Turner Gives Falcons Some Hope

It may be the preseason, which is most notable for the NFL's ability to gouge it's ticket holders by charging full price, but Michael Turner's running is showing the Falcons have some reasons to hope 2008 will be better than 2007.

Last year the Falcons had one run of 50+ yards. In yesterday's preseason game with the Colts, Turner had runs of 52 yards and 63 yards in the first quarter. It was a nice little reminder of what Turner brings to the Falcons offense, but more than that, it was a positive sign that the offensive line, which was pretty good two years ago, has washed away the disaster that Bobby Petrino wrought on it last year.

Yes, the Falcons are 0-2, and yes there are a long way from being anything more than mediocre, but we all knew that before the preseason began. Matt Ryan looks more ready than could have been expected, the offensive line is better than it was last year, Turner and Jerious Norwood are going to give this team a solid running game, and some of the young cornerbacks are showing some promise. Add it all up and the first two games of this preseason may have been two losses, but it gives some reasons to believe that Mike Smith has this team pointed in the right direction.