Michael Turner News: Pro Sports Daily

Falcons' charmed existence ends, problems start with Turner

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October 26

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

columnist Jeff Schultz

"After a performance that saw them commit three turnovers, allow four sacks, have their running back again look like he was trying to move with bricks tied to his ankles, allow a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown and generally get slam-danced Sunday by a Dallas team that struggled to defeat Kansas City, we can safely say this about the Falcons: They're probably not this bad. But do you know what they have been? Fortunate. After weeks of tiptoeing over hot coals with a scrambled secondary, they finally watched an opponent turn yards into touchdowns. After weeks of skating on offense despite mediocre performances from a sluggish-looking Michael Turner, having only half of a well-functioning ..."

Michael Turner thinks he has turned corner

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October 14

Chicago Tribune

"This year, for the first time, Michael Turner isn't going to catch anyone by surprise. He is no longer a fifth-round question mark out of Northern Illinois. Or a player who hasn't done much except carry LaDainian Tomlinson's bags. Now, Turner is an established powerhouse for the Falcons, a Pro Bowler who ran for more yards last season than any player except the Vikings' Adrian Peterson and scored more points than any non-kicker except the Panthers' DeAngelo Williams. Now, Turner is a star. So just as Turner no longer can sneak into a shopping mall, he no longer can sneak past the line of scrimmage. Defenses have been set up to stop him, and as a result he got off to a slow start. After ..."

Unheralded defense unit stifles Falcons offense

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September 28

Boston Herald

"Forget the fact that the Patriots [team stats] entered the game with the third-ranked defense in the NFL. We can all pretty much agree that rating was misleading. Let's face it: With Atlanta and its high-powered offense coming to Gillette Stadium yesterday, the matchup against the Patriots defense made you cringe, didn't it? Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, Michael Jenkins. This was easily the best offense the Patriots had faced in three games, and stopping it seemed like a tall order for the injury/trade/retirement-depleted defense. This had mismatch written all over it. For starters, it didn't look like the Pats had anyone with the right body type or credentials to ..."

Panthers must contain Turner

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September 18

Charlotte Observer

"The last time the Carolina Panthers saw Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner, he ran over them for 117 yards and four touchdowns. That came in a 45-28 victory by the Falcons against the Panthers in the Georgia Dome last November, somewhat of a typical game for Turner in what was a breakout season for him. "He's a good back," said Panthers defensive tackle Damione Lewis. "He really fits with their offensive line and gets downhill. It will be a collective effort for us, because we'll need to gang tackle (him). "He breaks a lot of first tackles so we, as a group, have to get him." Last season was Turner's first in Atlanta after playing four seasons in San Diego as a backup to LaDainian ..."

All the talk of Michael Turner's exploits only inspires Miami Dolphins' Channing Crowder & Co.

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September 12

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Michael Turner, the Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl running back, is Mr. YAC. Yards After Contact. Turner led the NFL in that category (913 yards) as well as broken tackles last season. From the sounds of it, Channing Crowder and his friends on the Dolphins' defense have heard enough about those tidy little factoids to make them want to, you know, yack. Not just from the media. From a Dolphins coaching staff eager to whip them into a frenzy. "It's inspirational," says Crowder. "We're in defensive meetings, all together, and it's all about how great a running back [Turner] is and how one guy can't take him down and we've got to get to the ball." Crowder shakes his head. His eyes bulge. "You're ..."

Turner, Abraham named All-Pro

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January 10

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"The awards continue to pile up for the Falcons. Running back Michael Turner and defensive end John Abraham were named to the Associated Press 2008 NFL All-Pro teams announced Friday. Turner, who rushed for 1,699 yards and a team-record 17 rushing touchdowns during the regular season, was named to the first team. Abraham, who set the franchise record for most sacks in a season with 16.5, was named to the second team. The All-Pro teams consist of the best players in the league from both conferences as voted on by a panel of 50 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NFL. Baltimore safety Ed Reed was the only unanimous selection. Falcons coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas ..."

Defense holds Turner in check

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January 4

East Valley Tribune

"The Cardinals didn't have to lose sleep figuring out a defensive game plan. Facing a running back a nose short of 1,700 yards, they focused on containing Michael Turner. They succeeded, holding the guy who got some MVP votes to just 42 yards on 18 carries; as a team, the Falcons ran for just 60 yards on 24 carries. "You got a 1,700-yard rusher," safety Adrian Wilson said. "They were going to lean on him heavy. "We knew we needed to be disciplined, physical and penetrate the gaps. ... We did a great job." Coach Ken Whisenhunt said, "Today you saw a defense that was focused and disciplined." Not only did the Cardinals fill the correct gaps, they had one of their best tackling games this ..."

Turner gets his revenge vs. Panthers with four TD runs

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November 24

Gaston Gazette

"Michael Turner was a non-factor in his first meeting with the Carolina Panthers. He made up for it on Sunday. Turner, who was held to 56 yards in the first meeting in Charlotte, ran for a career-best four touchdowns and had 117 yards to lead Atlanta's running game. "This is a guy we played before and we shut him down," said defensive tackle Damione Lewis. "And then we come to their place and we knew we were walking into a wasp's nest, we knew they were going to try to stick it to us -- and we didn't respond. He had a great day. "I mean, they're a good team, playoff team. We cannot come out and play the way we did and not expect to have what happened happen." Since the bye, the Panthers ..."

Turner, Falcons slam door on Panthers

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November 24

Charlotte Observer

"The Carolina Panthers didn't start or finish well in a stinging 45-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons Sunday at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons built a 17-0 lead before Carolina picked up a first down. After the Panthers fought back to make it a close game, Atlanta scored 28 points in the fourth quarter against a Carolina defense that entered the game ranked second in the NFL for fewest points allowed. The Falcons' 45 points are the most scored against Carolina in John Fox's seven years as coach. Atlanta running back Michael Turner ran for four touchdowns, the most any player has scored against the Panthers in a game in the team's 14-year history. Carolina's proud defense couldn't stop Turner ..."

Turner wins game of brag football

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October 13

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Bears keyed on Michael Turner, holding the NFL's leading rusher to 54 yards on 25 carries. But thanks to the Atlanta Falcons' last-second victory Sunday, the former North Chicago High School and Northern Illinois standout won't have to worry about being the target of trash talking back home. ''I can go home,'' Turner said. ''I don't know how many yards I had, and I don't care. We won, so I have the bragging rights.'' Turner said more than 40 family members and friends made the trip for the game at the Georgia Dome, and he knew many more were watching on TV back home. He wanted to put on a show, but instead it was his surprising team that did with a dramatic 22-20 victory on Jason ..."

Falcons' Turner tower of power

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October 9

Chicago Sun-Times

"If there was one common theme to the struggles of the Bears' defense a year ago, it was poor tackling, a problem that has been wiped out this season. The Bears will get a tough test Sunday at Atlanta from Michael Turner, the Waukegan native who leads the league in rushing with 543 yards and has six touchdowns. Catching a piece of the 244-pound Turner isn't a pleasant experience for would-be tacklers, and you can expect to see a lot of strong safety Kevin Payne in the box. Turner has the rare ability to run around tackles with speed or run straight through them. ''He gives us problems,'' cornerback Nathan Vasher said. ''He gives everybody matchup problems with the things he's able to do, so ..."

Former Northern Illinois star Michael Turner rushing to heights as Atlanta Falcons' main man

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October 8

Chicago Tribune

columnist Dan Pompei

"The only school to offer him a scholarship was Northern Illinois. He wasn't drafted until the fifth round, after 153 others were taken ahead of him. When he became a free agent earlier this year, only one team made a hard push for him. And now, five weeks into his first NFL season as a starter, Michael Turner is leading the league in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and rushing first downs. He is as responsible as anyone for the Atlanta Falcons' surprising 3-2 record. Turner grew up in North Chicago with a poster on his bedroom wall of the Black and Bruise Brothers—the 1985 Bears offensive line wearing sunglasses and black fedoras. At Northern Illinois, he finished second in the nation in ..."

Turner will put Bears' 'D' to test

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October 6

Chicago Sun-Times

"Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, the No. 3 pick in the April draft, had a breakthrough game in a 27-24 victory Sunday at Green Bay. Ryan has played well at home, producing a 127.5 passer rating in victories over woeful Detroit and Kansas City, but he had struggled on the road. At Green Bay, he hit on 16 of 26 passes for 194 yards with two touchdowns. Ryan has developed great chemistry with WR Roddy White, who had eight catches for 132 yards and a TD. The key to the Atlanta offense is running back Michael ''The Burner'' Turner, a Northern Illinois product signed as a free agent. He has allowed the Falcons to limit Ryan's mistakes and run the football. Aided by an improved defense and special ..."