Rationale for trading Turner

by GTbacker on Dec 28, 2011 5:02 PM EST

Michael Turner has been as good of a Free Agent pickup as you can have. For example look at the Eagles, not all FA pickups workout as well as Turner has over the past 4 years. He has also played a tremendous role in making Matt Ryan into Iceman, however its time to trade him.

Reason 1: Age

Michael Turner is 29 years old and turns the big 3-0 early next year. Now 30 isint the end of the road, in fact he most likely still has 2 good years of 1000 yard rushing left in him, and you need that possibility in order to be able to trade him (no one wants a used up back. You have to make sure they get something out of it too.). His age factors in when we start to converse about his burst. Its just not there anymore the example is right here: 2008 vs 2011 (no clip but you guys have watched the games).

Reason 2: Los Pesos

Turner is owed 5 million in guarantees over the next year, which isint a whole lot but in comparison Jason Snelling is looking at a FA market price of about 1.5 to 2 million a year maximum (Mularkey's ineptitude to use the backs correctly actually helps us get the cheaper in FA). Quizz mean while is owed around 557,000 a year. Both are honestly better backs as far as this year goes, and both put together will cost less than turner.

Reason 3: We can get Picks!

First off let me clear up this notion that we are going to get a first rounder for turner. No we are not. He is an aging back who has been run into the ground by the Falcons. However the good news is that a team like the Browns, or perhaps the Chiefs may be willing to give up a 2nd and a 4th to acquire this veteran to solidify their backfields. I dont need to tell you guys how those extra picks may help us. In fact i actually see a scenarion in which the browns jettison Peyton Hillis, will trade their 2nd and 4th (Clevaland's actual pick not ours) to us for Turner. In which case we have an early 2nd for top flight End or a 2nd level tackle. but we also have a 4th rounder which im assuming will be used as a tool for movement within the draft by TD.

So the long and short of this whole thing is that someone in the Falcons FO needs to pick up the phone and call the Browns. Seriously. Do it.

This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.

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Comments

I don't see us trading Turner.

He will not get any where near the draft picks you suggested. I’m thinking either a 5th or 6th rounder at most if we even think about Turner which I don’t think we will. Those teams would rather go towards the Free Agent route which is headlined by Ray Rice, Marshawn Lynch, Cedric Benson, and Mike Tolbert. Arian Foster and Matt Forte should be included but those teams are going to resign them.

Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World

by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Dec 28, 2011 6:13 PM EST reply actions

I agree, I don’t think we’d get fair value in a trade.

by Bedhead514 on Dec 28, 2011 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

Let me put it this way

Rice, Lynch, Foster and Forte will all return to their respective teams. That leaves Benson and Tolbert as the prizes of the free agent market.

Now, you’re probably right that the Falcons couldn’t get that much for Turner in a trade. Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that some team is dumb/desperate enough to give up a 2nd and a 5th. For that package, would you give Turner up and sign Tolbert?

It’s an interesting scenario, at the very least.

by Dave Choate on Dec 28, 2011 6:39 PM EST up reply actions

It's amazing at the way San Diego's backup RB are prized commodities in the league.

I see Mike Tolbert as LaDanian Tomlinson’s Michael Turner… I don’t know if that made sense, but what I’m getting at is he is basically on par with Michael Turner with added pass-catching ability. The similarities with their running ability are uncanny. Burly North-South runners with the ability to put it into second gear in the open field. They’re only a couple teams in the league needing a starting RB, and with the options few and far apart he’ll be part of much of the discussions.

Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World

by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Dec 28, 2011 6:58 PM EST up reply actions

For the sake of argument, for a second and a fifth round pick

I would pull the trigger, but I’m not sure what running back I would target in the draft this year to fill in the void left by Michael Turner. Snelling and Quizz are serviceable, but I don’t think either is capable of being the top guy in a backfield, heck, I don’t think either are capable of 200 touches a season. This makes that second round pick almost a necessity on a running back. Personally, I don’t think we get near that value if we were to put Turner on the table and realistically, we need to utilize him as best as possible for the next two years and then be ready to move on when his time as a Falcon is done.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Dec 28, 2011 10:27 PM EST up reply actions

I think he won't be traded, too

But if you could get a decent haul for him and just sign Mike Tolbert to be a platoon partner with Jacquizz Rodgers….well, it might not work at all. But it might.

by Dave Choate on Dec 28, 2011 11:10 PM EST up reply actions

Rather than sign Tolbert

what would you think if we just cut turner and drafted either Bernard Pierce or Terreance Ganaway? I like both those guys because they are big backs with a burst.

by GTbacker on Dec 29, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

I'm a Pierce fan

I think the question becomes how well you think those guys are going to do out of the gate. I think the Falcons would be leery about handing the reins over to a Pierce/Rodgers/Snelling trifecta.

by Dave Choate on Dec 29, 2011 2:44 PM EST up reply actions

I dont see why not

Any of those guys can get “2 yards and a cloud of dust” on first down.

by GA-James on Dec 31, 2011 8:06 AM EST up reply actions

Only for a 2nd and a 4th

I don’t see it happening. I wish we could trade coaches but abe might be on the trading block as well.

by pierre02 on Dec 28, 2011 7:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Trading Turner would make sense, I agree

But the market for running backs is almost non-existent: decent RBs are a dime a dozen in the NFL nowadays.

Remember the Saints trading Reggie Bush? Here’s what they got in return:

“Sean Payton confirmed the deal, which sends reserve safety Jonathon Amaya to New Orleans and also involves an exchange of undisclosed draft picks.”

I’d imagine the Falcons would get a better return than that, but you get the picture.

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by TurnerTheBurner on Dec 28, 2011 8:35 PM EST reply actions

No way Turner gets us a 2nd rounder.

3rd round maybe but more than likely a 4th round pick from who? the Browns? Holmgren has no love of RBs at all and with him calling the shots the Browns are more likely to either A) resign Hillis given his production the last couple of weeks or B) draft someone with that 4th round pick so they don’t have to pay much. The more likely end to Turner’s time in Atlana will be that he gets cut before any roster bonus is due and they roll into next season with Snelling and Rodgers while spending Turner’s cap space on signing draft picks or hunting new tackles for the O line.

by Falcons Fan in WA on Dec 28, 2011 8:58 PM EST reply actions

With the way the league runs now.

Quality RB are a dime a dozen. You can find the DeMarco Murray’s and Arian Foster’s of the league with Undrafted Free Agents.

Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World

by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Dec 28, 2011 11:12 PM EST reply actions

If this were true

And I think it’s a big if, because I think Snelling is more likely to go than Turner at this point. I could see maybe a 3rd rounder at best. He has obviously slowed down, and has a ton of touches over the last 4 years. It would have to be a team who is really desperate for a proven power runner.

With that said, I would make a hard run at Forte. Chicago gave him the run around this year with his contract, and he came inches away from a SERIOUS knee injury. You have to consider there could be some bad blood now because of that. I think flying forte out here and showing him an organization that takes care of it’s players, and one that has a lot of cap room for the next few years, would be an enticing offer. Now forte isn’t exactly a power runner, but is in-between Turner and Quizz.

We could always find a power runner late in the draft or UDFA. And with an improved line, any half decent back could run short yardage.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Dec 30, 2011 2:49 PM EST reply actions

I think in reality at

Best they would only get maybe a 3rd rounder and a 6th rounder for him since he would be 30 now if he was a few years younger than maybe they get more for him.

by falconpower on Dec 30, 2011 6:32 PM EST reply actions

At best, a third rounder

And more likely, a 4th or 5th. However, I still think it could be worth it. I believe Snelling and Rodgers would fill in nicely and both are much better pass catching backs, which actually adds a bit more to the offense.

We need to start building for the future and that means reclaiming some draft picks. We need long term answers at TE, DE and OL. Some of that can be fixed in free agency, but that costs money. Our best bet is to find talent in the late rounds where you get great value for the money.

Also, I would not be surprised to see us trade a big name to get some decent picks. I could see Dunta being put on the block, with the number of promising CB prospects we have.

by The DW on Dec 31, 2011 12:20 PM EST reply actions

I would not object to putting Dunta out there….

by TheJerit on Jan 7, 2012 1:42 AM EST up reply actions

Unless the offer is fairly enticing, I’d rather us keep Turner around. The guy has been solid (he’s frackin 3rd in the nfl in rushing yrds) for us over the years and I don’t think his performance will decrease so dramatically in that time span that we can’t wait till then to use a good draft pick. Especially with Quizz and Snelling (hopefully he can stay around) around, they’ll help give Turner the rest he needs and hopefully help keep him healthy (stay strong groin, stay strong).

christ, that was a lot of parenthesis thrown in there….

by TheJerit on Jan 7, 2012 1:50 AM EST reply actions