One Falcon To Watch: Michael Turner

by Dave Choate on Dec 11, 2011 8:01 AM EST in Falcons News

Who else could it be?

For those with short term memory issues, I'll remind you that Turner exploded for 139 yards against the Panthers the last time out, driving the Falcons offense and bludgeoning the Panthers like a human mace. It was awesome.

Though a nagging groin injury has him listed as probable for the weekend, Turner remains an excellent bet to go over 100 yards and pace the Falcons' drives again. No matter how messed up his groin might be, Mike Mularkey will give him the ball 20+ times and count on him to open things up for the passing game, so he'll get his workload. Given the weakness of the Panthers' run defense, this is basically a lock.

The Falcons will attack the line with him all day long, mixing in Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling as needed to trip up the defense or just give Turner a breather. When all's said and done, though, I'm betting he'll be the game's most valuable player for Atlanta.

Who's your pick for the player to watch?

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Julio Jones

he’s due a better game. After that I’d say Harry Douglas will be key and this is stemming from how well the run game is implemented.

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Dec 11, 2011 8:33 AM EST reply actions

DF's Thing to Watch: Play 360 Commercial Breakdown

1) Which team can nod their head in unison with the beat?
2)Team with more star power?
3)Did Jerry Richardson willingly put his hands on a bus steering wheel?
4) Which offensive line scared the children away quicker?

"NLDS or bust" - Bobby Cox

by DopeFalcons on Dec 11, 2011 8:57 AM EST reply actions

i hope

if Turner isnt effective we dont just keep forcing him and get Quizz or Snelling some touches

by Erihury on Dec 11, 2011 8:59 AM EST reply actions

player to watch

weatherSPOON, lets hope he lay da hammer on cam every time he scrabble!

by jgreedy on Dec 11, 2011 9:04 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I HATE it when a QB plays scrabble

lol just messing with ya Greedy. I hope Spoon and everyone else gets a hit of the night style hit on him so Deion will say in the show “Cam Newton, dressing up to play the Falcons, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING???”

Dont cloud the issue with facts!

by muuzilla on Dec 11, 2011 9:52 AM EST up reply actions

second game in a row

against QB’s who happen to be Atlanta natives. hope things go differently this time, and Spoon is a factor too.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Dec 11, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions

Can't watch just one. But here's my list:

by FLA_Falcon on Dec 11, 2011 9:29 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Can't watch just one. But here's my list:

1. Matt Ryan (let’s rebound from a horrible game)
2.) Michael Turner (our workhorse)
3.) Julio Jones
4.) Edwards/Abraham
5.) DR on S. Smith
6.) Spoon on Spam Newton

by FLA_Falcon on Dec 11, 2011 9:32 AM EST via mobile reply actions

In other news:

This is the first full Sunday of pregame and fooootbaaaallllllllll that I’ve had this season. No work for me today and I’m effen excited!

by FLA_Falcon on Dec 11, 2011 9:53 AM EST via mobile reply actions

sam baker

If svitek can’t go

by ocfalcon on Dec 11, 2011 9:54 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Svitek has been upgraded to probable

Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.
Vince Lombardi

by armchair quarterback on Dec 11, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

I just hope ATL

will mix in some Quizz and Snelling, more than in earlier games.

I also want ATL to start getting it together on offense. There aren’t many games left and if improvements can’t be made the playoffs might not be a reality. The CAR D is a perfect opportunity to get the O rolling.

by mwalex on Dec 11, 2011 10:13 AM EST reply actions

Turner usually does very well against this defense...

by mr92687!!! on Dec 11, 2011 10:19 AM EST reply actions

not sam baker

according to NFL.com Svitek is in, I am no longer worried about Matt’s blind side

by grygrvin on Dec 11, 2011 10:19 AM EST reply actions

My Falcons to watch are the OL

Ryan’s been hit somewhere in the neighborhood of 65 times this year, good for 6th worst in the league.

We have only allowed 22 sacks though, so I don’t know what these adjusted sack rates are, but I think our OL is still something of a concern.

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by Caleb Rutherford on Dec 11, 2011 10:38 AM EST reply actions

Games have been lost along the Oline this year, so yeah… good stuff there.

by Caviarhound on Dec 11, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions

I would like to see Snelling run amok

As well as Ja Quizz

by JT131 on Dec 11, 2011 10:39 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Other than NFL Sunday Ticket for life

another Christmas gift I’d like to see is Julio Jones become the beast everyone thought he would be

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!

by the new Bradfather on Dec 11, 2011 11:50 AM EST reply actions

Mike Smith

What adjustments will he make to expliot either side of the ball?

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Dec 11, 2011 12:00 PM EST reply actions

What is this "adjustment" thing you speak of

I take it some form of that devil music!! Well, our staff will have none of that thank you!

by aces666high on Dec 11, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions

Wait wait wait

on espn nfl countdown, they have a montage of Clay Matthews being the predator……..we know who the real predator is

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Dec 11, 2011 12:03 PM EST reply actions

if we come out

struggling against this D its going to be a long game.

by Erihury on Dec 11, 2011 12:22 PM EST reply actions

Fire Our Coordinators!!!!

How many week-ins and outs are we going to watch these numb skulls not adapt or change their schemes according to what other teams do? It’s very frustrating watching this very talented team go in and play these tight games with teams, that honestly, we should be putting away by half time. Mike Mularkey and BVG need to get the boot if they can’t get their acts together. And by the way, does any team in the NFL cover the middle of the field??? I’ve seen just about every defensive team give the middle of the field up for huge plays week-in and week-out, how about a little man-to-man or at least dropping your MLB across the flat so you don’t get scorched!!!

by Mathis81 on Dec 11, 2011 2:32 PM EST reply actions