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Shutdown Corner - NFL

Shutdown Corner

Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:36 am EDT

Sunday's five least valuable players: Michael Turner, not burning

By MJD

1. Michael Turner(notes), Running Back, Atlanta Falcons. A year after scorching through the league, Turner still can't get anything going with the Falcons. The "slow start" phase has passed. Now, he's getting into "just not very good" territory. He's 15th in the league in yards per game, despite being fourth in carries per game. He's getting 3.4 a carry. Meanwhile, Jason Snelling(notes) took seven carries from him on Sunday and turned then into 68 yards. It's a smaller sample size, obviously (19 carries), but Snelling's getting 6.4 a carry. That turns up the heat on Turner a little bit.

2. Matt Cassel(notes), Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs. Cassel was really bad against the Chargers, but honestly, the bigger question here is how Cassell has managed to not have more games like that. The Kansas City offensive line is brutal. Even after yesterday's performance (10-of-25, 97 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions) against a thus-far weak San Diego defense, Cassel still has an 8-to-5 touchdown to interception ratio on the year. That's actually kind of incredible.

3. Chad Henne(notes), Quarterback, Miami Dolphins. Doug pointed out that the Dolphins got a little pass-happy at odd times in the game yesterday. Whether or not that was a bad decision (and it was), it was still incumbent on Chad Henne to make some throws, and he didn't. The Saints were stacking the line and absolutely daring the Dolphins to throw, and it turned out to be a great strategy. Yes, Ted Ginn not coming up with that ball that turned into an interception by Darren Sharper(notes) hurt the cause, but still, Henne didn't do his job. He went 11-for-26 in the second half, with two interceptions. If he's even decent in the second half, the Fish win that game.

4. Kenny Moore, Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers. Kenny Moore is the guy who muffed the punt that erased any chance the Panthers had of coming back against the Bills yesterday, but let's be honest: Even if Moore fields it cleanly, the ball eventually ends up in the hands of Jake Delhomme(notes), and he was probably going to turn it over anyway. Don't beat yourself up over it, Kenny Moore.

5. William Gay(notes), cornerback, Pittsburgh Steelers. Gay was a winner yesterday, even though Brett Favre(notes) did abuse him a couple of times. Still, the main purpose of his inclusion here is to show the following video. Ka. Boom.

Related: Jason Snelling, Matt Cassel, Michael Turner, Jake Delhomme, Brett Favre, Chad Henne, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Most and Least Valuable

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69 Comments

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  1. Ranger275
    1. Posted by Ranger275 Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:12 am EDT

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    [profane] Peterson is nasty.
  2. Mike
    2. Posted by Mike Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:01 am EDT

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    Not really fair to Henne, the Dolphins receivers had tons of drops and otherwise idiotic plays like the illegal forward pass, or the center false starting; he was given no chance. Ted Ginn in particular dropped a sure fire first down pass, which is at least the second time I've seen him blow a huge play late (SNF vs the Colts drop in the endzone is the other). That must be the reason the Dolphins run the ball so much, their receiving corps is absolutely dreadful.
    And let's not forget that the Phins were only in the game because Brees was being pretty un-Brees like on this particular afternoon. It's not too often you'll catch him being responsible for four turnovers.
  3. nightfly52271
    3. Posted by nightfly52271 Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:04 am EDT

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    Gay doesn't belong here for taking a tough hit from a powerful back. Speaking of Peterson, he only got 1 TD and 69 yards against a defense missing Aaron Smith and then Travis Kirschke later in the game. Perhaps when the most prolific RB in the league gets these numbers against fill in players HE belongs on this list. Who failed more dramatically to fulfill their potential in this game, Gay or Peterson?
  4. Thomas
    4. Posted by Thomas Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:09 am EDT

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    This list should have been all 5 members of the Bears OL.
  5. MarkT
    5. Posted by MarkT Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:42 am EDT

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    Who would have ever guessed that the QB with NO COLLEGE GAMES under his belt would struggle without Randy Moss? Time to give Brodie Croyle another try.
  6. atvman
    6. Posted by atvman Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:45 am EDT

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    I agree with number 3, Gay doesn't belong here. What about SF QB Shaun Hill? SF almost made a remarkable comeback after they benched Hill. He deserves a spot here more than Gay does.
  7. adam s
    7. Posted by adam s Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:48 am EDT

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    Peterson also had 69 yards receiving against that defense, and 129 total yards ain't bad. Face it, he crushed Gay and is still the best running back in football. They lost to a good team after going undefeated until then. Peterson is young and is only one man, he can't win games by himself. Actually....give him two years and he might be able to.
  8. John
    8. Posted by John Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:00 am EDT

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    Its not like Miamis coaching scheme put the game into Henne's hands until it was too late and forced him to produce. 4 dropped passses by miami and idiotic penalties took away the rest. Hennes only option was to be more than perfect.
  9. dillonk
    9. Posted by dillonk Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:12 am EDT

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    #3, Peterson put his team in a position to tie or win the game with this THIRD DOWN run. He racked up over 100 total yards, and he scored a TD against a great defense. He didnt turn it over twice at the end of the game. How can you say he was one of the five LEAST valuable players
  10. keith k
    10. Posted by keith k Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:44 am EDT

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    Really....bad call on Henne here. The Saints threw just as many interceptions...if Miami had won would Brees be number 3 on your list?
    Defense and penalties caused the Dolphins loss, and nobody seems to mention that Henne's 2nd interception happened on a play where multiple refs blew the whistle and threw flags BEFORE the pass was thrown. That should have been a dead play, loss of yards, and Miami down by 6 with a long 4th down (since they lost 2nd down on an equally horrible penalty call when the ball went out of bounds). If anything, the refs should be #3 on your list...they gave the Saints a win.
  11. Max_Powers
    11. Posted by Max_Powers Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:46 am EDT

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    Gay got abused by Peterson but had quite a few good tackles and covers. I get wanting to show the video, but it really doesn't belong here. AD does that to at least 2-3 players in every game he plays. He got one in Pittsburgh.
    And don't get too high on yourselves Vikings fans, the stats from the game are misleading. The Steelers would have had the ball more if they weren't busy scoring at the end of Favre's 4th qtr drives, lol.
  12. konandy66
    12. Posted by konandy66 Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:23 am EDT

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    Don't know who "MJD" is but he has to be inbred or a new graduate of Labor Ready to say something so stupid as what he did about Chad Henne. No, moron, he was as good as he could be given what he was. ted ginn and Fasano both dropped passes. That's called "THE RECEIVER'S FAULT!" Idiot.......I swear, if we were to just exterminate these scum media in this country we'd be so much the better.
  13. Dan the TEA Man
    13. Posted by Dan the TEA Man Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:31 am EDT

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    If Chad Henne had Dan Marino's receiving corps, he'd be doing just fine. The offense AS A UNIT self-destructed on their final drive. And as the writer already suggested, the Dolphins O coordinator called too many pass plays with such a big lead.
  14. Bruce V
    14. Posted by Bruce V Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:32 am EDT

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    Props to AP for that run, but I suspect if you ask him if his performance was sub-par he would agree it was and give the credit to the Stillers defense for holding him in check. Does AP belong on the 5 LVP list - no, but neither does Gay. Big props to the Stillers defense for winning the game.
  15. Dan
    15. Posted by Dan Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:35 am EDT

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    henne wasn't that bad. the team around him was dropping passes left and right.
  16. Oliver Klosov
    16. Posted by Oliver Klosov Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:36 am EDT

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    Nice list - let's see - Atlanta has had problems along the front all season, but it's the RB's fault?? Dumb-ass... KC is in the exact same boat - guy went from a team that has a top-5 OL to a bottom-5 OL, but it's Cassel's fault?? Dumb-ass... Miami is playing there BACKUP QB!! He isn't supposed to be as good as the starter - who they need to protect by running the Wildcat, just to keep the DEF guessing - and the WR/RB are dropping balls left and right.. but it's Henne's fault?? Dumb-ass Carolina and who?? Please, tell me you are kidding... Dumb-ass William Gay has played VERY well, considering that he just doesn't have the skills to be a top CB, and you want to blame him for having the balls to put his head down and try to stop AP, when most CB's would have given him the Matador "O'le!!!" and let him go past?? Yeah... no doubt - you are a Dumb-ass....
    YAHOO!!! SHUT THIS CORNER DOWN!!!!
  17. Dave
    17. Posted by Dave Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:02 am EDT

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    I love the Moore comment because it is so true! Poor kid musta felt like absolute crap, but I'm sure we woulda muffed the comeback some other way....maybe he's the only reason the Panthers are still up in the air on benching Jake.
  18. TB
    18. Posted by TB Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:10 am EDT

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    I don't blame Henne at all.I like his poise and arm.Sure he may have thown an in and the receiver ran an out,that stuff will right itself over time.Ginn absolutely is an unreliable receiver and cost us in several games.And Ronnies wildcat throw should have been caught as well.People say we caught the Saints in looking ahead week, but what about giving the fins alittle credit....but now we really have to win to show that we can hang with the big boys.
  19. vc
    19. Posted by vc Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:17 am EDT

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    Do you guys read?
    "The main purpose of his inclusion here is to show the following video."
    Morons--let me try to be as clear as possible about this. This is an opinion blog. MJD wants to show the video (which was ridiculous). So he puts the guy who got mauled on the list. End of story.
    Jesus, where do these armchair Quarterbacks come from?
  20. bigrobagain
    20. Posted by bigrobagain Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:23 am EDT

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    I'm a huge Steeler fan and I have to replay the run(over) by Peterson because it was just too nasty not to appreciate! Any fan of big hits had to LOVE that play. Every Steeler fan LOVED the next play also! (defensive TD) GO STEELERS
  21. swanson_71
    21. Posted by swanson_71 Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:27 am EDT

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    #3 is an absolute idiot. Minnesota scored only 1 TD all day and that was from Peterson. Peterson had 109 total yards, and he put Minnesota in field goal position to tie the game! Peterson is the reason Minnesota was in the game, along with Brett Favre of course throwing to 300+...If anyone would should be least valuable it's chester talor because it was the pass that went through his hands that landed in Pittsburg's hands! I like Taylor, but if anyone from the pittsburg/minnesota game deserves to be up there it's him!
  22. swanson_71
    22. Posted by swanson_71 Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:27 am EDT

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    #3 is an absolute idiot. Minnesota scored only 1 TD all day and that was from Peterson. Peterson had 109 total yards, and he put Minnesota in field goal position to tie the game! Peterson is the reason Minnesota was in the game, along with Brett Favre of course throwing to 300+...If anyone would should be least valuable it's chester talor because it was the pass that went through his hands that landed in Pittsburg's hands! I like Taylor, but if anyone from the pittsburg/minnesota game deserves to be up there it's him!
  23. smilieface77
    23. Posted by smilieface77 Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:39 am EDT

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    Just had to say sweet hit by AP. I wish it had led to a TD though.

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