Turner, other new Falcons make debut

FLOWERY BRANCH --
It wasn't quite the point of view Michael Turner hoped to have for his first practice as an Atlanta Falcons player.

"Yeah, the first day, everybody wants to see what the big fuss is about," said Turner, the Falcons' newest running back, signed after a four-year stint in San Diego. "Now, you don't want to miss any day period, but especially not that first day ... not when you're a new guy."

Turner, one of several fresh faces gracing the new-look Falcons this coming season, was at the team's Flowery Branch practice facility Monday morning, taking part in the Falcons' first veterans mini-camp of the spring.

The former Northern Illinois standout is nursing a post-operative shoulder injury, and he said he is expected to make a full recovery before training camp in July.

Signed March 2 as an unrestricted free agent, Turner joins the Falcons after spending the past four years backing up Chargers superstar LaDainian Tomlinson. Filling in for the injured Tomlinson during last year's postseason, Turner tallied 164 rushing yards.

Releasing veteran rusher Warrick Dunn earlier this offseason, Atlanta hopes the power-running Turner will work well in tandem with young, third-year finesse running back Jerious Norwood.

"We're two different guys, two different styles of running," Turner said. "So you know that's always tough on a defense, they can't just prepare for one guy every week. That's something to throw them off their toes and keep them guessing a bit."

Along with Turner, the Falcons also have welcomed nine other players signed during the unrestricted free agency period, including one homegrown talent, longtime Denver Broncos kicker, Jason Elam.

Elam grew up in Snellville and attended north metro Atlanta's Brookwood High School. After signing a four-year, $9 million contract with the Falcons, it's likely Elam will end his already illustrious 14-year career in Atlanta.

"I'm excited about it," Elam said. "It's kind of a dream come true. I grew up a Falcons fan. When I got dressed this morning, I said, 'It feels kind of weird to look down and put this red jersey on.'"

The place-kicker holds several NFL records, including a tie for the record longest field goal, a 63-yard kick in Denver against Jacksonville in October 1998.

As the Falcons continue to distance themselves from last season's 4-12 debacle that followed the Michael Vick dog-fighting drama, they hope bringing on these new names and faces will be a big factor in that equation.

"Everybody's got a fresh start," Turner said. "Everybody's feeling rejuvenated a little bit, and everybody is excited and ready to roll."