Michael Turner (American football)

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Michael "The Burner" Turner (born February 13, 1982 in Waukegan, Illinois) is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Northern Illinois.

[edit] Early years

Turner went to North Chicago Community High School in North Chicago, Illinois.

[edit] College career

Northern Illinois University. As a junior, he finished second in the nation with 1,915 yards, including five 200+ yd games and two 5 TD games. In 2003, he finished second in the NCAA in rushing, behind his future NFL teammate Darren Sproles, with 1,148 yards. He left NIU with the school records for rushing yards (1,941), touchdowns (13) and all-purpose yards (1,038). Since his departure from NIU, two records (rushing yards and touchdowns) have been broken by Garrett Wolfe.

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Pre-draft

(* represents NFL Combine)

[edit] San Diego Chargers

Turner was drafted by the Chargers 154th overall in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Turner played mostly on special teams, but started and ran for 87 yards in the regular-season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Turner had again spent most of 2005 on the bench as backup to Pro Bowl starter LaDainian Tomlinson. But in the December 18 game against the undefeated Indianapolis Colts, Turner came off the bench to run for 113 yards, including a game-clinching 83-yard touchdown. This run gained him the nickname: Michael "The burner" Turner.

Since his career started he has rushed for 716 yards and 4 touchdowns on 118 carries (as of Oct. 19, 2006). He also has 4 catches for eight yards. As of the end of the 2005-2006 season Turner's 5.7 yards per carry average is the highest among active players.

During the 2007 off season, Chargers General manager A.J. Smith stated that the Chargers would be willing to trade Turner in exchange for both a first and third round draft pick.^[2]. However, a day after 2007 NFL Draft concluded, A.J. Smith stated that Michael Turner would remain a Charger for the 2007 season. He would no longer be accepting trade offers from other NFL teams for Turner.^[3]

On April 26, 2007, Turner signed the $2.35 million, one-year tender he received from the Chargers after becoming a restricted free agent.

On January 13, 2008, Turner gained attention when he filled in ably for the Chargers' injured starter Tomlinson early in an AFC Divisional playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts, gaining 71 yards on 17 carries, including several key runs.

[edit] Atlanta Falcons

Turner (right) finds a hole in the defense during the Falcons' 24-0 blowout of the Oakland Raiders on November 2, 2008.

On March 2, 2008, the Atlanta Falcons signed Turner to a six-year, $34.5 million contract with $15 million guaranteed.^[4] Turner underwent shoulder surgery after the Chargers' season ended last year.

In his Falcon debut, Turner broke the Atlanta Falcons single game rushing record against the Detroit Lions on September 7, 2008, rushing for 220 yards on 22 carries with 2 touchdowns.^[5] His 220 yards against the Lions marked the second-highest opening day rushing total behind O.J. Simpson’s 250 yards in 1973 and his rushing total is also the most in NFL annals by a player in his first game with a new team and surpassed the previous mark of 202 yards setting by running back Gerald Riggs on September 2, 1984. Coincidentally, Turner became the first Falcons offensive player of the week following an NFL season opening weekend since Riggs earned the honor after setting his record in 1984. He was named NFC Offensive Player of the week for this performance. On November 23 2008, he set a personal record with 4 rushing TDs in a victory over the Carolina Panthers. He compiled 117 yards rushing during that same game.^[6] His seventeen rushing touchdowns during the 2008 season broke the Atlanta Falcons' single season record of 14 set by Jamal Anderson in 1998, it is also the second-most in NFL history for a first season with a team behind only Eric Dickerson (18).^[7] He finished the year with 1,699 yards (a 4.5 ypc avg) and 17 rushing touchdowns, which set a team record for touchdowns in a season. He is the first Atlanta Falcon in history to start and finish a season with 200 yard rushing performances (220 against Detroit week 1 and 208 against St. Louis week 17). He also tied for 2nd for the AP NFL MVP award, of which Peyton Manning won.

[edit] External links

• Atlanta Falcons bio