Falcons running back Michael Turner has heard the critics say that he’s too slow and too old to convert short-yardage downs. He couldn’t disagree more. “Everybody’s going to nitpick,†Turner said Thursday. “We’re a different team this year, obviously, with philosophies and things like that, but I mean we’re 8-1. That’s the bottom line. To get Ws. We’re not worried about it.†Coming off their first loss of the season, Turner and the Falcons were punchless in short-yardage situations last week at New Orleans. The two-time Pro Bowl running back was held to his least productive day in five seasons with Atlanta, running 13 times for 15 yards. But Turner said that the Falcons have done far more right offensively this season than they’ve done wrong. “Sometimes defenses are going to have good schemes against us and be able to get good penetration and things like that,†Turner said. “It’s just something we have to handle and run different types of plays sometimes and just clean it up.†Source: Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Not necessarily true. The Falcons flat out haven't been running the ball nearly as much as they have in the past and Turner needs carries to be effective. He obviously hasn't been getting them. His carries are well below his recent pace but he's on pace for more receptions than he's had in past years. The Falcons are pass first. The good thing that comes out of this for Turner and Atlanta is that if they need to run the ball later in the season, he'll be more rested than usual.
