It's Not Time To Panic About The Falcons Ground Game

You won't hear Dirk Koetter panic over the fact that Michael Turner has barely been able to move the chains. There's a good reason for that.

I thought this would be a good time to remind everyone that this is pre-season, Turner is getting a handful of carries per game and the offensive line is still very much a work in progress. This isn't exactly the optimum showcase for the big back, and the coaching staff may well be doing everything in their power to keep him healthy and avoid wearing any tread off the ol' tires.

I've sounded the alarm about Turner's age and wear and tear in the past, but it's way too early to stick a fork in the big guy. It's pre-season, after all. We know the Burner's carries and yardage are likely to fall as the Falcons transition to a more pass-friendly offense, but I doubt we'll be sitting here a year from now stunned at how awful Turner was.

If Michael Turner truly did plunge down a bottomless chasm, it's worth remembering that Mike Smith and Dirk Koetter seems quite enamored with Jacquizz Rodgers. It's not like the Falcons' ground game would suddenly fall entirely to pieces, which is a nice change of pace.

So I don't think we need to worry that much. Give us your take.