By Michael Cunningham

FLOWERY BRANCH–Falcons center Todd McClure doesn’t want to hear about how Atlanta’s failure to convert short runs for first downs against the Saints yesterday paralleled their inability to do the same in the 2012 playoffs against the Giants.

The Falcons couldn’t convert a third-and-short run in the fourth quarter against the Saints and then opted to try three straight passes at the one-yard line with a chance to win the game. McClure bristled at the suggestion that there were similarities to the Giants game.

“That’s two totally different ballgames,” McClure said. “That’s what [ticks] me off more than anything is you guys are going to write about how bad we are up front and that we can’t get in the end zone. But there’s more to it than just blocking up front, and that’s all I’m going to say about that.

“I get really frustrated when I hear things and read things knowing there’s more to it than five guys up front but we take the brunt of the blame. I don’t want to talk about that anymore because I don’t want to say anything I regret.”

The Falcons managed 46 yards on just 18 carries against the Saints, who were the worst team in the league against the run entering the game. Atlanta running back Michael Turner, who was dropped for a loss of one yard on third down during the penultimate possession, gained just 15 yards on 13 carries.

McClure didn’t elaborate on the issues in the running game but said the struggles are about the offense overall not just the line.

“It is in every aspect of it,” he said. “But we get the ball on the one, we are expected to get it in. I just get frustrated sometimes the past couple years. There’s more to it than just lining up and blocking the guys wherever they line up. And that’s it. I can’t talk about it anymore.”

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whatever McClure...if you block the guys then we would get 1 yard.  If the rb is getting hit as he is being handed the football then who are we supposed to blame?  the OLine.  Shut up and do better or retire!

"The Falcons managed 46 yards on just 18 carries against the Saints, who were the worst team in the league against the run entering the game. Atlanta running back Michael Turner, who was dropped for a loss of one yard on third down during the penultimate possession, gained just 15 yards on 13 carries"

McClure needs to JSTFU...a simple "no comment" response would've sufficed, the line-play speaks enough for itself during the course of a game...particularly Sunday's. 

He has always been a liability in the run game IMO, but he is a sacred cow that cant be criticised .....Turner needs to get his chit together as well, but there were several plodding runs where the Taints were creeping and jumping the run that Ryan should have checked out of and hit Roddy on a quik slant for a TD, bottom line I'm ready for less of Turner, if its 3rd and 1, I would much rather see us go 4/5 wide than in a power set with Turner......

When I 1st read the title, I thought tapate was sayin' "Todd McClure F'd Up..." and I was quite inclined to agree.

Gatom wrote: We need the fridge.

Lol, if only we had the '85 Bears OL !

O.K. tom - maybe I'll get ya here/now with this bit o trivia... Where'd Ditka get the idea to "Fridge" on short yardage situations ?

have to say mt was getting hit as soon as the ball was giving to him

1) Don't throw your teammates under the bus, even if it really isn't your fault.

2) Don't throw your teammates under the bus when it's clear to anyone with eyes that you bear a good bit of the blame.

I rewatched all of turners runs,if there was decent blocking, he gained yards. Our line gets no push from the center to the rit,but they were overloaded at times too.... we have multiple run game problems.

When I read the article I wondered if he was talking about scheme and not about Turner.