FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 3/8/2013 12:06am et

The New England Patriots could show interest in free-agent RB Michael Turner (Falcons) and Kansas City Chiefs impending free-agent RB Peyton Hillis this offseason if they are willing to accept the role as a goal-line back.

Huddle Up: Danny Woodhead is a UFA and isn't expected to return so there is an opening in the N.E. backfield. And, hey, this is the Pats, whose goal it seems is to frustrate fantasy owners by unpredictably mixing and matching a full stable of backs on a weekly basis.

Posted: 3/3/2013 1:43pm et

The New York Giants could show interest in free-agent RB Michael Turner (Falcons) as a short-yardage back.

Huddle Up: Turner may no longer be a No. 1 back any more, but he definitely does have a nose for the end zone with 5 straight seasons with double-digit rushing TDs, including 10 this past season.

Posted: 3/1/2013 12:59pm et

The Atlanta Falcons released RB Michael Turner.

Huddle Up: Everyone saw this coming, as the Falcons clear $6.4 million in cap space by releasing the 31-year-old running back. The move leaves Jacquizz Rodgers as Atlanta's primary ball-carrier, at least for the moment; expect the Falcons to address the position via the draft or free agency.

Posted: 2/22/2013 1:04pm et

The Atlanta Falcons are likely to release RB Michael Turner. He's scheduled to make $6.9 million in 2013.

Huddle Up: Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling would be in line to share the backfield workload in Atlanta sans Turner, but you would have to think the Falcons would look for additional backfield help in the draft or free agency. Turner, meanwhile, would be a short-yardage committee option elsewhere.

Posted: 1/25/2013 9:53pm et

The Atlanta Falcons could consider restructuring RB Michael Turner's contract and use him as a red zone running back next season.

Huddle Up: Turner had digressed into the lead dog in an RBBC by season's end, with the bulk of his fantasy value coming as a goal line back. Jacquizz Rodgers may not be the Falcons' answer as an every-down back, but he could be involved in another committee approach with Turner as the goal line guy. Either way, Turner's days as a consistent 20-carry per game back appear to be in his rear-view mirror.

Posted: 1/20/2013 10:36pm et

Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner (ankle) suffered an ankle injury early in the third quarter of Sunday's NFC Championship Game and did not return.

Huddle Up: Turner finished with 30 yards on 8 carries, and there is speculation that he might be a salary-cap casualty in the offseason after an 803-yard rushing season -- his worst in 5 seasons with the Falcons.

Posted: 1/10/2013 2:00pm et

Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner could be cut in the offseason. He has a $5.5 million salary, and the soon-to-be 31-year-old has shown signs of aging.

Huddle Up: Turner bailed out his fantasy owners with 10 TDs, but finished with only 803 yards -- his lowest single-season output since coming to Atlanta in 2008 -- had only 2 100-yard games and averaged only 3.6 yards per carry. At the very least, his days as a full-time starter seem to be numbered.

Posted: 1/5/2013 10:17am et

Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner carried the football just 222 times this season, well below his 301 carries last season. Entering the team's previous three playoffs trips, in 2008, 2010 and 2012, Turner had 376, 334 and 301 carries in the regular season, respectively. Turner also enters the playoffs healthy. "I tore my groin the last two years, one side one year, the other side the next year," Turner said. "So I don't have those problems coming into this year. I'm good."

Huddle Up: Um... ouch? Turner hasn't looked particularly spry down the stretch, but perhaps he's just been pacing himself. If he is indeed healthy and can give the Falcons 20 quality carries a game he'll provide a nice balance to the explosive Atlanta offense. Jacquizz Rodgers should see plenty of touches as well.

Posted: 12/6/2012 7:50pm et

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith said RB Michael Turner (thumb) should be able to play in Week 14 against the Carolina Panthers.

Huddle Up: Turner will be out there and that means the timeshare with Jacquizz Rodgers will continue. Turner's best asset has been his goalline work (7 TDs), and his fantasy owners will be banking on a score or 2 Sunday.

Posted: 11/29/2012 11:47pm et

Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner carried 12 times for a team-high 83 yards and a TD Thursday night in a 23-13 Week 13 win over the New Orleans Saints. His only blemish was a late-game fumble as the Falcons were trying to run out the clock.

Huddle Up: Turner's 3-yard run in the first quarter gave him 3 straight games with a rushing TD. Still, despite the streak, Turner had been struggling mightly with only 78 yards on 41 carries in his previous 3 outings, but he eclipsed that yardage total on a night in which he ran with power and determination.

Posted: 11/26/2012 11:37am et

Atlanta Falcons RB Jacquizz Rodgers played in 31 offensive snaps in Week 12, while RB Michael Turner played in 23 snaps.

Huddle Up: Anyone who has watched football this season knows that Turner has lost at least a step from his "Burner" days, making him a poor fit for what the Falcons want to do offensively. Rodgers' role continues to grow, which in turn increases his fantasy value. Turner is still getting the ball at the stripe, but Rodgers' Week 12 touchdown against the Bucs indicates he's in the mix as well.

Posted: 11/16/2012 5:02pm et

Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner (groin) was limited in practice Friday, Nov. 16, and is questionable for the team's Week 11 game.

Huddle Up: This is an interesting develop for the Atlanta offense. Turner has been sputtering as of late while Jacquizz Rodgers has gotten stronger. Could this be Rodgers' coming out party? The Falcons have been stubborn when it comes to giving Turner carries, but an injury could change things.

Posted: 11/14/2012 3:13pm et

Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner has had nine carries inside the three-yard line this season and they have resulted in two touchdowns and one net yard rushing. In goal-to-go situations, Turner has carried 17 times for three touchdowns and totaled 18 net yards. The Falcons have struggled in all short-yardage situations this season. When needing two or fewer yards on third or fourth down, the Falcons have converted only seven of 15 rushes (46.7 percent) into first downs.

Huddle Up: A frequent visitor to Under the Number's Police Plodder, Turner's short-yardage woes should come as no surprise. Opposing defenses know what's coming, and Turner is no spring chicken. Couple that with an expected second-half decline like he has had the past couple of seasons and we might be looking at a fantasy bench warmer from here on out.

Posted: 11/13/2012 10:55pm et

Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter acknowledged Tuesday, Nov. 13, that the short yardage offense is a major problem for his unit. However, he defended RB Michael Turner, who had 13 carries for just 15 yards in Week 10. 'When you look at the tape on the majority of Mike Turner's runs in the game the other day, he had no chance. We had free runners at the point of attack,' Koetter said.

Huddle Up: It's been feast or famine with Turner this season as the Falcons' back hasn't put back-to-back 100-yard rushing games together all year and hasn't scored in consecutive games since Weeks 2 & 3. The normal advice would be play the matchups with Turner, but then again he failed to do anything with a great one last week against the defenseless Saints.

Posted: 11/10/2012 10:59pm et

In the Atlanta Falcons' two most recent wins over the New Orleans Saints in 2008 and 2010, RB Michael Turner had 27 and 30 carries, respectively.

Huddle Up: Turner has been on a pitch count this season as the Falcons seek to keep him fresher. His single-game, season-high for rushing attempts is 24, and he hasn't had as many as 27 in a game since Week 7 of the 2011 season. And given the Saints' putrid defense (last in the NFL in opposing fantasy points allowed to opposing RBs, QBs and WRs), the Falcons have no shortage of game-plan options Sunday.

Posted: 9/19/2012 2:38pm et

Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner issued an apology Wednesday, Sept. 19, for his drunken driving arrest. Turner said he is sorry for the embarrassment he's caused the team and vows to do the right things to address the matter. He also said he expects to play in Week 3.

Huddle Up: Considering Marshawn Lynch has yet to sniff a suspension for his DUI despite having a history of run-ins with the commissioner's offense, Turner's playing time might not be impacted by this anytime soon. Whether or not his horrendous YPC will finally catch up with him is another question.

Posted: 9/18/2012 12:12pm et

Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding early Tuesday, Sept. 18.

Huddle Up: The arresting officers were going to charge Turner with speeding, but they had seen his performance in the Monday night game and knew that wasn't an option. The Falcons indicated they were aware of the arrest and were seeking details; it's unlikely to result in a suspension for Turner, but it may expedite Jacquizz Rodgers' integration into the regular offense.

Posted: 9/18/2012 1:04am et

Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner carried 17 times for just 42 yards in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos Monday, Sept. 17, but he was able to find the end zone.

Huddle Up: Despite leading by multiple TDs for much of the night, Turner and the Falcons weren't really able to salt the game away with a ball-control attack. Moreover, Turner had only 27 yards on 16 carries before ripping off a 15-yard gain on his final attempt. He now has 74 yards on 28 carries in two games -- definitely not the Turner of recent seasons considering the Falcons have been playing with the lead for the overwhelming majority of their two contests.

Posted: 9/10/2012 11:17am et

Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner carried 11 times for just 32 yards in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, and he did not have any receptions.

Huddle Up: While it was a blowout win for the Falcons, it's notable that Turner played just one more snap than Jacquizz Rodgers. Turner is still in line to be Atlanta's goal line back, but as demonstrated in Week 1 they have plenty of passing game options in that area as well.

Posted: 8/22/2012 12:48pm et

Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner has just 14 yards on eight carries in the preseason so far; however, Turner insists there is no reason to panic as it is just a matter of getting his work in. 'It's just a matter of getting reps,' Turner said. 'It's just a glorified practice. You just want to get out there, get the looks and make the corrections from the game tape like you do for any other practice. You still want to look sharp and crisp out there and hopefully we'll clean all that up this week.'

Huddle Up: This should come as no surprise, particularly if you've read the preseason edition of 'Under the Numbers.' Turner is 30 years old and coming off several high-volume seasons. His YPC was 3.8 over his final six games, 3.3 if you exclude his big performance against the Bucs in Week 17. The preseason is not necessarily a great place to harvest statistics for fantasy purposes, but Turner's poor performances only serve to reinforce the notion that he is on the downslope.

Posted: 7/3/2012 8:16pm et

Atlanta Falcons running backs coach Gerald Brown indicated Monday, July 2, that the team is trying to work RBs Jason Snelling, Jacquizz Rodgers, Antone Smith, Dimitri Nance and Robbie Frey into the mix during training camp and the preseason. The team feels particularly good about Snelling and Rodgers, who are expected to spell RB Michael Turner more this season.

Huddle Up: Turner's fantasy reputation is becoming malodorous and we haven't started training camp yet. It seems unfair, but the Falcons keep releasing statements about reducing his carries, over and over. At times last year it seemed clear he had lost a step. Even his 81-yard TD in the season finale seemed labored. Turner has averaged 4.0 yards or less in 19 of his last 32 games.