FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcons struggles in the red zone -- 7 for 18 (38.5 percent), 28th in the league – have been and will continue to be heavily scrutinized.
On simple reason is that they miss running back Michael “The Burner” Turner, who had 51 red zone rushing touchdowns over the past five seasons.
Turner, who was released in Jan., had nine red zone touchdowns last season even when it clear he was no longer the Burner.
He had nine in 2011, 11 in 2010 and eight in 2009 and 14 in 2008.
Steven Jackson, his replacement, played in just one full game before suffering a hamstring injury on the first drive against St. Louis. The timetable for his return is a little murky, but perhaps we'll get some clarity when the official injury report arrives in our in-boxes at 4 p.m. today. He wrote in his blog that he wasn't returning until he was 100 percent.
Running back Jason Snelling has the lone rushing touchdown in the red zone this season, an 11-yard run against the Rams.
“We are anxious to get Steven back,” offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said. “At the same time, Jacquizz (Rodgers) and Jason are doing a really nice job in his absence. Sure, we want Steven back out there as soon as we can get him back out there for the long haul. Whenever that is, the docs and trainers will let us know, but in the meantime Jacquizz and Jason are doing a nice job.”
If you give the Falcons the 21-yard touchdown Tony Gonzalez scored against New England, they'd have 8 of 19 (42.1 percent).
Here are the red-zone touchdowns this season:
- Julio Jones, 4-yard reception vs. New Orleans
- Tony Gonzalez, 7-yard reception vs. New Orleans
- Jason Snelling, 11-yard run vs. St. Louis
- Steven Jackson, 8-yard reception vs. St. Louis
- Levin Toilolo, 2-yard reception vs. Miami
- Snelling, 7-yard reception vs. Miami.
- Gonzalez, 11-yard reception vs. New England
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
GAME STORY: Patriots withstand rally to down Falcons, 30-23
REPORT CARD: Few positives in loss to the Patriots
TONY G: Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez on 1-3 start to final season: 'Not how I envisioned it at all' -- myajc.com ($)
AJC COLUMNIST MARK BRADLEY: When they see red, they stop and lose
Falcons bench tackle Lamar Holmes for Jeremy Trueblood
Falcons quoteboard after 30-23 loss to the Patriots -- myajc.com ($)
Tom Brady, green group of receivers befuddle Falcons -- myajc.com ($)
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