Micheal Turner (1 Viewer)

[thatguy]

I get that Norwood is the Falcons receiving back and that he is in for most obvious passing situations, but still, you'd think Turner would get a little love in the passing game. I mean, come on... 4 receptions for 11 yards on the season? 6 measly targets? 1 target and 1 reception for 0 yards over the past 6 games? Even Rudi Johnson used to get more love in the passing game than Turner is getting, and Rudi was an abysmal receiver.

Can someone please explain to me why the Falcons seem determined to not involve him in the passing game... Defenses basically know at this point that if he's in the game, and he's not running the ball, he's not getting the ball. That's not really a good thing. A screen here and there, a dump off underneath, an occasional swing pass, all of these things would go a long way toward keeping opposing defenses on their toes a bit more when Turner is on the field.

 

[Mikey16x]

You answered your own question, Norwood...

Edited: Also, on passing downs Turner has shown excellent blocking, so instead of rolling him out... he has proven to be an asset when it comes to giving Matt Ryan more time. But I do think if they gave the guy a couple of screens a game he would be decent, he has shown ability in the open field.

 

[thatguy]

You answered your own question, Norwood...

No, I really didn't. I understand Norwood is the reason we don't see Turner getting 3-5 receptions per game. But he isn't the reason that Turner has only 1 target in the past 6 games.

 

[thatguy]

I just think it's important that any workhorse RB pose a threat, however minimal it might be, to make plays in the passing game. Even Brandon Jacobs, who 1) is not a good receiver, and 2) splits time with not one but two other RB's, has five receptions and ten targets on the season.

I'm tempted to think that the Atlanta coaching staff simply lacks creativity in it's play calling, but with the job they've done bringing Ryan along, it's hard for me to believe this. The fact that Ryan is a rookie makes it even more of a head scratcher, though, because screens and little dump offs are some of the easiest throws to make and can only help a young QB. Which is why I ask, is he just a downright awful receiver?

 

[Dirty Weasel]

You make a very good point. Why take a very "safe" pass out of your playbook when Turner is in the game? There HAS to be a reason. Turner has a mere 22 targets in his career, and he has caught 15 of them for 82 yards. I know it's a vary small sample size, but 68% isn't a terrible percentage for RB's. He has 4 catches on 6 targets this year (67%). Here are some other RB's with a lower catch rate this year: Jerious Norwood

Hmmm?????

 

[loose circuits]

I just think it's important that any workhorse RB pose a threat, however minimal it might be, to make plays in the passing game. Even Brandon Jacobs, who 1) is not a good receiver, and 2) splits time with not one but two other RB's, has five receptions and ten targets on the season.I'm tempted to think that the Atlanta coaching staff simply lacks creativity in it's play calling, but with the job they've done bringing Ryan along, it's hard for me to believe this. The fact that Ryan is a rookie makes it even more of a head scratcher, though, because screens and little dump offs are some of the easiest throws to make and can only help a young QB. Which is why I ask, is he just a downright awful receiver?

Jacobs' receiving ability is very underrated IMO. I have only seen him drop 1 ball as far as I remember.Don't you think that Atlanta coaches know their personnel? Turner only had 11 catches in 4 seasons prior to arriving, so all signs point to him having stone hands...

 

[thatguy]

I just think it's important that any workhorse RB pose a threat, however minimal it might be, to make plays in the passing game. Even Brandon Jacobs, who 1) is not a good receiver, and 2) splits time with not one but two other RB's, has five receptions and ten targets on the season.I'm tempted to think that the Atlanta coaching staff simply lacks creativity in it's play calling, but with the job they've done bringing Ryan along, it's hard for me to believe this. The fact that Ryan is a rookie makes it even more of a head scratcher, though, because screens and little dump offs are some of the easiest throws to make and can only help a young QB. Which is why I ask, is he just a downright awful receiver?

Jacobs' receiving ability is very underrated IMO. I have only seen him drop 1 ball as far as I remember.Don't you think that Atlanta coaches know their personnel? Turner only had 11 catches in 4 seasons prior to arriving, so all signs point to him having stone hands...

Obviously they know their personnel. And I've already given them the benefit of the doubt in this thread given the job they have done bringing Ryan along. But I can't help but wonder if perhaps their offensive approach lacks some imagination.His lack of usage in the passing game leads one to believe that Turner must be a horrible receiver - or at least that his coaches have no faith whatsoever in his receiving ability - that's kind of the premise of the thread. I'm just wondering if there are people who can confirm that he is in fact an awful ball catcher, or if maybe there is another reason for his lack of involvement in the passing game. As another poster said, he has caught 15 of the 22 balls thrown his way in his career, which suggest he doesn't have stone hands. Again, even if his receiving skills are sub-par, I still believe he should be utilized more in the passing game. It's not hard to catch a short pass on a screen play.

 

[teamroc]

Jacobs' receiving ability is very underrated IMO. I have only seen him drop 1 ball as far as I remember.Don't you think that Atlanta coaches know their personnel? Turner only had 11 catches in 4 seasons prior to arriving, so all signs point to him having stone hands...

Wow. You need to watch Jacobs more. He has hands of stone. I remember a game last year he literally dropped 5-6 passes. It was horrific. And yes, Turner is the new Rudi. PPR really hurts Turner.

 

[sterjs]

Turner has never done anything as a receiver--not with Northern Illinois, not with San Diego and not with Atlanta. He is what he is at this point.

 

[Deepster]

Turner has never done anything as a receiver--not with Northern Illinois, not with San Diego and not with Atlanta. He is what he is at this point.

I don't think the original post is hoping he'd become a "receiver" style back at all. But he (and I) don't get why he has only 4 catches on the year and, in fact, why he's never had more than 4 in a year while in the NFL. Ron Dayne was a horrific receiver out of the backfield and he still had 11-17 catches in a few seasons.

 

[PatrickT]

I'll try to watch a little more closely today but, if I had to hazard a guess, I'd say it's all about blocking. Our oline is not great but we haven't given up many sacks. It's the same reason we don't give much action to TEs, we need them to block.

I don't think we can say Turner has good or bad hands at this point given that he hasn't had the opportunity and that there's a possible alternate explanation. but, again, I'll try to focus on that today.

Anyone know Mularkey's tendencies in this area?

 

[thatguy]

Turner has never done anything as a receiver--not with Northern Illinois, not with San Diego and not with Atlanta. He is what he is at this point.

I don't think the original post is hoping he'd become a "receiver" style back at all. But he (and I) don't get why he has only 4 catches on the year and, in fact, why he's never had more than 4 in a year while in the NFL. Ron Dayne was a horrific receiver out of the backfield and he still had 11-17 catches in a few seasons.

Exactly.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Maybe it's because he's leading the NFL in carries and they think that is enough touches.