A Troubling Statistical Trend

[Penumbra]

A definite upgrade. We need that physical presence bigtime.

[cooperbh]

(01-22-2011 12:14 AM)Radical Wrote:  No one is "settling" for losing, but ripping off my shirt and DEMANDING SUCCESS OR ELSE while rubbing mayo on my nipples isn't going to lead to anything.

Not anything football related, anyway.

[cooperbh]

(01-22-2011 12:11 AM)kane#7 Wrote:  As my Sig shows I want Noel Devine... he won't take the punishment like you say

But I believe a Combo of Turner, Snelling and Devine we will be good... I don't want Turner to lead the league in carries next year I want a three headed monster..

Assuming that a 170 pound RB wouldn't shatter into a million pieces upon taking his first NFL hit, that backfield would be more like a two-headed monster with an extra arm or something. If Snelling were a viable commitee partner, I think he would have been used in that role by now.

[kane#7]

(01-22-2011 02:39 AM)cooperbh Wrote:  Assuming that a 170 pound RB wouldn't shatter into a million pieces upon taking his first NFL hit, that backfield would be more like a two-headed monster with an extra arm or something. If Snelling were a viable commitee partner, I think he would have been used in that role by now.

Well he would be a great receiving back and play like Sproles

[Nuccah]

I don't think it has as much to do with our OL as everyone is assuming.

Turner has lost a step since 2008. He also hasn't been as reckless, focusing more on holding onto the football with both hands. We've all seen that same thing.

The holes have been there. Turner just hasn't had the same speed to reach them than he had in 08 IMO.

[Radical]

(01-22-2011 07:21 AM)Nuccah Wrote:  I don't think it has as much to do with our OL as everyone is assuming.

Turner has lost a step since 2008. He also hasn't been as reckless, focusing more on holding onto the football with both hands. We've all seen that same thing.

The holes have been there. Turner just hasn't had the same speed to reach them than he had in 08 IMO.

As often as he's been hit behind the line this season, there's no way I can believe the offensive line isn't a major issue.

[Jesus]

There isn't much we can do as fans to change the outcome of the team's season other than grab another beer from the fridge. Just because we lost one game doesn't mean we tear down and start from scratch. Had we not returned the kick for a TD, then Turner and co. Would have had time to put together a great scoring drive, ate clock and rested the D...Falcon football. But no need to rehash that.

As for contact? That's how Turner runs. He isn't Barry Sanders who went every direction possible in order to find a hole. Turner just bowls right through. He's not the first back to run like that and he wont be the last. The team needs someone to remain healthy and take carries away so he remains fresher all season. We haven't had three healthyish backs for more than ten games since 2008. See the pattern.

In two and probably a half years Turner will be the franchises all time leading rusher in all categories. That won't be just him but also the line. We've had the same line in place for three years, the team has enjoyed three winning seasons and two trips to the playoffs. Coincidence?

[Beef]

(01-22-2011 07:55 AM)Radical Wrote:  As often as he's been hit behind the line this season, there's no way I can believe the offensive line isn't a major issue.

Turner is at or near tops in the league for yards after contact for a reason. He doesn't have a cut or the ability to move laterally at all. The entire concept of his run style is to power his way in & out of the line as a result. One would have to be absolutely blind to not see & understand this, and that it is going to cause him to get hit at or behind the line all the time purely by default of the style.

If we had a quick first step finesse back like Chris Johnson or AP, who can get to the line in a fraction of a second & then cut on a dime moving 90 degrees laterally in either direction & then burst like lightning past the line, they'd actually do pretty damn good with our line. I can't tell you how many times I screamed at Turner because there was a GIGANTIC hole a foot to his left or right, yet he takes 2 seconds to get to the line & then he slams into somebody before sliding into the hole falling down because someone has a hand on his ankles. The guy is an enormous powerful bruising RB who gets massive yards because he carries the ball a ridiculous amount of times, but he can't cut or find holes for shit and he's slow as hell until he gets in open field. And that's not our O-line's fault.

And again, same as my discussion with coop, we have no deep passing-game threat & as a result, opposing defenses stack the box against us, blitz significantly more than expected, & safeties cheat up way closer than if we did have a deep game. Add this to Turner's run style and this hurts our rushing tremendously while making our line appear worse than they are. And until we get a consistent 20+ yard receiving dimension to our offense, defenses will not spread out for us & they'll continue to have this advantage.

I love Turner, but I don't think he's an every-down RB at all. I dislike relying solely on the dink-n-dunk control the clock style. It's logically easier to defend because they know we're very likely throwing inside 20 yards if we do & they know Turner is going to try to power through the line constantly. It ultimately breaks down to the law of large numbers at this point & if you play to defend those 2 aspects the vast percentage of the time, you will ultimately have a higher degree of success stopping us. And this is why we need to add those 2 more dimensions, a change-of-pace speed back & a couple more receivers who are deep threats. And I firmly believe our O-line would shine if we gave them that & forced defenses to spread out.

[ggp]

Thank you Cooper for bringing these stats to the board. Clearly, Turner has been the key to our offense for the past three seasons. The interior OL has been a problem for some time now and I think that TD has seen this. He has been setting up a slow and natural evolution that should come to light this offseason. While Baker and Clabo will likely man their positions next season, I expect to see some changes along the interior line.

Blalock should be retained. He has been a good run blocker but his pass blocking and awareness have clearly improved. As Baker has struggled, Blalock has covered Baker's interior very well. As he enters the prime of his career,I look forward to seeing Blalock turn into one of the best OG's in the league.

McClure has always been a scrappy smaller Center that plays above his head. His intelligence and dedication are a credit to his character. Having said that, I think we all know that the bell is tolling on his career. I don't know how many more years we can expect from Todd. This is the position that concerns me most. I hear that both draft picks from last year have experience at Center, but it is tough to find an OL leader like McClure.

Dahl has been a good story but his time is up. As has been mentioned before, he has not been opening running lanes for our RB's and he is not adept at pass protection. I believe that we already have three players on the roster that will outplay Dahl next season. Both Valdez and Reynolds are listed as tackles but both will be ready to slide in to the RG position next season. And, if push comes to shove, Clabo is clearly a better RG candidate than Dahl (clearly, we would rather keep him at RT). Mike Johnson was drafted for the Guard positioin, but I wonder whether he will be ready next year. I thank Dahl for his services and the attitude he brought to the OL, but it is time for a change here.

With respect to Michael Turner, we have to recognize that his best years might be behind him. I know that it is harsh to say such a thing, but history has shown that RB's like Turner don't last long. Players like Bettis are clear exceptions. Are we willing to bet that Turner is another Bettis? I don't think that we can take that gamble.

We need to draft anther RB. An all purpose back that weighs in the 215-225lb range would be ideal. A guy that can power a run but that can also wiggle his way to extra yardage. I like the Deleone Carter kid. He is low to the ground, tough and quick enough to threaten a big gain. He has performed well at the E/W. I hope to catch the game today to get a good look at him.

Thanks again to Cooper for bringing this topic up. I think that TD is already on this and we should not be disappointed with the outcome of his plans.

[JDaveG]

(01-22-2011 12:24 AM)cooperbh Wrote:  Not anything football related, anyway.