Todd McClure: 'More to it than five guys up front'

The Atlanta Falcons struggled to pick up short first downs in Sunday's loss to the New Orleans Saints. But Falcons center Todd McClure was upset when the blame was put on just the offensive line, according to the AJC:

"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."

Atlanta failed to convert a late 3rd-and-short. The run game as a whole was weak. Atlanta finished with 46 yards on 18 carries, despite the fact the Saints have the worst rush defense in the NFL.

Michael Turner averaged just 1.2 yards per carry. He had 15 yards on 13 carries. Jacquizz Rodgers was successful on the ground, picking up 29 yards on three carries.

Turner, who rushed for back-to-back 1,300-yard seasons in the last two seasons, is having a down season. He has 529 yards on 140 carries and four touchdowns. He's averaging just 3.8 yards per carry, which is the lowest of his nine-year career.

Sunday's loss was Atlanta's first of the season. The Falcons are 8-1 and will host Arizona (4-5) this Sunday.