Turner to the Falcons

[BlueBandit24]

Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3273710

The best available running back in the free-agent market has a new home.

Michael Turner, who has been the Chargers' insurance policy for LaDainian Tomlinson, agreed to a six-year, $34.5 million contract with the Falcons, with $15 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN.com's Michael Smith.

Turner gained 316 yards on 71 carries with one touchdown last season.

[eagles21]

I guess that really brings down Norwood's value. Does anyone think that Turner will start, or will they split carries?

[BlueBandit24]

I guess that really brings down Norwood's value. Does anyone think that Turner will start, or will they split carries?

I doubt they're shelling out that type of dough for Turner to carry the ball 12 times a game. I would guess he gets a large share of the work while Norwood remains in his change of pace role with 5-7 carries per contest. With the Falcons shifting their focus to a power run game, it makes sense to utilize Turner who is much better in that role than Norwood. Turner could be in line for 300 carries with good health.

[Kilroy]

I guess that really brings down Norwood's value. Does anyone think that Turner will start, or will they split carries?

I doubt they're shelling out that type of dough for Turner to carry the ball 12 times a game. I would guess he gets a large share of the work while Norwood remains in his change of pace role with 5-7 carries per contest. With the Falcons shifting their focus to a power run game, it makes sense to utilize Turner who is much better in that role than Norwood. Turner could be in line for 300 carries with good health.

Unfortunately (since I'm a Norwood Dynasty Owner) I agree with you.

[biju]

This is a better fit than some of the other places I was hearing he might head to. Yeah, Norwood is there but I never really saw him as a 20+ carry back, which Turner can certainly do. It will be interesting to see exactly how the split works, but I think Turner will be getting no less than 16 carries when healthy, and more likely in the 22-24 range most of the time.

[steelerfan513]

I guess that really brings down Norwood's value. Does anyone think that Turner will start, or will they split carries?

Norwood's past performance combined with the fact that neither has carried the load as a starter leads me to believe that it'll be a split, probably with Turner getting more carries.

[LoveBoatCaptain]

Don't be foolish. Turner is the man in Atlanta. Jerious Norwood will be his backup/change of pace/whatever you want to call it.

[deluxe_247]

well this probably means falcons go matt ryan...and mcfadden falls to the raiders in the draft.

i was really hoping norwood would become the guy in atlanta. ive always thought he was pretty talented. guess the coaching staff didnt neccessarily feel the same way.

turner wanted to be the man...and he will be "the man" singularly...with little help from the rest of the team . not the most ideal place to start your career as a feature back.

[TheDiplomats]

I guess that really brings down Norwood's value. Does anyone think that Turner will start, or will they split carries?

Norwood's past performance combined with the fact that neither has carried the load as a starter leads me to believe that it'll be a split, probably with Turner getting more carries.

Well both guys carried the load when they played in college. I'd imagine they will probably go with a 70/30 split with Turner getting the majority...but they've got to find ways to get Norwood the ball in the open field. He's got insane quickness and speed.

[mattb47]

I wont mind having Norwood in a dynasty league though because we've never seen if Turner can carry the load in the NFL for a full season without getting banged up and so Norwood could still get an opportunity to be the starter at some point. Turner could be a good starter, but he's still a big question mark...