Michael Turner signs with Falcons; Dunn likely to get cut

by Brad Wells on Mar 2, 2008 4:43 PM EST in NFL General

It's official: Michael Turner, the man who ended Indy's win streak in 2005 and their season during the 2007 playoffs, is now an Atlanta Falcon. This move likely seals the fate of Warrick Dunn in Hotlanta, and according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter, Dunn is targeting the Colts as his next team.

We wrote about what adding Dunn would mean to this team, and all I've ever heard about with Dunn is positive. He'd fit in seamlessly in this offense, re-uniting him with his former coach in Tampa Bay: Tony Dungy.

Stay tuned for Dunn's release and where he lands.

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You can have him

Dunn is a terrific guy and an excellent leader. At this point in his career, though, I don't think he's going to help you out too much on the field.

I will admit that your line is so much better than ours that it's not even funny, so that could make a difference.

They call me Dave the Falconer, because that's what I tell people to call me.

by Dave Choate on Mar 2, 2008 5:38 PM EST reply actions

If you draft Jake Long

That will go a long way to fixing your line. That dude is a stud.

Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by Brad Wells on Mar 2, 2008 6:06 PM EST up reply actions

I agree

There's nobody I'd rather see them draft at #3 than Long. I have a good feeling it'll happen, unless he's already gone.

They call me Dave the Falconer, because that's what I tell people to call me.

by Dave Choate on Mar 2, 2008 6:23 PM EST up reply actions

Dave

What is Dunn's deal? Is he just getting long in the tooth (he'll be 33 this year), was it the switch to the power running game? He lost .8 ypc last year, and his 4.0 average the year before was not exactly stellar. Has he really lost it or is it more the line/scheme?

by ctnyc on Mar 2, 2008 11:21 PM EST up reply actions

Scheme

I'm not going to try to answer for Dave, but didn't Atlanta run the Zone Blocking scheme before Petrino got there? And then tried to run the a power running scheme with the same personnel? My understanding is that zone blocking needs smaller, lighter offensive linemen that can move in traffic very easily and can move to the next level. I think Dunn just suffered from the move back to man blocking with zone blocking o-lineman. Dave, do you concur?

Plus, He is about to turn 33, so that has to at least factor into it.

by Bullard47 on Mar 3, 2008 12:57 AM EST up reply actions

To try to answer both questions at once

You're both right.

The blocking was a huge issue last year, with the Falcons trotting out undersized linemen who got absolutely killed in all phases of the game. Joey Harrington spent at least as much time running away on his tiny little legs as Warrick Dunn spent going nowhere.

Still, if you guys sign Dunn you'll have to know what you're getting into. He's a model citizen who still catches well but lacks that critical burst of speed into open space. Partly because of that, he spent a lot more time last year dancing and looking for holes that weren't there because of the blocking. Did I mention our season sucked?

In summary, Dunn can still be an effective platoon back for a team with a good line. Just don't expect much more than that.

They call me Dave the Falconer, because that's what I tell people to call me.

by Dave Choate on Mar 3, 2008 1:21 AM EST up reply actions

Sign him up

And keep Keith for short-yardage situations. Sounds like a pretty nice little troika to me.

by BSanders37 on Mar 2, 2008 7:27 PM EST reply actions

Turner's contract

What a ridiculous contract to give a guy whose claim to fame is being the mop-up guy behind LT. You'd think teams would have got a clue after the Lamont Jordan crap but I guess not...then again, Atlanta seems to have issues with dishing out normal contracts as seen by the ridiculous shit they gave Vick.

I may not agree with every contract Polian/Irsay will give players (like Freeney) but at least I know they'll never blow their load over an unproven RB or any other unproven player. I think the Corey Simon fiasco scared them from ever doing something crazy like that.

by Rob L on Mar 4, 2008 7:02 PM EST reply actions

mehq

I don't think Turner is some average backup. The guy has always stepped up huge whenever he had the chance to play. But of course time will only tell. I wouldn't be surprised if he struggles a bit for a couple years down there, they are rebuilding and all.

by KingRichard on Mar 4, 2008 9:16 PM EST up reply actions