Electric Chair

I am well aware of how compensatory picks work, gentlemen. Have any of you followed the Chargers in free agency? Do a search and you will see that AJ Smith RARELY signs free agents. And when he does, it is never the big name/big contract types. Seeing that we have 26 core players signed through 2009, I seriously doubt that AJ is going to buck his current trend of building through the draft and go on a wild spending spree in free agency. I also have little doubt that Turner is going to tear this league up as a feature back. FWIW, I wouldn't want to give a first for him either. But like I said previously, AJ doesn't BS. He has made comments that lead me to believe that anything less than a first THIS YEAR is a deal breaker. Also, like I said previously, I hope we keep him regardless of compensation. But I feel that this whole process has gone too far to come back. Trading for Turner this year will cost (cap wise) a lot less than trying to sign him next year.

For anyone thinking that Turner will walk for nothing next year, you do realize that the NFL grants compensatory picks for free agents that don't resign, right? The Chargers will wind up with a 3rd rounder if they decide to keep Turner and let him walk after the upcoming season. Anything less than that as a possible trade is just plain laughable. AJ Smith doesn't BS. He is BY FAR the best GM in the NFL right now. As Bills Fans, you should know this guys eye for talent. Regardless of what anyone wants to think, AJ is in the catbirds seat. There are AT LEAST three teams bidding on Turner as we speak, so anything less than a first is going to fall on deaf ears at Charger Park. Forget swapping picks- it ain't happening. AJ has stated publicly that if the price isn't right, he will let MT walk next year without compensation (aside from the compensatory 3rd round pick). San Diego is built to win a Super Bowl NOW. They have no reason to sell off players on the cheap, as a Michael Turner could mean the difference if the unspeakable happened and LT were injured. The Chargers WILL get a #1 should they decide to trade him. If you don't want that #1 to be a Bills pick, so be it. I will say that the guy is the REAL DEAL, and part of what makes him attractive is the fact that he has proven to be a pro's pro off the field as well as on. The guy is a consummate team player, hard worker, model citizen, ROLE MODEL. The team that winds up with him is going to be very happy. Personally, as a Chargers Fan, I hope we keep him. The guy is the ULTIMATE insurance policy to the best back in the NFL. Either way, I feel MT's immediate future will be decided within the next few days. Good luck to the Bills in '07.