Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey offered some incentive to his linemen at the start of training camp.
"If you get a stalemate [with a defense], the pile is going to move and you know what could happen to you if Michael Turner comes up behind you,"
Mularkey said. "It may be better to be pushing than just standing there."
Mularkey forgot to mention that Turner most likely would be chauffeured to, and maybe through, the offensive line by bruising fullback Ovie Mughelli. Turner and Mughelli, the Falcons' two big-free agent signings the past two seasons, provide nearly 500 pounds of speed and muscle.
So the linemen's re-arrangement of vertebrae could be even more severe if they don't do their jobs.
"We bring a lot of attitude,"
Turner said. "We want to make a point. We are trying to have a new identity on this team. It's going to be nasty and we all get that."
The Falcons may have drafted Matt Ryan, but the success of the young quarterback — and the team — will be predicated on running the ball. After three seasons leading the NFL in rushing, Atlanta dropped to 26th last season. They only had one game (San Francisco) where a running back reached the 100-yard mark.
"We're determined to run the ball and that will make everything else easier, especially pass protection,"
offensive line coach Paul Boudreau said. "If we run, that will put eight defenders in the box and give you a chance to throw the ball down the field. We're trying to establish something here."
Tight end Ben Hartsock, who is much more of a blocker than receiver, said the running game is "developing,"
in part because the offensive line is still being assembled in front of a yet-to-be determined quarterback, a new running back and a new offensive system.
Two of the offensive linemen, right guard Harvey Dahl and left tackle Sam Baker, would be first-year starters. Who starts at right tackle — Todd Weiner or Tyson Clabo — depends on Weiner fully recovering from knee surgery.
Though there is uncertainty about the complexion and experience of the line, Boudreau said the establishment of a foul persona is a good first step.
"I make it a point to tell my guys that if the defense is 15 yards downfield swarming, taking shots at our ball carrier you might as well get down there and get into the fray,"
Boudreau said. "It's one of those things where they're buying into it and we're seeing the results."
Buffering some potential growing pains along the line are Hartsock, Mughelli, and if needed, a second tight end/H-back, Martrez Milner. It's additional muscle that Mularkey has designed to give extra punch.
"You've got to have a good offensive line to run the ball and to make it complete, you need tight ends, fullbacks and wide receives to block,"
Mughelli said. "With me being the spearhead, as I go Mike goes. When Mike doesn't make any yards. I take it personally. When he does get yards, I take that personally too."
Backup tailback Jerious Norwood will be utilized much more this season, as his game-changing speed is too vital to keep sidelined. The ideal plan, according to coaches, is to use the third-year game breaker after the defense has been bludgeoned for a few series.
Which brings us back to Turner, who, at 5-foot-10, 244 pounds, runs incredibly low, reducing his target to pretty much knees and elbows. Should he reach the second level of the defense, Turner "The Burner"
has the speed to break off gains in huge chunks.
"I just feel when somebody's coming,"
Turner said about his ability to escape or barrel through. "That's my fifth year and that's where my experience comes into play. It's been very effective running like that."
