Feb

28

Turner the Burner

Posted by Charger_Girl

February 28, 2008 |

After months of receiving The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated in my mailbox and having to repeatedly look at the mugs of the Patriots, Eli Manning, and basketball players, it was a pleasant surprise to receive this week’s TSN issue and see Michael Turner gracing the cover (and another one to add to my collection!)

It is no surprise that Turner is the absolute best backup RB in the league today, and will obviously become a starter for the 2008 season….but where?  As a restricted free agent last season, the Chargers put a very high price tag on him, but now, as an unrestricted free agent, the sky’s the limit for Turner.

Among the teams showing interest are the Texans, Bears and Buccaneers; followed by the Cardinals, Cowboys, Seahawks, and Titans.  For Turner, Chicago is his hometown, and the Bears’ lack of confidence in Chester Taylor will obviously have a big impact.  Houston has struggled with an oft-injured Ahman Green and an old Ron Dayne.  Tampa Bay’s Cadillac Williams has never quite fully recovered from his torn patellar tendon.  Turner would make a great partner to Arizona’s Edgerrin James.  Seattle’s Shaun Alexander hasn’t looked himself since his most recent injury.  As for Dallas and Tennessee, I’m not quite sure what’s going on there because: a) I don’t like either team, and b) they probably have some contracts ending and may choose to look elsewhere at the RB position.

Turner’s persona is unlike a lot of great players.  He is a quiet, laid-back guy who doesn’t get riled too easily.  “He just loved to play,” commented his college coach Joe Novak, who recently retired from Northern Illinois.  Ergo, a fiery, vocal leader he isn’t, but a leader he is.  (Hey, they can’t all be Shawne Merriman, can they??)

Turner recently underwent rotator cuff surgery and will be rehabbing in the offseason; however, at 26 years old, he has managed to avoid a lot of the wear and tear that many starting RBs have suffered.  He also likes to mention that he can carry the ball in excess of 50 times per game; however, doing such in college is so much different than against an NFL team with a powerful defense.  Still, Turner has proven, in his years with the Chargers, that he has so much to offer any team as a starter.  I, personally, will never forget the game in Indy in 2005 when Turner broke tackles for a 60+ yard run to hand the Colts their first loss of the season in week 15. 

Wherever Turner goes, I know he will bring success.  I’m sure the Chargers hate to see him go, but he is too good to play backup in the league.

(Source:  Barber, Phil. “Turner is Primed for Starting Shot.” SportingNews.com)

Turner the Burner


Comments

1 Comment so far

  1. Steve Alexander on February 28, 2008 8:03 pm

    Whoever lands Turner will no doubt get themselves a stud back for years to come.

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