In his first season as a full-time starter, Michael Turner validated the Falcons’ decision to sign him to a lucrative long-term contract, as he instantly became the foundation of their offense and earned a Pro Bowl nod. After inking a six-year, $34.5 million deal, Turner led all backs with 376 carries and took the pressure off rookie QB Matt Ryan as he adjusted to life in the pros, gaining 1,699 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns.

Expectations for the club, and Turner, have risen to new heights after a playoff berth last season. PFW spoke to Turner on June 18 as he walked off the field from the Falcons’ final practice before training camp.

PFW: When you’re at practice, talking to teammates and listening to coaches, is there any difference you sense between last year and this one?

Turner: This season, there’s a lot of confidence. It’s a more comfortable atmosphere right now. When I say that I mean everyone knows each other and their capabilities and knows the coaching staff. Everything seems more put in place now. It’s not all up in the air with all the question marks we had last year.

PFW: Is the team confident, but not overconfident?

Turner: All the guys out here are still working hard and still trying to get better, so I don’t think there’s any overconfidence. I think every guy here understands that we’re not sneaking up anybody anymore.

PFW: How will the addition of Tony Gonzalez help you and change the way the offense looks?

Turner: It’s going to help the running game and the passing game to have a guy like Tony Gonzalez. He’s a Hall of Fame tight end. Teams have to play us more honest now. Last year teams were trying to stop the run, putting eight or nine guys in the box, trying to make Matt (Ryan) beat them. We won some games by throwing the ball a little bit. Adding Tony is just going to add to the elements of this offense even more.

PFW: You carried the ball more than any other back in the league last season. Do you think the team will try to get (backup) Jerious Norwood more carries to take some of the load off your shoulders or are you comfortable taking the ball just as many times as you did last season?

Turner: I prepare as if I’m going to have 400 carries every year. Anything less than that is beneficial to me. We have a lot of weapons on this offense, so I’m pretty sure coach is going to get other guys the ball more. I think our offense was probably limited a little bit at the beginning of last year with a rookie quarterback, but as the year went on we brought him along and opened the playbook more and more and this year we’re doing that full-time right off the bat.

PFW: Would you be OK with getting fewer carries or is that a point of pride for you?

Turner: It’s all about winning football games. I’m going to do my job and be ready when my number’s called. That’s all that matters.

PFW: You guys got a taste of the playoffs last season and it didn’t go so well. Expectations are high for this year. Has taking that next step into contention been the theme for the offseason?

Turner: Oh yeah. We don’t want to take a step back, that’s for sure. Teams have a window of opportunity for so long. We want to take advantage of the opportunity we have right now. We have a pretty good group right now. Last year we laid down the foundation, now we’re trying to build on it this year.

PFW: How do you feel about this division. Can you win it?

Turner: It’s going to be a tough task to win this division. Carolina, New Orleans, ourselves, Tampa — last year we were supposed to be rebuilding too and we came out with 11 wins, so you can’t count anybody out. Every team in this division is capable of winning it.