Chargers' Turner being pursued by Bills, Cowboys, ans, Jets

[ducks]

Chargers' Turner being pursued by Bills, Cowboys, ans, Jets


By Kevin Acee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

March 31, 2007

The Chargers are dealing with four suitors for backup running back Michael Turner, sources said, and Turner's agent has spoken with at least one of those teams in hopes of getting a long-term deal done.

Buffalo, Dallas, Tennessee and the New York Jets have shown interest in acquiring the restricted free agent. All appear willing to part at least with a first-round draft pick, but sources indicated the Chargers are still seeking two picks – in the first and third rounds.

The New York Giants, who need a running back, also could enter the fray before next month's draft. A source said yesterday that contrary to numerous media reports, the Green Bay Packers have not shown interest in Turner.

Turner and his agent, Bus Cook, will have much say in where Turner ends up. No team is going to give up draft picks for Turner, 25, without first securing a long-term deal with him.

“I know in our mind what it's going to take to get him signed,” Cook said yesterday.

The agent denied contact with any teams, but multiple sources said he had spoken with at least one of the interested clubs. That is believed to be the Bills, who pick 12th in the first round and have two third-round picks.

The tender the Chargers placed on Turner earlier this month requires any team that signs him to a free-agent deal to give the Chargers a first-and a third-round pick. The Chargers would also have the right to match any offer Turner received, but with league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson as their starting tailback, they would instead take the draft picks.

As General Manager A.J. Smith knew it would be, the first-and-third tender has been too steep for potential suitors. While Smith is content to keep Turner (at a cost of $2.35 million for the 2007 season) as a fill-in and insurance, he is willing to trade Turner for the right price.

According to sources, the Chargers could be open to a first-rounder this year and a third-rounder next year, or a third this year and a first next year. Any team signing Turner as a free agent would have to give up the first and third in this year's draft, which would nearly wipe out the first day of its draft.

Smith declined to comment other than to say the price “is a one and a three right now. I'm flexible to all thoughts.”

Turner has not been attending the Chargers' voluntary workouts the past two weeks for fear of injuring himself before a trade can be worked out.

The Chargers would lose Turner for virtually nothing after the '07 season. On the other side, Turner and Cook also must decide whether they want to risk injury while playing out this season.

[mardigan]

ans | Team ready to talk trade with Chargers for M. Turner
Wed, 4 Apr 2007 06:36:02 -0700

Teresa M. Walker, of The Associated Press, reports the Tennessee ans remain interested in San Diego Chargers restricted free agent RB Michael Turner after meeting with him Monday, April 2, and have begun trade talks with the Chargers. "We've had some general discussions with Bus as far as compensation and with San Diego to see what they might want," ans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said of Turner's agent, Bus Cook. "Everything is under discussion."

[degenerate_gambler]

SD is asking alot for a former 5th round draft choice with a total of 157 carries in three seasons.

[mardigan]

With that said should we assume LenDale White is a bust?

Considering that people in the franchise have started calling him Lendale Weight, I would say yes. By the way, the Cowboys are not going to be bringing him in

[TheSanityAnnex]

SD is asking alot for a former 5th round draft choice with a total of 157 carries in three seasons.

Check the total yardage of those 157 carries.

[ducks]

SD is asking alot for a former 5th round draft choice with a total of 157 carries in three seasons.

what happens when he is a restrictive fa

[mardigan]

Check the total yardage of those 157 carries.

He could be damn good, but it still does seem like a lot for an unproven back. But he does look damn good when he does play. If the ans can work something else out where they dont have to give up their 3rd as well, I say do it, your not going to find a better running back in this years draft with that 19th pick.

[leemajors]

usc greatness in the nfl.

[mardigan]

usc greatness in the nfl.

Who?

[degenerate_gambler]

Who?

why reggie and matty of course.

[mardigan]

why reggie and matty of course.

Yea, but where in the f did that come from? And Lienart sucks anyway

[leemajors]

lendale white = evidence of the greatness.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

He could be damn good, but it still does seem like a lot for an unproven back. But he does look damn good when he does play. If the ans can work something else out where they dont have to give up their 3rd as well, I say do it, your not going to find a better running back in this years draft with that 19th pick.

Saying that you won't find a better back in the draft is pure conjecture.

I don't see why teams are willing to part with such high picks for a backup RB. It's not like Turner is a proven commodity or unrestricted. Turner is almost as much of a risk as a draft pick would be.

Makes no sense to me...

[TheTruth]

I wouldn't give up that much for a back that has put up good numbers against teams in the 4th quarter of blowouts. Turner is a nice looking RB, but I wouldn't give up a first for the guy.

[Guru of Nothing]

I wouldn't give up that much for a back that has put up good numbers against teams in the 4th quarter of blowouts. Turner is a nice looking RB, but I wouldn't give up a first for the guy.

Turner is a stud in waiting. If I'm San Diego, I get the best deal possible for Turner - THIS YEAR - so that Denver does not go after Turner as an UNrestricted FA next year.

I think Buffalo makes the deal within the next week or so, if not sooner.

[mardigan]

Turner is a stud in waiting. If I'm San Diego, I get the best deal possible for Turner - THIS YEAR - so that Denver does not go after Turner as an UNrestricted FA next year.

I think Buffalo makes the deal within the next week or so, if not sooner.

Im thinking the ans will make a move, maybe before Mon. They put off their meeting with Dillon becausethey are trying to get this done quickly. I bet that the Chargers get their 1st, maybe their 4th, and a player for him

[Guru of Nothing]

Im thinking the ans will make a move, maybe before Mon. They put off their meeting with Dillon becausethey are trying to get this done quickly. I bet that the Chargers get their 1st, maybe their 4th, and a player for him

Tennessee should burn their draft picks on defense.

I think San Diego gets a 2nd AND a 3rd from Buffalo for Turner.

[TheTruth]

Turner is a stud in waiting. If I'm San Diego, I get the best deal possible for Turner - THIS YEAR - so that Denver does not go after Turner as an UNrestricted FA next year.

I think Buffalo makes the deal within the next week or so, if not sooner.

Of course san diego should get the best deal possible, but he's not worth a 1st.

[TheTruth]

Tennessee should burn their draft picks on defense.

I think San Diego gets a 2nd AND a 3rd from Buffalo for Turner.

man, san diego has a knack for fleecing teams out of their draft picks. I hope this doesn't come true. I don't like their front office to have any more picks than they should have. They seem to turn them into good players more often than not.

[Pugglekicker_21]

In 04' they turned those picks into Nate Kaeding, Shawne Merriman, and have a QB of the future in rivers, while the G men got stuck with Manning the Lesser..

Im no completely sold on turner...but I think he has something....like a 6.5 career rushing per play avg...

I get the best deal possible for Turner - THIS YEAR - so that Denver does not go after Turner as an UNrestricted FA next year.

Why would they? they have Bell and Henry....

If I needed a Michael Turner, Id wait till next year...