Falcons: Falcons expected to move on from Turner

[mdrake34]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000...riters_atl

Michael Turner's days with Falcons are numbered
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By Chris Wesseling
Around the League Writer
Published: Feb. 10, 2013 at 03:24 p.m.
Updated: Feb. 10, 2013 at 04:46 p.m.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently raised the possibility that Falcons running back Michael Turner will be replaced in Atlanta after hitting escalators that will drive his 2013 salary to $6.9 million with an $8.9 million cap figure.

With the offseason officially under way, Around the League will examine what's next for all 32 teams.

AFC East
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AFC South
» Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans

Citing "those in the know," the National Football Post now reports the Falcons will be in the market for a running back this offseason. "Chances are" the team will cut ties with Turner, who has lost his ability to "bounce and cut" at age 31.

The news comes as no surprise to avid Falcons watchers. After NFL.com's Albert Breer noted a league-wide perception in August that Turner was "about to lose it ... fast," the one-time power back saw his per-carry average plummet from 4.5 yards in 2011 to 3.6 in 2012.

The coaching staff continued to lose faith in Turner on key third and fourth downs, and he was too often stuffed at the goal line. His inability to move the chains while protecting a lead came back to bite Atlanta in both playoff games this year.

While Jacquizz Rodgers is an excellent pass-catcher in a tandem attack, he's stretched as a feature back. If the Falcons address the position in free agency, "ground 'n' pound" artist Shonn Greene offers a skill-set similar to a younger Turner. Shooting for the moon, Alabama's violent tackle breaker Eddie Lacy would be an even better option.
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.

[TonyGraziani]

Fuck no to Shonn Greene. I'd rather see what TJ Duckett is up to nowadays.

[juraitwaluzka]

(02-11-2013 12:36 PM)TonyGraziani Wrote:  Fuck no to Shonn Greene. I'd rather see what TJ Duckett is up to nowadays.

A ringing endorsement!

[Jimusmc]

lol shonn greene.

if we get ANY FA RB we get reggie bush.

[Jesus]

What I like about Eddy Lacy is that he's had only 355 carries in college years. That's much less than Richardson and Ingram had and both of them were higher rated coming out. Lacy will probably go high but if he doesn't he could be our back for years.