NFC South: Falcons-Cowboys 102509
Whatever happened to Michael Turner?
October, 25, 2009
10/25/09
10:00
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
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| Tim Heitman/US Presswire | |
| The running game of the Falcons -- and the production of running back Michael Turner -- is down significantly, which may pose larger problems for Atlanta. |
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Since right about the time he toted the ball for the 376th time last season, it has been fair to ask if perhaps the Atlanta Falcons wore out Michael Turner.
The question no longer is just fair. It’s necessary. The man who carried the Falcons to the playoffs last season hasn’t gone much of anywhere this season. After running for 1,699 yards last year, the days of triple-digit rushing yards have dried up. Turner has hit the 100-yard mark only once this season, and that was back in Week 2 against a Carolina team that essentially was playing without defensive tackles.
So is Turner facing the same fate as all those other running backs who went into big declines after carrying 325 or 350 times in a season? Let’s go straight to the best source.
“I’m still healthy,’’ Turner said after a 37-21 loss to Dallas on Sunday. “It’s not a health issue. I still feel fine.’’
But Turner and the running game haven’t been looking fine and what happened against Dallas may have demonstrated there’s a problem that’s getting worse instead of better. Turner carried 18 times for 50 yards. That’s a 2.8 average, which would translate into a 0.8 if this were a grade-point average.
“Concerned? I don’t know that I’d use that word,’’ Turner said. “But it is something we need to get better at.’’
Apologies to Turner, and I fully realize the Falcons were without injured fullback Ovie Mughelli and backup running back Jerious Norwood, but I will use the word concerned. The Falcons should be extremely concerned about their top running back and their running game in general.
Not even the seven carries for 68 yards by backup Jason Snelling were enough to give the Falcons anything close to a passing grade on the ground, and we’ll touch on the passing too, because it wasn’t very good. Matt Ryan was 19 of 35 for 198 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Uncharacteristically, he made bad decisions and, just as uncharacteristically, he got poor protection.
But I’m going to go ahead and place the blame for Atlanta’s offensive struggles on the running game. It’s supposed to be the core character of the offense and it hasn’t been close to that all season. The lack of productivity in the running game is throwing everything out of whack. When Turner’s not running clock, that means a defense that really isn’t all that talented has to spend a lot more time on the field and that’s a problem.
Worse yet, what happened with Turner and the running game wasn’t just a blip. It’s a growing and very disturbing trend. Even in last week’s win against Chicago, Turner carried 13 times for 30 yards. Glance back at the opener against Miami, where he carried 22 times for 65 yards or the Week 3 loss to New England, where he gained 56 yards on 15 carries.
“We’re not running the ball nearly as effectively as last year,’’ coach Mike Smith said. “It’s something we’ve been working on and will continue to work on.’’
Rapid Reaction: Cowboys 37, Falcons 21
October, 25, 2009
10/25/09
7:27
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Just when I thought the Atlanta Falcons were a very good football team, they showed they are not.
They got beat -- and I mean beat -- in every facet of the game by Dallas, a team that I don’t think is good at all. Matt Ryan made bad decisions, Michael Turner couldn’t run, the defense couldn’t stop anyone and even the normally-reliable special teams were bad.
I don’t think this is the way the Falcons want to head into next Monday night’s game against the Saints. That had been shaping up as a huge NFC South showdown. Now, it’s becoming just a game -- a game the Falcons might have to win to have any shot at winning the NFC South.
I’m heading down to the locker room for post-game interviews. Will be back in an hour or so.
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Just when I thought the Atlanta Falcons were a very good football team, they showed they are not.
They got beat -- and I mean beat -- in every facet of the game by Dallas, a team that I don’t think is good at all. Matt Ryan made bad decisions, Michael Turner couldn’t run, the defense couldn’t stop anyone and even the normally-reliable special teams were bad.
I don’t think this is the way the Falcons want to head into next Monday night’s game against the Saints. That had been shaping up as a huge NFC South showdown. Now, it’s becoming just a game -- a game the Falcons might have to win to have any shot at winning the NFC South.
I’m heading down to the locker room for post-game interviews. Will be back in an hour or so.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
ARLINGTON, Texas – Apparently, someone forgot to tell the Atlanta Falcons they had a shot to become the NFC South’s best team.
With New Orleans losing in Miami, the Falcons had a chance to come out and make a pretty strong statement against a Dallas team that’s been struggling. The Falcons came out and put a nice early touchdown drive together, but they haven’t done anything since.
Their offense has gone stagnant and their defense just gave up another touchdown to Dallas right before the half. Dallas is leading 17-7.
This one’s far from over, but the Falcons have to play a lot better in the second half if they want a share of first place in the NFC South.
ARLINGTON, Texas – Apparently, someone forgot to tell the Atlanta Falcons they had a shot to become the NFC South’s best team.
With New Orleans losing in Miami, the Falcons had a chance to come out and make a pretty strong statement against a Dallas team that’s been struggling. The Falcons came out and put a nice early touchdown drive together, but they haven’t done anything since.
Their offense has gone stagnant and their defense just gave up another touchdown to Dallas right before the half. Dallas is leading 17-7.
This one’s far from over, but the Falcons have to play a lot better in the second half if they want a share of first place in the NFC South.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
ARLINGTON, Texas -- I just took a walk by the televisions in the back of the press box and paused for a moment because Carolina and New Orleans were both lining up to attempt field goals.
Not sure if this is an omen or what, but one television was on top of the other. Within one second of John Kasay’s attempt being waved no good, the referees in Miami did the same thing on John Carney’s attempt. The Panthers and Saints continue to trail.
AFC East colleague Tim Graham has a post on Drew Brees' struggles. And we already knew the Bucs lost.
Here in Cowboys Stadium Dallas has a 10-7 lead and is moving the ball with just under two minutes left in the first half.
ARLINGTON, Texas -- I just took a walk by the televisions in the back of the press box and paused for a moment because Carolina and New Orleans were both lining up to attempt field goals.
Not sure if this is an omen or what, but one television was on top of the other. Within one second of John Kasay’s attempt being waved no good, the referees in Miami did the same thing on John Carney’s attempt. The Panthers and Saints continue to trail.
AFC East colleague Tim Graham has a post on Drew Brees' struggles. And we already knew the Bucs lost.
Here in Cowboys Stadium Dallas has a 10-7 lead and is moving the ball with just under two minutes left in the first half.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
ARLINGTON, Texas -- I just got the official list of inactives for the Falcons and it’s what we expected.
Running back Jerious Norwood and fullback Ovie Mughelli are out. The other inactives are safety William Moore, safety Antoine Harris, tackle Garrett Reynolds, guard Quinn Ojinnaka and defensive tackle Vance Walker. John Parker Wilson is the third quarterback.
ARLINGTON, Texas -- I just got the official list of inactives for the Falcons and it’s what we expected.
Running back Jerious Norwood and fullback Ovie Mughelli are out. The other inactives are safety William Moore, safety Antoine Harris, tackle Garrett Reynolds, guard Quinn Ojinnaka and defensive tackle Vance Walker. John Parker Wilson is the third quarterback.
Source: Norwood, Mughelli out for Falcons
October, 25, 2009
10/25/09
2:12
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
ARLINGTON, Texas -- This won’t be official until 90 minutes before kickoff, but a source just told me injured Atlanta running back Jerious Norwood and fullback Ovie Mughelli will be inactive against the Cowboys today.
That means get ready to see a lot of Jason Snelling. He’ll swing between running back and fullback and be the top backup to Michael Turner and Verron Haynes. Turner was limited some in practice by a chest injury, so that could mean a lot of carries for Snelling.
ARLINGTON, Texas -- This won’t be official until 90 minutes before kickoff, but a source just told me injured Atlanta running back Jerious Norwood and fullback Ovie Mughelli will be inactive against the Cowboys today.
That means get ready to see a lot of Jason Snelling. He’ll swing between running back and fullback and be the top backup to Michael Turner and Verron Haynes. Turner was limited some in practice by a chest injury, so that could mean a lot of carries for Snelling.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
ARLINGTON, Texas -- I just arrived at Cowboys Stadium.
The reviews have been done by many before me. So, I’ll just say "wow." It’s everything you’ve heard.
I just got a press box employee to put a television on the game between the Bucs and Patriots, and I’m the only one here watching that game.
Give me a few more minutes to get settled in and I’ll jump over to NFL Nation Live and provide some observations on the Bucs.
ARLINGTON, Texas -- I just arrived at Cowboys Stadium.
The reviews have been done by many before me. So, I’ll just say "wow." It’s everything you’ve heard.
I just got a press box employee to put a television on the game between the Bucs and Patriots, and I’m the only one here watching that game.
Give me a few more minutes to get settled in and I’ll jump over to NFL Nation Live and provide some observations on the Bucs.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
FORT WORTH, Texas – I’m getting ready to leave my hotel to head over to the Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington.
I’m leaving much earlier than usual because this is my first trip to the new stadium and I want to give myself plenty of time to get settled in before covering the game between Atlanta and Dallas. I’ll also be monitoring the early game between Tampa Bay and New England in London and checking in with some observations.
The Saints will be playing the Dolphins and the Panthers are hosting the Bills at the same time the Falcons and Cowboys play. Obviously, my main focus will be on the Falcons and Cowboys, but I’ll be checking in with observations on all the games involving the NFC South.
I’ll be back in touch as soon as I get set up in the stadium.
FORT WORTH, Texas – I’m getting ready to leave my hotel to head over to the Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington.
I’m leaving much earlier than usual because this is my first trip to the new stadium and I want to give myself plenty of time to get settled in before covering the game between Atlanta and Dallas. I’ll also be monitoring the early game between Tampa Bay and New England in London and checking in with some observations.
The Saints will be playing the Dolphins and the Panthers are hosting the Bills at the same time the Falcons and Cowboys play. Obviously, my main focus will be on the Falcons and Cowboys, but I’ll be checking in with observations on all the games involving the NFC South.
I’ll be back in touch as soon as I get set up in the stadium.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Pat Yasinskas
Yasinskas joined ESPN.com in January 2008 after covering the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer for nine seasons. He began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990.
