Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > November > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTurner has the last laugh
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
San Diego — Before the pupil spent Sunday afternoon rushing more like a candidate for Canton than his mentor, they met at midfield for the coin toss inside Qualcomm Stadium.
This was tough, especially for Michael Turner, the pupil. They hadn’t seen each other since their San Diego Chargers played in New England last season for the AFC championship. Turner was closing his fourth year back then in the NFL as LaDainian Tomlinson’s backup.
Now, since Turner bolted to become a $34.5 million free agent for the Falcons, the pupil and his mentor embraced, just a kiss shy of resembling Magic and Isiah from a different era.
“It was weird, because we were standing there in different uniforms,” said Turner, referring to Tomlinson, who ranks 14th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. “When I saw him and the rest of those guys, I started to think about the fun times we had in the locker room and stuff.”
So much for nostalgia. Before the coin flip hit the ground, Turner suffered a dose of self-imposed amnesia. He helped the Falcons rise to 8-4 with more brilliance from his ever-churning legs. He finished with more than 100 yards rushing for the sixth time this season (compared to twice for Tomlinson). To be exact, Turner carried 31 times for 120 yards during the Falcons’ 22-16 victory to keep the 4-8 Chargers in purgatory along with his mentor.
All Mike Smith knows is that Turner has followed the script. When Smith was hired earlier this year as Falcons coach, he said he wanted folks who could prosper in a physical, disciplined system that emphasized a strong running game. Exhibit A: Turner, a model of composure, even during an emotional situation.
Said Smith, “He is such a task master. I mean, he really is. I know he probably was excited about playing and seeing his old friends, but I didn’t feel there was anything different this week in his preparation. When we were doing our due diligence, we felt that he would bring that stability to our running back realm and to our team.”
The results? Turner is evolving into the Falcons’ LT. Well, make that the old LT before hints of a decline this season. There was the third quarter, when the Chargers faced third-and-one from their 29, and the new Tomlinson ran forever.
For zero yards. “He’s still a good back, and he’s going to be a Hall of Famer, but it was getting frustrating to him,” said Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson, who smacked Tomlinson into a no-gainer on that play. Courtesy of Jackson and his teammates, Tomlinson rushed for 24 yards, the second-lowest total during his eight seasons in the league. At least for this game, Turner couldn’t care less.
As for Tomlinson, describing his feelings while studying his pupil in an opponent’s uniform: “It was strange at first, but when he started getting the ball and running up and down the field, it was apparent that he had moved on.”
Still, Turner had that fumble in the fourth quarter that the Chargers later converted into a field goal. Worse, despite the Falcons enjoying first-and-goal from the Chargers’ 2-yard line near the end of the first half, Turner carried three times, but he got the Falcons no closer than maybe a foot from the goal line. He eventually was smacked and then heckled by his former teammates on fourth-and-one.
“[Cornerback] Quentin Jammer was in my face saying, ‘Oh, you just got knocked out,’ and stuff like that,” said Turner, laughing, because he was laughing last.
• More coverage: Michael Turner page
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons/NFL
Comments
By Terrible Truth
December 1, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
I get the feeling that LT is in the beginning of a burnout-flameout ala Earl Campbell. The Chargers should have opened the purse strings a little and mixed MT in a little more. But they are the Ryan Leaf Chargers and we are the Michael Vi, never mind. At least we never hired Norv Turner! He’s about three quarters of the way to putting his “stamp” (stomp?) on that team.
By Bobby Dowell
December 1, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
Chargers players reminded me of the panthers in that they celebrate every little play like that had won the superbowl. Just an out-coached and out-classed team from start to finish..
By Marcus
December 1, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Good commentary. We still can’t leave points on the field. Luckily, it didn’t come back to haunt us yesterday.
By Tripp Smith
December 1, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
It is great to see the Falcons laughing last…all hail the new era!!!
By Katrena
December 1, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
It is so awesome to see the Falcons playing as a team!!! I am truly enjoying this season and I really like watching Michael Turner play…I am not big on the comparisons of “LT” and Michael…However, what I am big on is a player who is hired to do a job and performs regardless. That is professionalism and maturity and I like that! The Falcons as a whole really exemplified that, when they continued to play full-strength with calculated wisdom in spite of the turnovers. Professionalism and Maturity it goes a long way. Hats off to all of the Falcons players and keep up the good work guys!
By JJB
December 1, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Good Article, Terence
By jim
December 2, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
so nice to have a guy like Turner come to the falcons. His running has been great and he so helps set up the passing game with Matt Ryan. The falcons definitely got this one right. Thanks falcons - it is appreciated.
By Gandalf, the White!
December 2, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Damn Skippy!
By A Real Fan
December 2, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
We do need to figure something out about not being able to score on the goal line. Grady may have to come in and play a little offense.