When Mike Smith became the Atlanta Falcons Head Coach in 2008, the Atlanta Falcons were being built as a team that would run the football, with the signing of veteran running back Michael Turner, and allow the continued development of quarterback Matt Ryan. That year, the Falcons went to the playoffs with an 11-5 record. The next year injuries to the offensive line, Ryan and Turner were too much to overcome as they went 9-7.
In 2010, the Falcons were healthy and ready to run. And boy, did they. Running the ball, the Falcons averaged 3.8 yards per carry with Michael Turner carrying the bulk of the load. Turner would finish the season carrying the ball 334 times for a total of 1371 yards per carry, averaging 4.1 yards per carry.
Receiving, Roddy White was the main go-to guy last season catching the ball 115 times, amassing 1,389 yards and averaging 9.4 yards per catch. Tony Gonzalez was second on the team with 70 catches for 656 yards averaging 9.4 yards.
Ok, I know what you’re saying. If Turner and White had just about as many yards, what difference does it make? Let’s wind it forward to 2011.
This season, after making a bold move to draft the explosive Julio Jones at wide receiver, the Falcons are 5-4. They rank 14th in the league averaging 24 points per game, 12th in total yards with 362 per game, 12th in passing yards at 240, and 12th in rushing yards at 121. All the number are close to the middle of the pack for the league.
At this time last season, the Falcons were 7-2 and had a balanced running and air game that was hard to stop. It doesn’t appear that way this season as the Falcons are appearing to transform into a team that can spread the field with deep threats at wide receiver instead of sticking with what has gotten them to the post season 2 out of the last 3 winning seasons.
This season, the Falcons have been trying to utilize their offensive weapons, but there have been some limitations. In some games where the running game has gotten off to a strong start, it has been abandoned or the team has had to play catch up because of deficits, causes them to rely on the pass. Michael Turner has made the most of his opportunities though. He’s carried the ball 179 times for 788 yards averaging 4.4 yards per carry with 7 TD’s.
Roddy White has made some big plays, but he has had some key drops also. He does lead the team in receptions and yards with 47 for 563, with 3 touchdowns. Tony Gonzalez is second with 45 receptions for 487 yards and 6 touchdowns. Speaking of Julio Jones, he’s third with 30 receptions for 498 yards for an average of 16.6 yards and 2 touchdowns. Even though he didn’t have the traditional OTA’s, training camp, and has been bothered by a hamstring injury, Jones is slowly proving that he can be a deep threat in the NFL.
It’s clear that running the football is “Falcons Football.” It’s also clear the Falcons are not one dimensional, but running the ball is their strong suit. When Michael Turner goes, so does the offense. The pieces are there for the Falcons to be an elite team, but this time last season the Falcons were 7-2 and that was without Julio Jones. As the old saying goes, what a difference one man makes.
The Falcons will be that explosive offense team through the air, but it’s not this season. If they want to win consistently and win the division, they’ve got to get back to basics. And that means running the football.
It could start this week against the Tennessee Titans, who visit Atlanta on Sunday. The Titans are 22nd in the NFL against the run, which should be a plus for the Falcons, 15th against the pass and 15th in total defense. With those averages, Michael Turner, Jacquizz Rodgers, and whomever else the Falcons put in the backfield should be able to put up some good numbers.
