Turner the Burner overweight?

[L-TownCat]

Just read this article about our old friend down 85 south. Could this be another sign of things to come for us sooner than later?

Posted by Josh Alper on June 22, 2012, 10:07 AM EDT

"Getty Images

Running back Michael Turner is in line for the smallest workload of his NFL career this season, something that the Falcons have explained as being about keeping him as fresh as possible down the stretch.

The Falcons haven’t mentioned his weight as part of the equation for spreading the backfield work, but it has come up elsewhere in Atlanta. On sports radio and elsewhere, Turner has been called overweight. In a video interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Turner denied those claims and said that he weighs the same as he has throughout his career.

Turner has always been on the beefier side of things. When you combine that with his severe fades toward the end of the last two seasons, it makes sense that people would wonder if he was out of shape. Regardless of the time of the season, though, Turner has long struggled to produce against strong run defenses and piled up big numbers against weaker opposition.

Perhaps that will be remedied by a better balance with other backs or with a stronger passing attack, something new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has been charged with bringing to town. For the Falcons to take the next step up the ladder, one or the other will have to result in a more effective run game regardless of Turner’s weight."

[TheGreatestOfAllTimeCam]

He sure as hell is overweight

[rayzor]

he's been overrated for a couple years.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

nothing new. turner's been on the heavy side for years.

never understood how he picked up the nickname burner in the first place. he's been shifty and has quick spurts, but he's never been fast.

[The Huddler]

is butt is huge

[Mr. Scot]

Maybe they'll change his nickname to Turner the Cheeseburger.

[jtnc]

is butt is huge

Literally though.

[The Huddler]

Im serious

[csx]

he's been overrated for a couple years.

I don't know how anyone with over over 1300 yards and over 10 tds the past two seasons can be overrated. That's like 3rd in the NFL over that time frame and he gets fairly little attention for it.

[jtnc]

I don't know how anyone with over over 1300 yards and over 10 tds the past two seasons can be overrated. That's like 3rd in the NFL over that time frame and he gets fairly little attention for it.

True, because Ryan cannot succeed without a running game. He relies on play-action too much.

[Ivan The Awesome]

he's been overrated for a couple years.

He seems to have our number every time he faced us the last couple of years. I wouldn't call him overrated any time soon.

[Hairless Cat]

He seems to have our number every time he faced us the last couple of years. I wouldn't call him overrated any time soon.

from article = us

Turner has long struggled to produce against strong run defenses and piled up big numbers against weaker opposition.

[jtnc]

He seems to have our number every time he faced us the last couple of years. I wouldn't call him overrated any time soon.

Last year at home he had 21 carries for 76 yards 3.6 avg, it was our shitty pass-defense that couldn't stop Ryan.

[Gallagher]

The Falcons lessening Turner's workload is good for us. I remember hearing one of those random stats they spout off during games that the Flacons win much more often when Turner has at least 20 carries or something. He's probably the most consistent part of that offense so him being overweight or getting less carries means we'll likely see more dropped balls from Roddy White and subsequent punts out of the Foulcunts.