Turner the Burner a Falcon
perkdog
Posts: 30,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
in Sports Talk
Signing Turner fills big need for Falcons, opens other options
March 2, 2008
By Clark Judge
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
Tell Clark your opinion!
I don't know much about Atlanta coach Mike Smith or GM Tom Dimitroff, but I do know a good move when I see it -- and landing free-agent running back Michael Turner is a good move.
Michael Turner has speed, power and can break tackles. (Getty Images)
First of all, Turner is the best back on the free-agent market. Second, his acquisition gives the Falcons the freedom to take quarterback Matt Ryan or tackle Jake Long with the third pick of the draft.
Sure, they could've done that anyway, but then they would have had to find a 230-pound back who can move the pile. The position is deep in this year's draft, and there will be opportunities in the second and third rounds. But why wait when you have someone like Turner available?
The guy is only 26. He spent most of his four years in San Diego as LaDainian Tomlinson's backup, so there's little wear on his body. And he's productive, averaging over 5.5 yards a carry in his career with the Bolts.
Remember San Diego's upset of Indianapolis to end the Colts' unbeaten season at 13 in 2005? Yep, it was Turner who clinched the deal with a 83-yard dash through the Colts defense.
He has speed. He has power. He can break tackles. He can turn a corner. What's not to like?
Precisely my question.
Of course, his addition probably signals the end of Warrick Dunn's career with the Falcons, and it should. At 33, Dunn is at or near the finish, and you don't want highly paid, declining veterans populating the roster of a bottom feeder.
The Falcons need to get better with youth and speed, and Turner has both. Dunn did at one time, but those days are gone. And soon Dunn will be, too. A class act, he served Atlanta well, but it's time for him to move on to a team that could use someone of his talents as a specialist to push it over the top.
Once, Dunn was part of the league's best rushing attack, and the Falcons were playoff regulars. In fact, they were within a victory of reaching the Super Bowl in 2004, Jim Mora's first season with the club, and it was no coincidence that they ranked No. 1 in the league in rushing.
A year ago they were nowhere close. Of course, they were nowhere close to the top in any offensive category. They ranked 26th in rushing, 23rd in total offense and 29th in points.
Something needed to be done, and acquiring Turner is a first step. He should team nicely with Jerious Norwood to give the Falcons a respectable rushing attack again, and that can only be a bonus to Ryan, Chris Redman or whoever quarterbacks Atlanta.
Me? I'm taking Ryan because he's the best quarterback in the draft and because the Falcons need to make a change there. Of course, they could also use someone like Long, the best tackle in this year's draft, but Ryan looks like someone who can step in and play immediately.
I like that. Mostly, I like the freedom Atlanta has now. It reminds me of what New Orleans did in 2006 when the Saints took a chance on quarterback Drew Brees. The assumption was that, with the second overall pick, the Saints would draft Matt Leinart or Vince Young, then look for help.
Instead they found their franchise quarterback through free agency, which, in turn, allowed them to draft Reggie Bush.
I don't care what you think of Bush. He was considered the best player in that draft, and the Saints had the latitude to take him because they solved their most urgent need with the signing of Brees.
Same thing goes here. The Falcons took care of one hot spot. Now they can start addressing others through the draft.
That's what I call a good move.
March 2, 2008
By Clark Judge
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
Tell Clark your opinion!
I don't know much about Atlanta coach Mike Smith or GM Tom Dimitroff, but I do know a good move when I see it -- and landing free-agent running back Michael Turner is a good move.
Michael Turner has speed, power and can break tackles. (Getty Images)
First of all, Turner is the best back on the free-agent market. Second, his acquisition gives the Falcons the freedom to take quarterback Matt Ryan or tackle Jake Long with the third pick of the draft.
Sure, they could've done that anyway, but then they would have had to find a 230-pound back who can move the pile. The position is deep in this year's draft, and there will be opportunities in the second and third rounds. But why wait when you have someone like Turner available?
The guy is only 26. He spent most of his four years in San Diego as LaDainian Tomlinson's backup, so there's little wear on his body. And he's productive, averaging over 5.5 yards a carry in his career with the Bolts.
Remember San Diego's upset of Indianapolis to end the Colts' unbeaten season at 13 in 2005? Yep, it was Turner who clinched the deal with a 83-yard dash through the Colts defense.
He has speed. He has power. He can break tackles. He can turn a corner. What's not to like?
Precisely my question.
Of course, his addition probably signals the end of Warrick Dunn's career with the Falcons, and it should. At 33, Dunn is at or near the finish, and you don't want highly paid, declining veterans populating the roster of a bottom feeder.
The Falcons need to get better with youth and speed, and Turner has both. Dunn did at one time, but those days are gone. And soon Dunn will be, too. A class act, he served Atlanta well, but it's time for him to move on to a team that could use someone of his talents as a specialist to push it over the top.
Once, Dunn was part of the league's best rushing attack, and the Falcons were playoff regulars. In fact, they were within a victory of reaching the Super Bowl in 2004, Jim Mora's first season with the club, and it was no coincidence that they ranked No. 1 in the league in rushing.
A year ago they were nowhere close. Of course, they were nowhere close to the top in any offensive category. They ranked 26th in rushing, 23rd in total offense and 29th in points.
Something needed to be done, and acquiring Turner is a first step. He should team nicely with Jerious Norwood to give the Falcons a respectable rushing attack again, and that can only be a bonus to Ryan, Chris Redman or whoever quarterbacks Atlanta.
Me? I'm taking Ryan because he's the best quarterback in the draft and because the Falcons need to make a change there. Of course, they could also use someone like Long, the best tackle in this year's draft, but Ryan looks like someone who can step in and play immediately.
I like that. Mostly, I like the freedom Atlanta has now. It reminds me of what New Orleans did in 2006 when the Saints took a chance on quarterback Drew Brees. The assumption was that, with the second overall pick, the Saints would draft Matt Leinart or Vince Young, then look for help.
Instead they found their franchise quarterback through free agency, which, in turn, allowed them to draft Reggie Bush.
I don't care what you think of Bush. He was considered the best player in that draft, and the Saints had the latitude to take him because they solved their most urgent need with the signing of Brees.
Same thing goes here. The Falcons took care of one hot spot. Now they can start addressing others through the draft.
That's what I call a good move.
0
Comments