Michael Turner Flying High

The 2007 Atlanta Falcons running game was lacking, to say the least. Warrick Dunn was in-effective at best, and seemed to be wearing down quite quickly as the season wore on. Jerious Norwood, one of the better unknown backs around, was stuck behind Dunn, and was used sparingly, clearly to the teams’ detriment.

But 2008 has been a turnaround of epic proportions. First of all they off loaded Dunn, a required move by all accounts. Then they picked up Michael Turner from Free Agency, for a big money contract that many criticized at the time. Clearly Atlanta knew what it was doing.

Michael Turner broke the Franchises single game rushing record in his first game, with a 220 yard, 10 yard per carry game. Clearly his contract was not a mistake, and Clearly Atlanta had some foresight into the matter. But it hasn’t all been easy going for Michael Turner and the Running Game. A 42 yard, 3 yard per carry, game against Tampa Bay in week two. A 54 yard, 2.2 yard per carry game, against Chicago in week six. Michael Turner isn’t a guarantee of success to the Falcons. Matt Ryan’s stellar rookie season, and Roddy White’s realization of his potential have all helped Turner stack up 597 rushing yards through six games. But, while Michael Turner isn’t crashing for two hundred yards every game, as the season wears on, and teams have to start showing Matt Ryan more respect, one hundred plus yarders will start to show with more frequency.

The O-Line has also come into effect, allowing only seven sacks in six games, and having faced some proper defences in Chicago and Carolina. They have also been effective in the re-vamping of the running game, allowing Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood to stay above a 3 yard average. With Norwood at an impressive 6.7 yards per carry, on 41 attempts, and Turner 4.7 on 128.

Michael Turner is being used with devastating efficiency by first year head coach Mike Smith, which has opened up the air for Matt Ryan and Roddy White. But the overall running game is lacking one integral piece to make it a truly Elite unit. Jerious Norwood in my opinion is the best compliment to Michael Turner that the Falcons could want. But, he does come with limitations. He is not a down the middle kind of back. Jerious Norwood is 5-11, and 202 pounds. He needs space to move and use his speed and agility. Yet, while this has happened on the majority of his carries, there have been several situations where sending Norwood straight down the middle is really not the best idea, because he really doesn’t get the opportunity to use is physical skills. But Mike Smith does seem to know what he’s doing, so the benefit of the doubt is in order. As long as Norwood doesn’t get injured, and mess up the balance Atlanta’s got going.

But, one aspect of the new and improved Falcons running game that has been overlooked is the freedom given by Arthur Blank. Signing Michael Turner to such an enormous contract and allowing Mike Smith to do what he will with the team shows his dedication to the Falcons, and his commitment to winning.

Michael Turner hasn’t had any spectacular problems. And in all but one game, Turner and Norwood have combined for at least one hundred yards. All in all, the Falcons running game has improved by leaps and bounds, and, barring injury, is only going to keep improving for the Falcons.