Atlanta Falcons run game continues to impress

Jerious Norwood rushes against the St. Louis Rams, AP Photo/Seth Perlman

If it were up to the Atlanta Falcons they'd be ok letting their rising young quarterback, Matt Ryan, throw the ball just a few times a game and walk away with a win and miles of rushing yards.

With the addition of tight end Tony Gonzalez the team will expect to be a little more balanced on offense this year, but the coaching staff doesn't hide the fact that it believes a strong running game with result in a lot of wins. 

2008's second-best running team in the NFL doesn't appear ready to take a step back this season. 

Through two games in the 2009 preseason, Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner has seen limited work, but has shown, for him, the season could start tomorrow. With 13 carries in the exhibition season, Turner has 128 yards (9.8 YPC) and two touchdowns.  

Not much has changed about Turner's game from last season. During his time as the backup in San Diego he earned the nickname 'The Burner' for his speed, but while in Atlanta he's shown that his game is more about a mix of power and speed. He routinely breaks free from the first hit, providing him with an open field to utilize his speed.  He had longs of 40 and 43 yards against Detroit and St. Louis.

With a year under his belt in Atlanta, Turner appears much more relaxed and at ease within the Falcons' system. The team has said they don't expect Turner to carry the ball a league-leading 376 times this season, but he's prepared to do just that if necessary.

"I feel much better coming into this year," Turner said following Friday night's win over the Rams. "Right now I just feel more comfortable and confident."

Much of the team's success on the ground is a credit to the playmakers, but those playmakers routinely acknowledge the hard work put in up front by the offensive line. In Friday's win, they had another stellar night of work.

"Everything starts up front," the team's quarterback said Friday. "Those guys on the offensive line did a great job on the first drive opening up some holes."

One of the free-agent acquisitions overlooked from the offseason is the signing of versatile lineman Brett Romberg. Center Todd McClure, who hopes to continue his streak of 112 consecutive games started in 2009, sat out against the Rams. Romberg started in his place and the line didn't miss a beat.

"Brett did a great job tonight, filling in for Todd," said Ryan. "Obviously Todd's one of the staples of our offense, especially that offensive line, but Brett came in and did a great job. He can play a number of different positions for us. That was a huge pickup for us this offseason."

Gonzalez has said he knew right away upon coming to Atlanta that blocking would be a part of his game that he would have to revisit. He's admitted to being uncomfortable at times, but knows it's a critical part of the offense.

"I'm really getting back into that role, where they really want me to block," Gonzalez said. "Because last year that really wasn't required, because of our situation out there in Kansas City."

Second-year left tackle Sam Baker has a few adjectives that he feels describes the character of the offensive line and why they are so successful in the running game.

"Workmanlike, cerebral, sharp, savvy, technical, and powerful," Baker said. He also added a characteristic that is not traditionally associated with linemen.

"Good looking."

One of the players that figures to take some of the load off Turner is fourth-year running back Jerious Norwood. The 2006 third-round draft pick could be poised for a break out year. The fastest player at the 2006 NFL Draft Combine's skill set adds multiple layers of dimension to the Falcons offense.

"Jerious is like our little x-factor," Turner said. "He does a lot of different things. He returns kicks, catches the ball out of the backfield, he makes explosive runs. He can do it all. So we try to get him the ball whatever way we can."

Norwood's production has been overlooked by Turner's eye-popping stats thus far in the preseason, but on 14 carries he's produced 62 yards (4.4 YPC). He's also added two receptions.

The Mississippi State product has added some weight this season and he feels he's not just a speed back. Speed, he acknowledges, is important at certain times, but a running back takes a pounding running inside and must be able to absorb it.

"Being a running back, you've got to be able to hit," Norwood said. "Basically we get contact on every play, so you've got to be able to withstand that contact. But you've also got to be able to get away too at the same time."

The most overlooked aspect of the Falcons' running game is its depth. Third-year back Jason Snelling showed on Friday that he's no slouch either. On 12 carries, he produced 61 yards, carrying much of the load in the second half. Snelling saw much of his time because the player he's competing with for the third running back spot, Thomas Brown, missed the game with a leg injury.

Snelling's performance goes a long way toward helping him make the team. In addition to running back, the 2007 seventh-round selection can serve as a fullback and also led the team last season with 19 special teams tackles.

Through two games in the preseason, the Falcons are second in the league with 275 yards rushing, sixth with 4.8 yards per carry, and are tied for first with three touchdowns. 

Falcons-Rams Game Recap

(Some quotes for this recap were sourced from Falcons First Take and the team's quote compilation.)

Additional Training Camp/Preseason coverage

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