As the NFL draft approaches and the Michael Turner soup starts to boil, Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith has put on his cowboy hat and scarf, has his six-shooter packed by his side and is standing tall in the saddle. He's in full John Wayne mode. It becomes him.
Put it this way: If you want what he's got, don't plan on robbery. Isn't going to happen while The Duke's wearing the badge and holding the ace.
Turner, as you well know by now, is tailback LaDainian Tomlinson's backup, but he's no ordinary reserve. He's real good. He's averaged 6 yards a carry. But he's a restricted free agent, meaning he can talk to any team in The League. If an offer is made, the Chargers can match it to keep him. If no deal is forthcoming and Turner returns, he's unrestricted next year and probably will leave.
Thing is, knowing Turner's value, Smith has put first-and third-round draft tenders on him, meaning the club that wants Turner would have to give up those picks. Smith, normally about as flexible as a diamond, seems willing to bend a bit, but he still wants plenty. Don't bother bringing the wool close to his eyes.
“It's still a 1 and a 3,” says Smith, now busy working with his scouts on the April 28-29 draft. “I'm flexible. What I mean is that I recognize that a 1 and a 3 would paralyze a team's draft. So work with us.
“Six teams are still very interested. I can only tell you two, Buffalo and Tennessee, because they don't care if it's known. I'm sworn to secrecy on the others. They're trying to stay under the radar. A lot of people are scared to death to let it out. I'm amazed this is going on, but I told them I'd only verify if you come out. Teams love me because of that. I tell them I'd like to have a 1 and a 3 in '07 or '08. You guys decide what it's worth.”
Turner has visited and worked out for Buffalo and Tennessee, who for some ridiculous reason allowed their most productive runners to leave after the season. So they need a back, and there aren't many available in this draft – perhaps none with Turner's ability. He's also a dangerous kickoff return man.
Plus, unlike Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson and Cal's Marshawn Lynch, Turner, who just turned 25, is a known commodity. Over three seasons, he has carried the ball 157 times for 941 yards. Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden calls Peterson the best running back prospect he's seen in many years, but I'm not sure he's better than Turner. Peterson runs upright and is not immune to injury. Turner is fresh.
Anyway, the quest for Turner has not ceased, not by any means. But we might not know for certain until draft day. As Smith says, this is a three-way street between the Chargers, the suitors and Turner's agent.
“If nothing happens, I'm perfectly happy to have Michael return here at $2.35 (million),” Smith says. “He'll be a backup here and kick returner. People say A.J.'s stupid to bring him back and (eventually) let him walk. The league probably will throw me a No. 4 (compensatory pick) if that happens. I'll take a 4.
“I know what I'm doing. My mind is clear. It will only be a bonus for us if something happens. Those two teams are the front-runners, but interest from the six has been consistent two weeks before the (March) owners meetings, through the owners meetings, and now.
“I think they're going to try and get a 2 out of me. Good luck, guys. If he doesn't go anywhere, we have a great, great insurance policy.”
Smith doesn't know if he'd accept a high second-round choice. It would depend on who's available and what he's looking for.
“That would have to be very, very special,” he says. “But I'll leave that open. They may plan on giving me what I want, but that won't happen until the draft.”
Smith won't fold, because he doesn't have to. This is a GM who looks into the future. He can count cards, so he knows he has the players to win, which is why other teams covet his athletes, such as Turner, which is why he's locked so many of them up through 2009.
He won't give Turner away, and he shouldn't. He didn't give away his best back and then go looking for someone else's legs. Smith is not afraid to gamble, which sets him apart from many of his conservative brethren. But he isn't an idiot, either.
“Now the bluffing game is on,” he says, “and it could go all the way to the draft. We don't want to give up on a No. 1. It's very much on the front burner, and it hasn't subsided. The game is on now.”
Smith looks at it as he might the OK Corral. He obviously doesn't mind his image.
“Don't be stupid,” he says. “But step out there, get on your horse and ride into town. Let 'em know you're coming down the street.”
Come, Duke, the game is afoot.
Nick Canepa: (619) 293-1397; nick.canepa@uniontrib.com
