Michael Turner for MVP

No one has made a splash this year quite like Falcons' running back Michael Turner. The 5'10", 244 pound gritty running back, who until now has been known as LaDanian Tomlison’s backup in San Diego, has been a huge boost for the 9-5 Falcons.

The club would not be knocking on the door of the postseason without Turner’s punishing runs.

Many say that the 26-year old Turner would be on the outside looking in on Drew Brees and Kurt Warner, but they have dialed it down the past few weeks.

Does that mean Turner jumped in to the top two or three spot for MVP?

He has the build and power of a Jerome "The Bus" Bettis. But, he has the surprising breakaway speed of Tomlinson or Jeriuos Norwood with a 4.51 40 time (Tomlinson had a 4.38.) He is by all means an all around back.

Oh Wait!! What about receiving??? Turner has only six catches this year, which is the area most likely to hurt him for the MVP race.

But, can you blame him? You have the NFC's receiving leader in Roddy White on the field with you, so how many receptions are you going to get?

His 1,421 rushing yards is good for second in the NFL behind Adrian Peterson.

Turner leads the NFL and set a franchise record with 15 rushing touchdowns this year.

He is averaging over 100 yards per game, on pace to run for over 1,600 yards in his first year as the No. 1 guy in town, after backing up Tomlinson for four years in San Diego.

Everyone knew he had talent, but no one knew he was capable of this.

So why not Turner?

MVP means MOST VALUABLE PLAYER (not the best player).  And, who has been more valuable than Turner?

Where would the Falcons be if rookie quarterback Matt Ryan had to throw the ball 45 times a game? If all the pressure was on the No. 3 overall pick and Ryan couldn't get a rest and just hand it off, would he know he's getting something?

You can't argue that he has had one of the best statistical years of anyone this year, beating his former teammate, Tomlinson, in every major rushing category. He is also beating Peterson in all major categories except yards and yards per game.

He also has been a locker room force, changing the attitude of this team from we can't do it to a team looking to make it deep into the playoffs.

It has been quite a turnaround for the once morbid Falcons franchise.  In a season where many so-called experts have said was lost due to the Michael Vick dog fighting saga, Turner has been a solid surprise and the main reason for the Falcons’ success.

Let the voting begin.