Falcons Notebook: Michael Turner racking up awards

Flowery Branch —Falcons running back Michael Turner was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season on Wednesday. Turner was honored for his 208-yard performance against St. Louis on Sunday. Turner also won the award after games against Detroit (Week 1) and Kansas City (Week 3). He becomes the first player in Falcons history to earn conference offensive player of the week accolades on three different occasions in one season.

In the Falcon’s 31-27 victory over the Rams, Turner recorded the second-highest single-game rushing total in team history with 208 yards on 25 carries with one touchdown and a season-long run of 70 yards.

Advice on struggles

Arizona clinched the NFC West division with three games but it lost two games before clinching and then the next two after wrapping up the title.

Falcons coach Mike Smith doesn’t put much emphasis on the slovenly way the Cardinals closed the season.

“I know that they were one of the first teams to clinch a spot in the playoffs by winning their division early,” Smith said. “That says a lot about their football team. Coach (Ken) Whisenhunt will have the guys ready to go.”

Before a season-ending victory of Seattle, Whisenhunt got some advice from Mike Holmgren.

“Coach Holmgren in Seattle relayed a story about how the same thing happened to him,” Whisenhunt said. “They were 8-2 and clinched the division early. Then they lost four out of their last five.

“He said it was part of the process that you have to go through with a team that hasn’t won a lot of games or hasn’t won the division before.”

Whisenhunt admits that his team may have eased up with the playoff berth secure.

“Our guys relaxed and we didn’t play well,” Whisenhunt said. “Especially when you are going against some pretty good football teams who are playing to get into the playoffs, you can have some pretty ugly moments, which we did.”

Shanahan shocker

Falcons kicker Jason Elam, who spent most of his career with Denver, was shocked by the firing of his former coach Mike Shanahan.

“He’s a tremendous coach,” Elam said. “I respect him a lot. He’s done a lot for that city and that organization. I was very surprised. I think most people where.”

Milloy vs. Warner

Safety Lawyer Milloy is one of three Falcons with a Super Bowl ring. He got his against Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner, when they both played with former teams.

Milloy was with New England and Warner was the quarterback for St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXVI.

“He’s a fierce competitor and that’s the reason why he’s in the position he is now,” Milloy said. ” He has a receiving corps and a team that rallies around his competitive nature. Guys are going up and getting balls for him.

“They get him out of a lot of bad throws just because of their aggression (going) after the ball. He’s capable of making every throw, capable of winning a lot of games in this league and he’s been doing it for years.”

Injury update

Defensive ends Jamaal Anderson (high ankle sprain) and John Abraham (thigh/shoulder), defensive tackle Grady Jackson (knee) and tackle Todd Weiner (knee) did not practice on Wednesday.

Left tackle Sam Baker (hip/back), wide receiver Harry Douglas (head), linebacker Curtis Lofton (knee), fullback Ovie Mughelli (knee) and Milloy were limited in practice.

Arizona update

Defensive end Travis LaBoy (ankle) did not practice.

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin (shoulder), defensive tackle Gabe Watson (knee), tight end Leonard Pope (knee) and linebacker Pago Togafau (knee) were limited in practice.