theProf Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 NFC South top 25: No. 23Jun 20 11:05 AM ETBy Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.comWe continue our series of my projected top 25 players in the NFC South for the 2012 season with No. 23:Michael Turner, running back, AtlantaWhat he did in 2011: Turner rushed for 1,340 yards and 11 touchdowns on 301 carries. He also caught 17 passes for 168 yards. Those are very good numbers for any running back. But Turner and Atlanta’s offense weren’t very consistent last year. Turner’s yards tended to come in bunches. He finished the season with a 172-yard game against Tampa Bay, but went five straight games without a 100-yard performance before that. In an embarrassing playoff loss to the New York Giants, Turner was as ineffective as the rest of Atlanta’s offense. He finished that game with 41 yards on 15 carries.Why he’s No. 23 in 2012: Although Turner now is 30 and has lots of miles on his legs, I still see him as a 1,000-yard rusher. Yeah, I know the Falcons have been very consistent this offseason in stating that the number of carries for Turner will be reduced. But that doesn’t mean the Falcons are trying to phase him out of the offense. They merely are trying to help him continue to be effective. The coaching staff wants to keep his legs fresher than in past years and second-year pro Jacquizz Rodgers is going to get a lot more playing time than he did a year ago. The Falcons also want more out of their downfield passing game. But the increased use of Rodgers and more passes downfield should only help Turner. He’s a power back, capable of wearing down a defense. He can do a better job of that if he’s fresh and the offense at least has a threat of a downfield passing game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xSICKxWITHxITx Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Lol was about to post this. I think he got this one wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonOfThemBirds Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I think that 23 is too low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Ok, Pat is obviously basing his projections on what he thinks players will do in 2012, and not on what they have done up until this point. That's cool, I guess. 23 is still a little too low though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 There are four teams with 53 players in the NFC South. That's 212 players. The Top 25 players would be in the 12% percentile range. Too low for Turner. Should be higher. Take him off the Falcons and see what you get. Put him in NO and see what you get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 to break it down evenly the top 25 in the NFCS is roughly the 6 best players from each team. (24 total)So pretty much every team has 5-6 players on their roster better than Turner according to PatY. I am guessing no on that one when just thinking off the top of my head.....Well, lets see who Just the Falcons would have if we took their top 6....it is almost impossible to find a top 6 that is indisputable. Heck, Turner may not be a top 6 player on this roster honestly. But do the other 3 teams all have 5-6 players better than Turner? Thats the question. * indictes my top 6 as of today (not just 2011 stats)Turner*White*JonesGonzalezAbraham*Weatherspoon*Ryan*Grimes*Samuel(not to mention Clabo and Blaylock, evn though they arent glory positions) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonOfThemBirds Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 If Pat Y puts Blount ahead of Turner then ESPN needs to find them a new NFC South writer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tootie Quivers Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 This about right. If I were building a team out of the NFC South I can easily think of 23 players I would rather have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandiegofalcon Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 (edited) Fine by me, I would easily take any of the three Panther's running backs over him going into this season. Edited June 20, 2012 by sandiegofalcon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Fine by me, I would easily take any of the three Panther's running backs over him going into this season.Meaning Williams, Stewart and Newton? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonOfThemBirds Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Meaning Williams, Stewart and Newton?I was thinking that he meant that as well but he might have thought about Tolbert as the 3rd back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Tolbert over Turner is a joke. He is a goal line vulture, and IMO wouldnt be able to handle a load like Turner did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonOfThemBirds Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Tolbert over Turner is a joke. He is a goal line vulture, and IMO wouldnt be able to handle a load like Turner did.I agree because even though Tolbert is more versatile than Turner, he is not the workhorse Turner is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dirty Bird Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 23 is about right. Like someone said above, it comes out to about 6 players a team.Matt RyanRoddy WhiteJulio JonesTyson ClaboBrent GrimesSean WeatherspoonAre all definitely above him in terms of ranking at position in NFL.I'd also say Asante but I know Asante isn't on the list. Personally I'd rank Moore higher for 2012 but I doubt he's on the list. TG is probably on the list, but I'd disagree with him above Turner. So if he's the 7th best player on our team (4x7=28) and its a top 25 list for our division......yes that is about correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No More Excuses 4 Failure Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I agree because even though Tolbert is more versatile than Turner, he is not the workhorse Turner is.None of them are durable like turner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonOfThemBirds Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 None of them are durable like turner.I know, Turner has played many games despite injuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blizzard_falcon Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 (edited) 23 is about right. Like someone said above, it comes out to about 6 players a team.Matt RyanRoddy WhiteJulio JonesTyson ClaboBrent GrimesSean WeatherspoonAre all definitely above him in terms of ranking at position in NFL.I'd also say Asante but I know Asante isn't on the list. Personally I'd rank Moore higher for 2012 but I doubt he's on the list. TG is probably on the list, but I'd disagree with him above Turner. So if he's the 7th best player on our team (4x7=28) and its a top 25 list for our division......yes that is about correct.I agree with this.I'm going to wait until I see Pat's entire list before I rush to judgment/criticism. I'm expecting to see 5-7 Falcons on it in total, and that sounds about right for Turner.Heck, I'd personally put him below Gonzalez, White, Jones, Abraham and Weatherspoon... and maybe Ryan, Samuel, and Grimes as well. All those players are arguably in consideration for Top 10 (or even Top 5) in their position going into 2012, and I'm not sure Turner is going to be in Top 10 consideration this season if Quizz and Snelling actually get a lot more involved. Edited June 20, 2012 by virginiafalcon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandiegofalcon Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I was thinking that he meant that as well but he might have thought about Tolbert as the 3rd back.Yes I was referring to Tolbert. He's 26 and I would take him in a heart beat over Turner at 30. I'm in San Diego and see a lot of Tolbert and I like what he brings. Reminds me of when Turner was here. A little bowling ball, so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulitik Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I'm done with lists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcons007 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I'm done with lists.Already? Pats list will take 22 more agonizing days to finish. One player a day for top 25 is ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No More Excuses 4 Failure Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I'm done with lists.That top 100 list seems to have really gotten to you. You'll bounce back though. The feeling of despair will fade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 Already? Pats list will take 22 more agonizing days to finish. One player a day for top 25 is ridiculous.Yep, Pat's really milking it alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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