency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metatron360 Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Behind our line any RB can find success as long as they can read and anticipate creases. But now that turner will face 2 safety deep plenty this year i think he will have a huge year possibly the best yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolafan33 Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 After watching film of Michael Turner, Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williams sees "a back whose best days might already be behind him."Turner averaged just 3.58 YPC against a string of mediocre run defenses in the final five games of last season, showing a lack of burst and explosion. As Williamson suggests, Turner's "arrow is going down" at age 29 after leading the NFL in carries in two of the past three seasons. Signs point to the Falcons opening up the offense under Matt Ryan, decreasing the rushing attempts. Turner is no longer a first-round fantasy pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karst41 Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 I cant emphasize this enough.Turner will be entering his Eight Season in the NFL.At this point he needs to lose 5 lbs every season or until he drops to 235 lbs.The loss of weight will enable him to retain speed and extend his career.235 lbs is still a hard tackle to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UptownHardHitta Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 I hope this dude is right, Turner has been a pain in my arse for the past few years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolafan33 Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 I cant emphasize this enough.Turner will be entering his Eight Season in the NFL.At this point he needs to lose 5 lbs every season or until he drops to 235 lbs.The loss of weight will enable him to retain speed and extend his career.235 lbs is still a hard tackle to make.That's my complaint with Turner, he definetly needs to shed some lbs. I honestly don't believe that he weights 244, and he came into the league at 237. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Fantom Posted June 9, 2011 Author Share Posted June 9, 2011 Unless Turner drops some weight, I think this is his last year, and then it's Snelling and Quizz.That's if we can keep Snelling. He has stated that he wants money and playing time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metatron360 Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Turner is an elite rusher who when defence's know whats coming he can still break plays, lets not forget 8-9 in the box on run downs. Our offence nearly always runs on first and second down especially when we are winning the game. Ofcourse matt is our third down specialist since he throws on nearly all 3 rd and over 5 situations. And he is amazing at completing those clutch downs or getting close enough for a fourth for turner to consistently pick it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cannonballsghost Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I wish to never hear ATLANTA RUNNING BACKS AND BREAKING DOWN in the same sentence again ........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REV.2000 Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 LIKE IT OR NOT .... HERE COMES MIKE TURNER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironhead1970 Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 LIKE IT OR NOT .... HERE COMES MIKE TURNER. +1000! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconmaniac Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I think that having Julio (great blocking wr who will demand attention) and Jenkins (also a great blocking wr) will really help Turner.I agree that he needs to shed a few lbs but I think he will have a better year.That being said.....I think that it is imperative that we find a way to keep Snelling.He has looked great when he has had a chance to get in the game. Running, catching and blocking!With a shorter off season odds are that Turner will be heavier than normal.Also, players seem to always get hurt when they have a shorter off season. We must have Snelling here to fill that void if Turner goes down if we really want to talk about a Super Bowl!Snelling has ALOT of tread on the tires! It would be a shame to see him go somewhere else and become an all pro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theyhateme : ) Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 With the drafting of JJ and the committment to get the ball down the field, Turner is gonna be Turner. He must be careful of the weight, because it's murder on the knees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freebird310 Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Turner will be good for around 1300 and 9-10 rushing TD's .... given the fact we got a nice shiny new toy in Rodgers who will for sure see some end zone this year, I will take it ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 IMO Turner will have his best season this year. Might not hit the 1700 yard mark, but his YPC should be nice.The team will have to open the box more than ever with Ryan's progression and our new WR corps!He cant run for 1700 every season, and the fact that people are still complaining after he passed 1300 yards last season amazes me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllStarHandyMan Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Turner has 4 good years one because he only be a starter with us and 2 over the years are passing game going to become more and he will get more yard runs with less carries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrtay Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Turner hasn't even got but 2 and a half years worth of tread on his tires. I really don't see him slowing down just yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*TMo* Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Deangelo Williams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Right Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 If our front office was intelligent, they would trade Turner once the CBA is reached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*TMo* Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 (edited) I cant emphasize this enough.Turner will be entering his Eight Season in the NFL.At this point he needs to lose 5 lbs every season or until he drops to 235 lbs.The loss of weight will enable him to retain speed and extend his career.235 lbs is still a hard tackle to make.I actually think this is a good idea. Maybe Michael Turner needs to visit the Tony Gonzalez school of physically staying younger longer. Edited June 12, 2011 by *TMo* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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