As arguably the best back-up running back in the NFL, the loss of Michael Turner is, well, a pretty big one. I hear rumbling from lots of fans that,"we should have kept him", or "the front office doesn't want to spend the money". While it would have been nice (ideal, even) to keep him around, was it realistic? Hardly. We all know that San Diego sports are mid-market, at best. Let's all just agree to get used to that now. With that in mind, look at the contract Turner got. Tell me the Chargers should have signed him for that kind of money instead of putting it to use elsewhere. I dare you. Especially when you consider what the draft status is like for the team. Having a limited number of pics this year, if the Chargers want to continue to make improvements, they are going to have to do it through free agency. That being said, if the team doesn't do anything in the way of free agent acquisition, I'll be right there with the rest of you, looking for heads. I am as guilty as the next guy for grumbling about some of the moves the front office makes. This one, I am good with.
Now, let's pretend that money was not an issue. Could the team have kept Michael Turner? Not likely. Turner is a professional athlete. An ambitious competitor. A man. I believe he never intended to stay. He knows any playing time is going to be limited. That's what happens when you are on the same team as the best back in the NFL. Turner wants to start, like any football player would. Not to speak for the man, but I think he stayed last year because he saw opportunity at the Big Dance. However, there comes a time when you have to think about yourself and your career. I doubt he wants to be known as a career back-up, knowing that he could start on a lot of teams. If you ask me, he showed a lot more loyalty than was necessary sticking around last year. Speaking of loyalty...one of the things that I, as a native San Diegan and lifelong Charger/Padre fan, love about our teams is community. We don't have Steinbrenner money to throw around, or dynastic heratige either (or a single ring for that matter), but we always seem to gather up good guys. Likeable players, sans major egos, who go out and play hard. You know, a team. And in this era of free agency, that's pretty rare. So why don't we, as fans, show a little loyalty ourselves. Turner was a part of this team. He gave us several good years, even if it was only as a back-up. Out of respect for that, we should let him see what he can really do, as a starter.
As personnel losses go, this is fairly big. But only time will tell exactly how significant it really is. Besides, now he's going to be a major sleeper in the fantasy draft.
