PWT36
Cheesehead
Pack is interested observers in race for Turner By PG T Pelissera
By Tom Pelissero
[email protected]
The Packers haven't entered the Michael Turner sweepstakes, but where San Diego's backup running back lands could determine whether another veteran ends up in Green Bay.
Turner, a restricted free agent, was in Tennessee on Monday to visit one of several teams that have inquired about signing him or trading for him.
The Packers aren't one of those teams, Turner's agent, Bus Cook, said Monday afternoon.
But a deal with Tennessee could pave the way to Green Bay for free agent Chris Brown, who was close to a deal to return to the Titans before the team set up visits this week with Turner and Corey Dillon.
"Obviously, the (zone) blocking scheme up there (in Green Bay) fits Chris' style," Ryan Morgan, one of Brown's agents, said Monday afternoon.
"He's a big back, but he's also pretty explosive and has got pretty good wheels. He can make that (first) cut and go."
Like the Titans, who released Travis Henry in the offseason, the Packers need a starting running back because Ahman Green bolted for the Houston Texans. Turner, 25, is the biggest name left on the market.
A former fifth-round draft pick who has 941 yards rushing in three seasons playing behind NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, Turner received a one-year, $2.35 million tender from San Diego, meaning any team that signs him would owe the Chargers first- and third-round draft picks. But San Diego is believed to be willing to deal Turner for less — perhaps a second-round pick and a player — because he will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2007 season.
"I have to believe Turner will be dealt before the draft. San Diego is right on the verge (of a Super Bowl run)," said agent Doug Hendrickson, who represents another free-agent back, Kevan Barlow.
"Could they play it safe in case something happens to (Tomlinson)? Yeah. But if you have a chance to get value and fill another need (through a trade), you can find another back in the middle rounds to replace (Turner)."
Still, the Packers have shown little or no interest. They're believed to be sizing up the top backs in the draft — Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson and California's Marshawn Lynch are considered first-round locks — and maintained publicly that they're comfortable with starter-by-default Vernand Morency.
It seems they've also kept an eye on Brown — Morgan said he has had a number of discussions with members of the Packers' personnel department, most recently last week — who continues to draw interest from the Buffalo Bills and two other teams Morgan wouldn't name.
Buffalo and the New York Jets reportedly are interested in Turner as well.
Brown, 25, rushed for a combined 1,918 yards for the Titans in 2004 and '05 — including 148 yards and two touchdowns in a 48-27 Titans win in 2004 at Lambeau Field. But he battled injuries and totaled only 156 yards in five games last season. He is dividing his offseason training between Tennessee and Chicago, Morgan said, adding his client will be flexible about contract terms if he can compete for a starting job.
"We're not putting any time restraints on it," Morgan said. "We want to make sure the deal we do is the right deal."
Hendrickson said he hasn't heard anything from the Packers about Barlow, 28, since preliminary talks last month. Buffalo, Tennessee and the Indianapolis Colts remain in the picture, Hendrickson said.
Dillon, 32, reportedly will fly to Tennessee today and visit with Titans officials on Wednesday.
Press-Gazette reporter Pete Dougherty contributed to this report.
By Tom Pelissero
[email protected]
The Packers haven't entered the Michael Turner sweepstakes, but where San Diego's backup running back lands could determine whether another veteran ends up in Green Bay.
Turner, a restricted free agent, was in Tennessee on Monday to visit one of several teams that have inquired about signing him or trading for him.
The Packers aren't one of those teams, Turner's agent, Bus Cook, said Monday afternoon.
But a deal with Tennessee could pave the way to Green Bay for free agent Chris Brown, who was close to a deal to return to the Titans before the team set up visits this week with Turner and Corey Dillon.
"Obviously, the (zone) blocking scheme up there (in Green Bay) fits Chris' style," Ryan Morgan, one of Brown's agents, said Monday afternoon.
"He's a big back, but he's also pretty explosive and has got pretty good wheels. He can make that (first) cut and go."
Like the Titans, who released Travis Henry in the offseason, the Packers need a starting running back because Ahman Green bolted for the Houston Texans. Turner, 25, is the biggest name left on the market.
A former fifth-round draft pick who has 941 yards rushing in three seasons playing behind NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, Turner received a one-year, $2.35 million tender from San Diego, meaning any team that signs him would owe the Chargers first- and third-round draft picks. But San Diego is believed to be willing to deal Turner for less — perhaps a second-round pick and a player — because he will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2007 season.
"I have to believe Turner will be dealt before the draft. San Diego is right on the verge (of a Super Bowl run)," said agent Doug Hendrickson, who represents another free-agent back, Kevan Barlow.
"Could they play it safe in case something happens to (Tomlinson)? Yeah. But if you have a chance to get value and fill another need (through a trade), you can find another back in the middle rounds to replace (Turner)."
Still, the Packers have shown little or no interest. They're believed to be sizing up the top backs in the draft — Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson and California's Marshawn Lynch are considered first-round locks — and maintained publicly that they're comfortable with starter-by-default Vernand Morency.
It seems they've also kept an eye on Brown — Morgan said he has had a number of discussions with members of the Packers' personnel department, most recently last week — who continues to draw interest from the Buffalo Bills and two other teams Morgan wouldn't name.
Buffalo and the New York Jets reportedly are interested in Turner as well.
Brown, 25, rushed for a combined 1,918 yards for the Titans in 2004 and '05 — including 148 yards and two touchdowns in a 48-27 Titans win in 2004 at Lambeau Field. But he battled injuries and totaled only 156 yards in five games last season. He is dividing his offseason training between Tennessee and Chicago, Morgan said, adding his client will be flexible about contract terms if he can compete for a starting job.
"We're not putting any time restraints on it," Morgan said. "We want to make sure the deal we do is the right deal."
Hendrickson said he hasn't heard anything from the Packers about Barlow, 28, since preliminary talks last month. Buffalo, Tennessee and the Indianapolis Colts remain in the picture, Hendrickson said.
Dillon, 32, reportedly will fly to Tennessee today and visit with Titans officials on Wednesday.
Press-Gazette reporter Pete Dougherty contributed to this report.